Transformational Discipleship
Transformational Discipleship is Boring
Transformational ministries will not save the day. These are not grand plans or new ways to do church. These are small, pebble-sized efforts that build momentum. Each ministry serves a need. Each ministry aligns with the church’s mission. Ministries are created that blur the edges of church and community.
Examples of transformational ministries include a regular community potluck for senior citizens, community-wide religious services such as Ash Wednesday or a candle-lit Taize contemplative service, after-school tutoring, a dinner church for young families, an after-school art program, a community garden, and a summer mural painting project for youth. Every ministry should live at the “Good Fit” intersection of church mission and identity, church assets, and the needs and pains of the local community. These ministries are not grand initiatives. Every ministry is a tiny drop in the bucket. Together, the pebbles fill our cup.
Experimental
Transformational discipleship opportunities are small experiments. These ministries are lay-led. A commanding pastor with a big vision is not required for, and may even get in the way of, lay experimentation and growth. Transformational ministries are driven by small groups of laity interested in a particular ministry. A church able to support many small transformational ministries will itself be transformed as the church becomes re-knit into the larger community.
Love the Church
Building transformational discipleship opportunities is a labor of love. It is missionary work. It is work we must do together.
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