What Pastors Say
We decided that we needed to hire a full time person in the area of discipleship. We were able to have a Navigator, Dr. Bob Ewell, move here from Colorado Springs. He has done a super job of developing this ministry for us. Currently we have more men and women involved in discipleship training than ever before in the history of the church.
John Ed Mathison
Senior Minister, Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, Montgomery, AL
For several years, I have been searching for the appropriate time and method for introducing and developing an intentional disciplemaking plan at Bethany. To my great joy, Tim Ferrell has come along at just the right time (God’s timing) to assist me in making this dream happen.
At first, I was not sure what it would be like to work with Tim. I
had never known anyone in The Navigators, and he had never worked with
a United Methodist pastor.
I have discovered that we share a deep love for Jesus and for His
church. I am learning a lot from Tim – from his experience and wisdom,
as well as from his attitude toward ministry.
He has inspired me to take time to be with individuals, that there
is great value to investing in the few. He listens well, and seems to
know when to ask questions, when to offer information and when to push
a little bit.
We are in the process of putting flesh on the vision for building disciples of Jesus at Bethany.
My recent trip to Glen Eyrie for the National Conference of The
Navigators Church Discipleship Ministry (theme: Developing
Disciplemaking Communities) gave me tools to go deeper.
I am grateful for what I have already received through Tim. And, I
am especially thankful for his care and personal support as we walk the
path of faith together.
I am grateful to the Lord for this partnership with the Church Discipleship Ministry.
Rod Miller
Senior Pastor, Bethany Church, Ellicott City, MD
The challenges of becoming an intentional disciple-making church are daunting. CDM staff have played a critical role with us, from initial vision years ago, to effective resources, to thoughtful consultation.
Though many CDM materials are central to our approach, it's really a
rather eclectic system that fits who we are. Our local CDM staff works
well with that. His heart is to help us make disciples of Jesus Christ.
This has freed us to rely heavily on his broad experience and training.
For this we are grateful. Time and again he has helped us stay the
course when we might have wandered off.
Bernie Powell
Senior Pastor, Free Evangelical Fellowship, Easton, MA
A church survey revealed that we were weak in leadership development
and hospitality because we had plateaued at 500 members and were
beginning to lose people.
We were blessed to discover CDM and Brother Sam Hershey. Sam came
and worked with us beginning with an honest appraisal from his years of
experience.
It was eye opening to discover that what were once strengths were
actually now impediments, like our building and certain ministries.
We found that we were understaffed both professionally and in
volunteer personnel. Sam showed us that our infrastructure could not
support the demanding ministry we were running.
The decision was made to pay the price for change and become an intentional disciple-making church.
Over the next six months, we worked on a new mission statement,
identified our core values, and developed a maturity profile (what does
a mature follower of Jesus look like?).
We have been in transition and have had some staff and board
changes. It has not been without bumps and bruises, but it is slowly
beginning to work, as we are developing our 2:7 small groups, callings
and giftings training, and leadership teams.
I have been preaching on our mission statement and core values with
a printed handout for message notes in the bulletin every week.
This has brought the mission and purpose of our ministry before the
people every week. It has moved it from the staff / board planning to
the congregation and we have been pleased to see a general overall
buy-in.
The ambiguity of purpose and direction is greatly reduced and I can
honestly testify that there is more unity now than ever. We are just
beginning to see the fruit. It is more demanding to continue to work on
the changes, but I’m convinced that we now have the tools and clarity
for our future development. Sam Hershey has been more than a
consultant; he has been a real teammate and friend.
Ed Redfern
Senior Pastor, Oroville Church of the Nazarene, Oroville, CA
Through the ministry of CDM Navigators, Our Redeemer congregation
for the first time in its life has made a commitment to intentional
disciplemaking. We had never understood what being a disciplemaking
church was about. As pastor, I have been mentored and coached by a CDM
staff man to grow into being a disciplemaking pastor and leading my
church leaders and congregation into being a disciplemaking church.
We are now a very different congregation. This fall we have over 30 adult Bible studies being offered. We also have over 200 adults in Bible studies on Sunday morning. Our congregation has decided that being a disciplemaking church is the heart of our identity, and all our church leaders and staff are constantly seeking how to lead as disciplemaking leaders. Through the ministry of the Navigator CDM Staff, many other congregations are being impacted through this ministry with church leaders.
Ray Scheck
Senior Pastor, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Damascus, MD
