Making the DiscipleShift In Your Church | Jim Putman

Jim Putman, a seasoned pastor and communicator, talks about the understanding and practice of discipleship. Putman expresses his concern regarding the current state of discipleship in modern churches. He suggests that discipleship has moved towards a more informational than relational way, and strayed towards a more programmed direction than a purpose-driven practice, focusing on gathering churchgoers rather than deploying devoted disciples.

Putman suggests five significant shifts to move discipleship from a surface-level, programmed entity to a more profound, Jesus-oriented discipline. These shifts include a transition from reaching to making disciples, from informing to equipping disciples, from a program-led mission to a purposeful journey, from simple activities to building relationships, and from accumulating to deploying disciples. He emphasizes that these shifts are crucial for the advancement and effectiveness of the disciple-making mission of the church.

Discussing pastoral/ministerial posts, Putman argues that most people in these roles often isolate themselves, turning their ministry into a lonely and exhaustive journey. He advocates for an approach where church leaders actively engage in relationships, and not allow the insecurities and demands of their position to push them into self-imposed isolation.

Speaking about church governance, Putman insists that allowing a majority rule can have the immature members dictate the tone of the church, which can have harmful effects. In contrast to this, he suggests a well-balanced church, actively encouraging and engaging each type of gift present among the members, leading to healthy growth and spiritual maturity.

An important part of the episode revolves around developing relationships. Putman advises those in ministry to prioritize their relationship with Christ and work on their personal discipleship journey before leading others on theirs. He challenges ministry leaders to dare to be vulnerable, share their struggles, and open their lives to others, fostering mutual support and encouragement in the faith.

This episode provides a completely fresh perspective on discipleship, calling on church leaders to reconsider their approach towards making disciples. The focus should be more on organic, relational spiritual growth, and less on programs or stringent methodologies. The ultimate goal, as implied by Putman, should be to leave an imprint of the life and teachings of Jesus on believers, getting them to transition from mere observers to proactive followers. The call is clear - venture into uncomfortable territories, seek growth and transformation and remember, discipleship is rooted more in personal relationships than in organized programs or strategies.

Key Takeaways
00:00 Meet Jim Putman
00:40 Discussing the Book 'Disciple Shift'
01:04 Understanding the Five Shifts
02:37 The Importance of Relationship in Discipleship
03:20 The Challenges of Staying on Course
04:51 The Role of Relationship in Leadership
08:49 The Disconnect in Church Methodology
11:08 The Struggles of Pastors and the Need for Relationship
14:14 The Importance of Discipleship in the Church
18:45 The Role of Relationship in Discipleship
27:51 The Pace of Discipleship
28:41 Understanding Different Learning Styles and Pace in Discipleship
29:38 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Discipleship
31:20 The Challenges of Being an Introverted Pastor
32:21 The Shift from Accumulating to Deploying in Ministry
35:15 The Importance of Teamwork in Church Leadership
36:13 The Importance of Balance in Church Leadership
37:39 The Dangers of One-Dimensional Churches
39:56 The Importance of Submission in Discipleship
48:28 Conclusion: The Importance of Being a Disciple Before Making Disciples
49:24 The Importance of Honesty and Vulnerability in Discipleship


Check out our NEW Disciple Shift Ebook
https://discipleship.org/shop/discipl...

Check out the entire book Disciple Shift
https://discipleship.org/shop/discipl...

Join Jim Putman at our national Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture: https://discipleship.org/national-dis...