In our last post we started the discussion of what it would be like to use volunteer mission trips as intentional discipleship tools—not just for those you’re ministering to but also for the team doing ministry. We started to look at Robert Coleman’s The Master Plan of Evangelism and how to apply it to short term missions. Coleman outlines eight methods that he says Jesus used to make disciples. Those methods are selection, association, consecration, impartation, demonstration, delegation, supervision and reproduction. Let’s see how these can be used with missions teams to maximize their discipleship impact.
Selection emphasizes the fact that men, not programs, were Jesus’ method. He selected the twelve and spent time building them up. While He certainly ministered to the multitude, Jesus poured Himself into the twelve disciples. Your mission teams will be comprised of many people over the years, and you are responsible to minister to all of them. But within these groups, you may want to consider having those specifically selected as your focus. In fact, the selection process should precede the trip’s sign ups. Who do you want to intentionally disciple? Who do you want to help take their spiritual development to a new level? Is there someone who you are mentoring? Is there a ministry intern with whom you are working? Seek out these people and invite them to take part in your trips.
Association refers to the fact that Jesus stayed with the disciples. He didn’t just lecture them and send them home. No, He invited them to walk with Him. So now that you have selected those you want to disciple, be sure that you spend time with them during the trip. Let them see what it’s like to run a trip like yours. Invite them to tag along when you meet with national leaders. Do ministry alongside them.
Consecration is what Christ expected from His followers. They needed to obey Him, to be loyal. They didn’t have to be the smartest guys in the world, but they would have to be committed to follow Christ. Before they could be leaders, they first had to be followers. So set the bar with those you are helping disciple. Let them know what is expected of them. Challenge them. Help them develop as great followers so that they one day can be great leaders.
Impartation is what Jesus did every day. He gave Himself away. He poured himself into His followers. Jesus gave up His comfort and time so that He could impact His team. The same must be true of you. You must make sacrifices so that you can pour yourself into others. This may mean staying up late or getting up extra early during the trip so that you can spend one-on-one time with your disciple. It may mean giving up doing certain ministry tasks that you enjoy so that your disciple can do them and learn.
We’ll look at demonstration, delegation, supervision and reproduction in our next post. In the meantime, we welcome your thoughts on the subject. Please join the conversation at the discussion tab at Facebook.com/MinistryTravel or at the Ministry Travel Group on LinkedIn.