GDTSL Vision Statement
“Growing Disciples Through Shared Leadership”
(Voted by GCC Executive Committee, Feb. 24, 2010)
Direct Supervisor: Harold Cunningham · 478.955.6822 (cell)
706.629-7951 ext. 379 · [email protected]
The pastors in Georgia-Cumberland are primarily, not doers of ministry, but trainers and equippers of church members for ministry. Outreach and evangelism are integrated into all aspects of the churches’ programs. Multiplying disciples and churches is the goal. Evangelism is a continuous process that is at the heart of church life, which is missional and incarnational (outwardly focused). Long-time and new members are passionately involved in the discipleship process. Relationships between members and those in the community are the primary dynamic for making new disciples. As new disciples in turn make more disciples, there is a multiplication effect on growth. This also generates the need to plant new churches in an ever increasing expansion of the kingdom of God.
Love
Every day experiences are used to connect with people and to love them as Christ loves. Each member has at least 3 persons in their lives who are not believers whom they love as Christ loves. Through relationships, the members are teaching others about Jesus by living the way He lived (MH 143). The servant model of Jesus, which includes self-sacrifice for unbelievers, is lived out by the members as they seek to “love their neighbors as themselves.” Agape love (I Corinthians 13) is the ideal for all relationships. Adventists are known in the community as good, honest, caring people who can be trusted, and who are always ready to help in times of need. As a result, there is a growing curiosity among some about Christianity and the Bible.
Learn
There are multiple small groups, one-on-one Bible studies, ShareHim meetings, evangelistic meetings, seminars and other processes where interested people are studying the Bible and learning what it really means to be an authentic Christian. Lives are changing and the Holy Spirit is leading honest hearts to a saving relationship with Jesus. As these individuals grow in their experience with Christ, they occasionally visit the worship service and other spiritual times with the church. They are developing some significant friendships with church members (other than those already discipling them). Several are seriously considering baptism as they decide to give their lives to Jesus. Baptismal classes are available for those who decide to move forward in faith.
This interest in Christ is nurtured through mentoring relationships with believers who model a life of genuine discipleship. Strategic events are planned which facilitate growth toward a full commitment to Jesus as Savior.
Live
As believers mature through the Love and Learn phases of discipleship, they begin to live the life of a disciple of Jesus, which includes the practice of spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines are an integral part of the lives of more than 75 % of the members. There is a growing spiritual maturity among the members that includes loving accountability.
The members have discovered their spiritual gifts and minister effectively to those within and without the congregation. New members are growing in these areas of discipleship. Multiple ministries are having a powerful impact on the community, and Seventh-day Adventists are known for their generosity and genuine care for hurting people. New members joyfully find their place in ministry and experience fulfillment in working where God has called them.
Worship is a joyful time of praise to God as testimonies are shared about what God is doing in members’ lives, and how He is using them to reach others.
Lead
Mature members are making disciples as they connect with persons in their web of life whom they can minister to in the Love phase, and thus the cycle of discipleship is ever continuing. In the churches there are simultaneously people who are operating in all four phases of discipleship-Love, Learn, Live, Lead. And new people are constantly joining the cycle through the disciple-making efforts of the members.
Pastors and local leaders form leadership teams based on spiritual gifts and passion for ministry. Using the new paradigm for Discipleship, “Growing Disciples Through Shared Leadership,” churches have at least one fourth of their members who are themselves making disciples for Jesus. This percentage is increasing about ten percent every year. An increasing number of these disciple-makers are younger (under forty years of age), and they are operating in a way so their numbers can multiply. Some churches are served by full-time employed pastors while others are served by missional pastors. Sometimes several churches are grouped together into super districts of 8-10 churches, with a team of full-time employed pastors serving as overseers, equippers, and supporters.
Pastors of the various churches have formed networks for fellowship, encouragement, and training in each others’ churches, again, according to gifts and passion. Churches and pastors do not feel like competitors, but rather rejoice together to see the kingdom of God growing in all parts of the conference.