Making Healthy Disciples:
A New Normal for Church Leaders
Leverage the Assessment That’s Redefining Discipleship
We live in an age overflowing with spiritual resources—but many leaders still feel stuck. People are hurting. Families are fractured. Believers are struggling to connect faith to real life. What if we could measure spiritual formation in a meaningful way—and use that data to catalyze transformation?
The Discipleship Dynamics Assessment™ (DDA) was created by pastors and scholars who felt that same urgency. It introduces a revolutionary approach to disciple-making: one that focuses on biblical outcomes and embraces the dimensional nature of spiritual growth—not just a checklist of classes.
Each individual receives a 12-page personal report, and as a leader, you gain access to a Dashboard summarizing the group’s average scores across five key Dimensions and 35 specific Outcomes. All personal results remain private—what you get is actionable insight into how your people are really growing.
Example scores from a church of 150:
- Spiritual Formation – 57%
- Personal Wholeness – 62%
- Healthy Relationships – 54%
- Vocational Clarity – 67%
- Economics + Work – 72%
One pastor used these insights to adjust his preaching and small group strategy—especially focusing on helping people hear God’s voice. A year later, that church had grown not only in scores but in spiritual health and connection.
As he told his congregation:
“I trust the Holy Spirit and preach the Word—but this tool helped me serve you better. Your participation shaped our direction.”
Why This Matters Now
In today’s world, it’s easy to confuse activity for impact. But God has called His Church to more than attendance and programming. With the right tools, we can measure spiritual fruitfulness, equip every believer for daily Kingdom impact, and redefine what maturity looks like in our congregations.
This isn’t just a better tool—it’s a better framework.
The Vision: Outcomes Before Programs
Discipleship Dynamics aligns with the Great Commission, the Great Commandment, and Jesus’ Great Invitation. At its core, it’s about forming whole-life disciples who are equipped to serve, lead, and live on mission every day.
The Five Dimensions of Whole-Life Discipleship
- Spiritual Formation – Deep intimacy with God shaped by practices and community
- Personal Wholeness – Emotional maturity, healthy sexuality, and a grounded identity
- Healthy Relationships – Empathy, integrity, and wise boundaries with others
- Vocational Clarity – Calling, purpose, and a theology of work beyond Sunday
- Economics + Work – Stewarding influence, finances, and daily work for God’s glory
Spiritual leaders become “Chief Listening Officers,” guiding people toward holistic maturity using shared language and shared goals.
First Steps to Implementation
Step 1: Connect Your Culture with Discipleship Outcomes
We’ll help you align your mission, vision, and values with measurable Outcomes from the DDA. For example:
A value like “spiritual maturity” might map to Outcomes like “praying without ceasing” or “loving the Word.”
A goal like “community impact” might align with “sharing the Gospel” and “caring for the marginalized.”
Step 2: Start with Your Leadership Team
Have your staff or leadership take the Assessment. Use your Group Dashboard to review the results and discuss where to grow next.
Step 3: Choose a Sample Group
You don’t need everyone to take the Assessment to gain meaningful insights. Based on our research and experience, a representative sample gives you an accurate picture.
Recommended participation by group size:
- 50 people → 40 participants
- 100 → 60
- 200 → 100
- 500 → 150
- 1000 → 175
- 5000 → 200
We’ll help you determine the best sample based on your congregation’s size and demographics.
Step 4: Equip and Empower
As scores come in, celebrate strengths and equip leaders in areas of growth. Scores between 40–60 are common—this is not a school grade, but a snapshot of the journey.
Step 5: Repeat and Grow
What Makes This Different
- A proven framework rooted in theology and research
- Designed for whole-life discipleship, not just church programming
- Supports sermons, groups, leadership development, and outreach
- Helps you move from activity to transformation
We’re here to walk with you every step of the way—from determining how many Assessments you need to helping interpret results and design an intervention strategy that moves your mission forward.