Disciple Making Culture (feat. Kerry Cox & Robert Cox)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the essential principles and practices for creating and maintaining a thriving, disciple-making church culture, emphasizing intentionality, accountability, and the power of community.

"Disciple Making Culture" is an in-depth episode focusing on the journey and principles behind creating a thriving, disciple-making church culture. The conversation begins with the speakers, a father and son duo who planted a church in 2004 near St. Louis, sharing their experiences of church growth and the subsequent planting of other churches. A pivotal moment comes when a mentor, Bobby, recognizes the importance of their deliberate culture and urges them to protect it.

The speakers emphasize the distinction between a church with disciple makers and a disciple-making church. They outline key principles, starting with crystallizing what it means to be a disciple and ensuring all church leaders are on the same page. They argue that a clear, biblical definition of discipleship aids in shaping a culture where making disciples is central.

Following this, they stress the importance of integrating discipleship from the very beginning of the conversion process. They describe a structured approach where new believers are taken through studies to ingrain the principles of discipleship deeply from the start, emphasizing that every member is expected to be a disciple and a disciple maker.

The discussion highlights the necessity of accountability and modeling by leaders. Leaders are called to be examples, not just instructors, as hypocrisy among leaders can severely damage the church's mission. Celebrating successes and correcting drifts are also crucial to maintaining the church's culture, ensuring that minor deviations do not become major issues.

The speakers share personal anecdotes to illustrate their points, including the transformation of individuals through dedicated discipleship and the impact of a supportive church culture on their own families. They mention the importance of creating systems and rhythms that reinforce discipleship, using events, retreats, and conferences to keep the focus on disciple-making.

Ultimately, the episode underscores the challenges and rewards of maintaining a disciple-making culture. It highlights that while such a structure might limit church growth in terms of numbers, it profoundly impacts the quality of spiritual growth and commitment among members. The conversation reflects a passionate plea for churches to return to biblical principles of discipleship, emphasizing intentionality, accountability, and the power of community in fostering lasting spiritual transformation.