Everyday Disciple

Be One, Make One.

Walking through Pain

Walking through Pain

Did you know that the Cape Buffalo is considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa to hunt? I have a good friend who just returned from an African hunt and was bestowing his wisdom to me on the African culture and species. He spoke specifically about the Cape Buffalo, and I found it intriguing, so of course I went down the rabbit hole and researched all I could find on the interesting animal. Their main predators are usually lions, hyenas, large Nile crocodiles, and of course humans.
Modeling Leadership

Modeling Leadership

Jesus did not invite the 12 disciples to a once a week meeting. He invited them into His daily life (and ultimately into His Kingdom and mission)!! So, the original 12 followed, watched, and experienced all of Jesus, and then we subscribe to a once-a-week, 60-90 minute meeting at a coffee shop or with a group as we make disciples? Help us all! In order to be an effective disciple-maker, I must...
Embracing the “Not what I wanted, planned or dreamed” Moments of Life.

Embracing the “Not what I wanted, planned or dreamed” Moments of Life.

“I am so sorry!” I said as I swallowed the lump in my throat. My friend told me their marriage was having an incredibly difficult time. Their spouse had found another and was not wanting to work on things. A myriad of emotions crashed through my mind and heart as my friend said, “This is not what I wanted, planned, or dreamed.
Foundational Transparency

Foundational Transparency

I was recently asked, “How does your transparency as a leader matter?” As I wrestled with the answer, I concluded that transparency is not just one little component that contributes to healthy leadership, rather it’s a foundational piece. In leadership you assume the responsibility of modeling certain behaviors. Here at RLMT we often state, “The disciple you are, determines the disciples you make.”
The Disciple-Making Family

The Disciple-Making Family

Too often, strategy remains in the clouds and never touches the people on the ground. I'm not saying our church strategies are holistically ineffective, but that without proper intentionality and resolve, the impact may never reach the people we are trying to serve. This is the ministry trap that all church leaders must resist; we become so corporate that we lose sight of people in the crowds. If we aren't careful, I would contend that...
Father On! How to call younger disciples to a level of greater maturity

Father On! How to call younger disciples to a level of greater maturity

“So, I was reading this book by Michael Foster and Dominic Bnonn Tennant called, It’s Good to Be a Man. It was interesting. He said that in Christianity there are something like two generations of literal or functional “clueless bastards.” I said this quickly because I knew the term I used sounded incredibly derogatory, but the phrase...
Let’s Be More Imitators Than Innovators

Let’s Be More Imitators Than Innovators

Many pastors, leaders and church goers gaze beyond the scriptures to find ideas or strategies to make disciples. Why? What seems to be celebrated or gaining the most attention by the church are those with the most innovative ideas. Over 23 years of ministry I often see the momentum of the collective church body shift to a new curriculum or model of ministry.
The Value of Connectedness

The Value of Connectedness

I remember the day my wife and I met with the pastor of the church we were attending. I asked for an appointment to speak with him, knowing I had this longing in my heart for “more”. More of “what” I didn’t really know. I just knew at that time, discipleship in my life was nonexistent. So, I asked him if “there was more to this walk with Jesus?” He replied, “Nope. Just keep coming to church on Sundays” while he was simultaneously checking his watch every couple of minutes, like he had something better to do.
Relationships with the Unchurched

Relationships with the Unchurched

Cultivating relationships with unchurched people is paramount in our calling to be disciples that make disciples. For my wife and me, the task of engaging relationally with unchurched people can at times seem daunting, draining, and discouraging. At these times, we often reflect on what it was like to be unchurched ourselves, and the profound impact the church has made on our eternity, current lives, and relationships. So, how does one begin engaging with the unchurched?
Follow Me As I Follow Christ

Follow Me As I Follow Christ

Just as Jesus modeled for Peter, James, and John by drawing them close, inviting to his inner circle, Paul replicated with his invitation to Timothy. Similarly, we too must model for those we have apprentice in our small groups. As a disciple maker I want my apprentice to reproduce what he sees me do. So, it is extremely important that I am intentional with my invitation and modeling the fundamentals of disciple making in those relational environments.
A Loving Environment

A Loving Environment

Jesus Built a Culture Around Him Primarily Driven by Love I wonder what people's first thought is when they read the words, “driven by love”. I was curious and googled, “driven by love” and to no surprise, it was all about self. There is a lot our culture today has to say about love and being driven by love but to create a loving environment for the sake of relational discipleship, there is only one resource you need - God’s Word! It’s Jesus' method and model.
Get Creative!

Get Creative!

Wednesdays are my favorite night of the week. I host and lead a small group of ladies on Wednesdays each week, and it completely fills me up every single time. We eat dinner, catch up, dive deep into the Word, and discuss what God has put on our hearts. It is a space to gather and spiritually, relationally, and emotionally grow. It’s beautiful to be a part of a group that loves each other well by praying and doing life together. With only an hour and a half, we make the most of our time. It can be challenging to
Why Build Relational Environments?

Why Build Relational Environments?

I want you to think about the five most impactful sermons you have heard. What were they? Go head; I will give you about 3 minutes…. Now …. Tell me about the five people who have most shaped who you are today? What was their impact on your life? (This can be either positive or challenging impact or both.) I am betting you had an easier time
Where I Longed To Be

Where I Longed To Be

Seasons of transition and change are never easy, and this season began with my wife and I feeling released from our old church: the church where we thought we’d grow old. We were both on staff at that church, and we had been dreaming of a much more intentionally relational approach to ministry. We had been a part of so many churches growing up, and most of them felt similar: members attend until they hopefully begin to serve on the weekend or...