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"Today’s episode will help us understand the key barriers to disciple-making movements in North America and explore practical ways to equip, empower, and release believers for Gospel multiplication."

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Why Disciple-Making Movements Aren't Flourishing in North America (Part 2): Equipping and Releasing

In this continuation of our series, we delve deeper into the reasons behind the absence of widespread disciple-making movements in North America. Join us as we explore the importance of equipping and releasing the priesthood of all believers, the pitfalls of a consumeristic mindset in churches, and the danger of outsourcing spiritual responsibilities to professional ministers. Through vivid analogies and real-life examples, we discuss the significance of shifting from control to empowerment and the need to foster a culture of intentional disciple-making. Learn how to turn up the dial on radical prayer and fasting, sow abundant seeds of the gospel, and embrace Jesus' model of multiplying disciples. Don't miss this invigorating conversation aimed at awakening the sleeping giant of the church in North America.

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Key Takeaways 

00:00 Introduction to Part Two: Disciple Making Movements

01:43 Equipping and Releasing the Priesthood

02:12 Challenges in Traditional Church Settings

04:43 Empowering the Congregation

06:53 Jesus' Model of Discipleship

07:48 Sports Analogies and Ministry

10:45 The Problem with Professional Ministry

15:55 The Need for a Disciple Making Culture

17:57 The Potential of the Church

19:47 Leaning on Family and Faith

20:57 Surrendering Control for God's Movement

22:56 Confidence in the Gospel and Integrity

24:01 The Role of Leaders and Discipleship

27:33 Releasing Control and Empowering Others

33:58 The Importance of Influence Over Authority

39:10 Recap and Final Thoughts

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Episode 4: Josh and Jason – Tackling Disciple-Making Challenges in North America

Josh Howard and Jason Ishmael unpack why disciple-making movements struggle in North America and explore actionable solutions. They break down four key barriers to these movements while offering encouragement and insights for church leaders and members.

Introduction: Picking Up Where We Left Off

Josh and Jason revisit the topic of disciple-making, comparing its limited growth in North America to thriving movements worldwide. They recap the previous episode, where they covered the importance of radical prayer, fasting, and sowing the Gospel abundantly, setting the stage for the next two barriers.

The Priesthood of All Believers

The third barrier? A reluctance to empower everyday Christians. Josh critiques the consumer mindset in many churches, where believers show up to “be fed” instead of stepping into their roles as ministers of reconciliation. Jason drives this home with a practical analogy: Christians often outsource discipleship like hiring a plumber—leaving the work to pastors. Josh underscores that every believer is called to be an ambassador for Christ, not a bystander.

Bridging the Church-Layperson Divide

Jason shares a story about a staff member who downplays his title to connect better with non-believers—highlighting the disconnect between church leaders and their congregations. Josh emphasizes that globally, disciple-making movements prioritize equipping and releasing believers, a strategy underutilized in North America.

Leadership as Coaches, Not Stars

Josh shifts focus to church leadership, pointing to Ephesians 4:11-12. Leaders aren’t meant to be the “star players” but coaches training others to spread the Gospel. This redefines success for leaders, putting the spotlight on equipping the congregation.

Breaking Structural and Cultural Barriers

Josh and Jason critique how many American churches resemble assembly lines, churning out attendees rather than true disciples. Professionalized ministry often burns out leaders and sidelines congregants. Less than 5% of American churches have a functional disciple-making culture, they note, calling for structural change.

Surrendering Control

The fourth barrier is leadership's unwillingness to relinquish control. Josh recounts a pastor's fear of losing members if they empowered congregants to plant churches. Jason and Josh advocate for leaders to celebrate when members are sent out, even if it means letting go.

Practical Steps for Change

Jason emphasizes that growth in faith requires significant responsibility. Josh adds that disciple-making can’t be an efficiency-driven process—it demands intentional equipping of every believer.

Vision for Multiplication

The episode closes with a hopeful vision: churches as launch pads sending believers into their communities. This multiplication model has the power to transform neighborhoods and cities, making a lasting impact.

A Mindset Shift

Josh and Jason challenge leaders to move from focusing on retention to releasing. True success, they argue, is celebrating when members flourish in disciple-making—even if it means they move on to other ministries.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Josh wraps up with a recap of the four barriers to disciple-making: lack of prayer and fasting, insufficient Gospel sharing, failure to equip believers, and resistance to relinquishing control. They encourage listeners to subscribe, share feedback, and connect with Discipleship.org for support in building disciple-making churches.

This episode is both a reality check and a rallying cry for church leaders and members to embrace a transformative, outward-focused approach to discipleship.