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Creating an Intentional Disciple-Making Culture | Navigators Church Ministries

In this episode, Steve Tice, the Northeast region director for Navigators Church Ministries, joins senior pastor Cliff McDowell of East New York Church of God to discuss the transformational impact of incorporating an intentional disciple-making culture within churches. They share real-life examples and strategies for fostering disciple-makers who are rooted in their communities. The session highlights the importance of purposeful leaders, having a clear picture of a disciple, pathways for discipleship, practitioners, and monitoring progress. Tune in to hear more about their shared experiences, practical tips, and how to avoid common pitfalls while building such a culture in your own congregation.

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Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:07 Navigators Church Ministries Overview

00:17 Personal and Professional Journey

00:50 Introduction to Cliff McDowell

01:40 Transformational Impact of Disciple Making

02:47 Interactive Session and Prayer

03:33 Recap and Illustration

04:55 Intentional Disciple Making Culture

07:27 Biblical Foundations of Intentional Culture

10:38 Cliff McDowell's Journey and Church Culture

14:17 Intentional Commitments and Changes

15:18 Interactive Table Discussion

17:15 Building Maturity in Church Culture

22:17 Church Planting and Cultural Shifts

24:58 Purposeful Leaders and Discipleship

26:25 A Life-Saving Friendship

27:43 Homegrown Leadership

28:03 Defining Discipleship

29:10 The Four Seasons of Life

32:42 The Pathway for Discipleship

37:50 Building a Culture of Discipleship

39:21 Navigating Challenges in Discipleship

42:41 Adapting to Context and Diversity

45:05 Final Thoughts and Q&A

Resources on Disciple Making Culture 

Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction

Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church

Disciple-Making Culture

In this episode Steve Tice and Cliff McDowell share their experiences with the Navigators organization, focusing on building intentional disciple-making cultures in churches.

Steve, the Northeast regional director for Navigators Church Ministries, opens the discussion by sharing his background as a musician and bi-vocational minister. He and his wife run a music school on Long Island, and with over 35 years of experience, he now attends church services without occupational duties.

Cliff, senior pastor of East New York Church of God, discusses his extensive leadership roles, including a six-year term as vice presiding elder of the National Association of the Church of God. He emphasizes his collaboration with Navigators, impacting churches across New York and beyond.

The session centers on the importance of cultivating an intentional disciple-making culture, which supports disciple-makers embedded in their local contexts. Steve highlights that the discussion will feature real-life examples and allow for audience questions.

He stresses the need for intentional leadership to avoid half-hearted ministry efforts. Citing Bill Mallory’s book "Designed to Flourish," he contrasts intentional cultures with those driven by competing agendas. Steve uses biblical references, including Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, to illustrate how early Christian communities embodied intentionality.

Cliff shares his pastoral journey, detailing how he intentionally shaped his congregation's culture. He reflects on transitioning from a cell church model to a disciple-making church, aided by his bi-vocational experience and trust built within the community.

To encourage table discussions, Steve and Cliff pose reflective questions about participants' church cultures, identifying intentional practices and obstacles. They then explore how mature disciples and intentional cultures support each other, with Cliff sharing his experience of mentoring three men over three years, which strengthened their faith and leadership.

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