05. Preserve: New Member Discipleship Training
Preserve the Harvest
After the joy of the harvest, we must not relax our disciple-making efforts. Jesus called us to make disciples, not mere members. To do so requires that we PRESERVE the harvest through nurture and training after baptism. For the disciple-making process to result in multiplication, we must teach newly baptized church members how to labor for souls. The consumer must become a producer. The one caught by the gospel net must become a fisher of men.
ESTABLISH A NEW MEMBER DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY:
- Elect a personal ministries assistant to serve as discipleship ministry leader (Church Manual, p. 107).
- Budget annually for new member discipleship resources and related expenses.
- Train experienced members to serve as discipleship mentors and assign one or more to each newly baptized member.
- Follow a systematic plan to nurture spiritual habits, train in personal evangelism, and integrate each new member into the life, message, and mission of the church.
- Provide leadership support—prayer, promotion, financial support, and participation.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (Mark 1:17).
"After individuals have been converted to the truth, they need to be looked after.... These newly converted ones need nursing-watchful attention, help, and encouragement“ (Evangelism, p. 351).
"When souls are converted, set them to work at once. And as they labor according to their ability, they will grow stronger" (Evangelism, p. 355).