About
Purpose/Goal
The purpose/goal of this web site is to describe a process for evolving an existing church into an Intentional Disciple Making (IDM) church with the purpose of sustainability for meeting Jesus’ command of Matthew 28:19-20 and John 15:8 (By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples {talmidim} ESV).” I have entitled the web site Church: Intentional Discipleship Practices. The steps (practices) that make up a sustainable process are derived from practices given in the Bible (a Biblical perspective) and primarily from the New Testament.
By sustainability, I mean a church management/operating process (practices) based on obedience to Jesus’ teachings and commands that become the basic DNA (basic culture) of a church which are sustainable into future generations even when the present leaders have passed. These practices are oriented toward an existing church but are also applicable to a new church which has less cultural hinderances. The practices are Biblical based and not limited to a specific geographic location. They are principally for the USA culture but can be used in other locations modified for that specific culture.
Background
In the USA the Gospel is primarily taught as a two-step process: part #1- become a born-again believer and be baptized (an experience we all love) and part #2- (optional) develop as a mature adult disciple of Jesus that can reproduce disciple-makers for Christ. The second requires intentionally, disciple and accountability. In the USA our present church culture does not see #2 as being very important and this comes from the training of our religious professionals.
Today our USA churches contain many who “follow” Jesus but have never had a “born again/conversion” experience. Many may be “born again believers” but have never been intentionally train to develop as adult disciples (talmidim) that can reproduce disciples for Jesus. The goal of this web site to bring clarity to what it means to be an adult disciple (talmid) of Christ. This site is meant to compliment the work of others such as Discipleship.org, Renew.org. and many other sites. Its intent is orthopraxy or the application and practice of “making disciples”.
Personal Background
My name is Dean Patterson and I reside in Jefferson City, Missouri. I am in my late 80’s and have been a “born-again” believer since age 37. I am married and have three children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. I was discipled initially by a man associated with New Life (Knoxville, Tn.) in 1975 and he embedded in me the “basics”. Actually, he helped me to develop new habits through discipline, intentionality and accountability.
My wife and I became born again believers at approximately the same time and together we were discipled through a two-year discipleship training process in the 1980-1983 time period. Since 1983 my wife and I have been discipling young couples, young women/men and young children in small groups. This web site is my understanding of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit has embedded in me as well as 40 plus years of discipling men and women in seven different churches.
Besides the Holy Spirit and God’s Word several people have been very influential in discipling me through direct contact or their books written on the subject of Discipleship. They include: John Morris, Glenn Baker, John Altpeter, Ron Oertli, Dr. Howard Hendricks, Bill Hull, Dr. Jim DiRaddo, Greg Ogden and the many that I (we) have discipled over the last 40 years. My appreciation and thanks go out to these men as they have helped me to refine and apply discipleship training principles. But the honor always goes to my Savior, the Holy Spirit and to my Father and their forbearance with me as my wife and I have tried to be obedient.
Assumptions
One basic assumption – that you accept the Bible as the inerrant word of God. (2nd Timothy 3:16-17)
Would Appreciate your Comments or Questions:
I would appreciate your comments or questions. I cannot say I will answer immediately but I will answer. You can leave comments or questions at the following emails.