"Navigating" in Oregon

Learning to come alongside . . .

Since joining The Navigators three years ago, Jack and Judy have been working with an incredible team in Portland, Oregon, learning to navigate the waters of Church Discipleship Ministry (CDM). This ministry was birthed to serve the local church in becoming more effective and intentional, especially in the areas of discipleship and outreach to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment!

We have the privilege of meeting with interested local pastors and their staff to do some creative brainstorming, hoping for a dialogue of discovery. We bring a variety of resources in our tool box. Experience has taught us first to lay—or strengthen—the foundations of Intimacy with Christ and of learning to work as a Team, which is accomplished through Assessment. After that, we hope to provide support to refine and focus on the church's Mission and on the areas of Maturity, Outreach, and Leadership Training.

So how do we "come alongside?" VERY CAREFULLY! The origin of that phrase is nautical, and if you've ever tried coming alongside another craft in rough water, with both boats pitching, to have a conversation or tie-up to each other, you know this process has its challenges!

A call from a local pastor often means they recognize the need for a CHANGE somewhere. That's the first step, and it's exciting! But it's also a place of fear and tension. Let's face it—CHANGE IS HARD! The most obvious learning curve for us has been the need for a wholistic approach in this ministry. There is no simple cookie-cutter formula to navigate the waves and sometimes choppy waters inherent in every local church. We are learning that we need to discover each church's spiritual and emotional geneology—her past, as well as her present reality, before we can hope to help her grow into the future. We pray and work toward a healthy transformed staff.

As you can imagine, this means we are continually in that process on a personal level as well! Ouch! But it's good. Humility and vulnerability are proving to be the vehicle of grace we need, and the great leveler as we learn to "come alongside."

Two great resources for the Intentional Disciplemaking Church can be found at The Navigators' CDM site and an IDN website developed by David Durey .

We'd love to tell you more about this exciting ministry, so send us an email to get the conversation started.

Navigators are expected to raise their full personal financial support. To partner with us financially, you may donate online, or call 866-568-7827 or 719-594-2327 (donations only).

Thanks for your support!