Creating a Disciple-Making Culture
Welcome to the blog space of the Alliance of Reformed Churches. In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been continuing to grow and develop who we are along with welcoming partner congregations. Just this week 20 congregations from California to Pennsylvania, who have applied to join, had congregational votes supervised by their denomination, and who have joined or expect to join the Alliance after their release at the fall classical gatherings, were accepted into the Alliance.
As we’re growing in partner congregation numbers, we’re also growing by learning from those congregations about their journey, their ministry and what they are doing right now to grow as followers of Christ. This learning has us thinking about our future around equipping, encouraging and empowering congregations. So, we’re taking some first steps to introduce you to what we are calling “preferred providers.” These are folks with reformed theology who provide contract ministry services to individual congregations and their leaders. Over the next few blogs, we want to introduce you to Jeff Allen and his Thrive Coaching Network. Each week, we’ll present a leader testimony adn Thrive Coaching Network contributed that journey. Finally, we’ll offer you links that you can follow to “dive in” and discover what Thrive offers.
We believe God has called us to provide introductions between congregations seeking to follow God more fully and people who have the calling to help them follow that calling. Let’s take our first steps together as we hear and are challenged by what God is doing in the ministry of Jeff Allen. As you read these, feel free to send feedback to Dan Ackerman about whether these blogs are helpful and how we can serve you further as we think about and develop a “preferred provider” approach to ministry.
TESTIMONIAL | Hudsonville, MI
Hear from Shawn Hulst, lead pastor at Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville, MI
During the experiences of 2020, we realized our congregation was focused on “making worshippers and students” of God’s Word. That’s a good start—but over time, we had stalled-out in that position.
Refusing the status quo of cultural Christianity, our leadership was moved by the words of John 15:8: “By this, My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” Where was the fruit? How do you make and bear much fruit?
The answer began to clarify when we partnered with Jeff Allen and the Thrive Coaching Network. His heart for Jesus and his passion for making disciples who make disciples immediately caught our attention—and we haven’t looked back. Jeff has provided Bible-based instruction and practical application that has graciously coached our church staff and leadership in “being” and “making” disciples. And, it has been fun!
Obviously, we are all called to worship the one true God! We are also called to invite and train up others to do the same. Don’t stall out. Discover what it means to be a true follower of Jesus in both worship and discipleship!
DIVE DEEPER
It was a Saturday in February in Monument Colorado. On that day over lunch, I shared about the journey of our church and some of the obstacles and “ruts in the road” that seemed to keep getting us stuck as a church. My friend Dave looked at me from across the table and said “Jeff, it is hard to lead others to a place you have never been before”. Challenge isn’t always fun, but in the right culture - a disciple-making culture, the combination of Challenge & Truth calibrated with Grace shapes and transforms us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Core Practices of Following Jesus
Are you looking to create a disciple-making culture in your context? Check out Creating a Vibrant Culture video, the first step and the first lesson in the Core Practices of Following Jesus.