I love the point on “decisionism”. I know that it is impossible to say who is really born again after altar calls, and Jesus even warns us against this. However, accepting initial decisions without discipleship is irresponsible. Good discipleship will strengthen those who really were saved, and it will help others to make that final step of surrender who may not have understood what was going on when we lead them through a quick prayer.

Called to ministry vs. to “the ministry” was also good. We need to demystify this because we are all called to ministry. Thanks for the clarity.

Ps. what is the progress on translating your books into Russian?

I agree Ed. I was in an office of a friend & church member. He just found out the bank branch he is manager of is closing. He doesn't know if anything will be offered to him or not. He asked me to pray and commented, something to the effect of God listens to me more than him. We have to transition this ideology for the advancement of the Kingdom

Wow Ed,
some of your points could have come straight from the pages of the book that Al & I currently having published - how weird is that!

Loved it Ed! I've been having some of the same thoughts about church and you have affirmed my convictions. Thanks.

Also, check out the book Sticky Church. It has some good things to say about the whole decisionism vs. disciple making thing. Here's a post I wrote about it: http://stevecorn.com/wordpress/2009/08/harvest/

This is brilliant stuff Ed. Great clarity and very helpful distinctions. Great winds of change blowing and the leadership of people like yourself is very helpful. The challenge for the local church is the change this necessitates. A lot of investment in our old model and roles. Thanks.

Many pastors know these leadership truths, would like implement them, but do not know how.

Through the work of True Course Ministries, we effectively train, coach, and support pastors and congregations in developing this type of leadership and participation in God's mission. We also help to leaders pick up the pieces when "pastors do for people what God called the people to do, all get hurt & the work of God is hindered."

The unique approach of True Course Ministries allows us to walk with pastors and congregations in their development toward this model, regardless of where they may find themselves on the journey. www.truecourseministries.org

Thanks Ed for the very clear presentation! As I was listening to your talk I was thinking about how it would be easier to realign the talk from the pulpit to fit your thoughts on missional leadership (equipping and sending) than to realign the structures of our institutions to actually do the work of equipping and sending. I mean, it is easier to change the mission statement and have a sermon series than to shut down the kids church and reduce the music ministry so people can be freed up to be equipped to do mission.. to go from serving the Sunday ministry to serving the mission...
It would be great if you could share with us steps your church has taken to equip and send, and what has been sacrificed in the process...

Howie, that is a great insight. It is much easier to realign a church than a convention or institution. Also, it is easier to realign a class or small group than an entire church.

Just my opinion here, but for a church to truly be missional, then the DNA of the church must shift from institutional to missional. In nature, DNA is the basic building block of a cell. The "cell" in most churches is its small group structure.

My thinking is that missional DNA must include not only the pulpit, but the leaders of our small groups. People follow their leaders, especially their small group leader. Many if not most laypeople do not think that they can really affect change in their church(like many pastors don't think that they can affect change in their denomination), but if given the opportunity, average laypeople can affect change in their small group.

So I'm saying that a church has truly become missional when the its cell structure, or its smallest common denominator, has become missional. I believe that putting a missional "target" in front of the church's small group leadership is the most effective way to move the entire church into becoming missional.

Mike,

No idea. I signed a form approving it, but don't know who is doing it.

Bob,

Great insight.

Ed