So many eras have come and gone during my forty-plus years of pastoral ministry (plus my two decades as a pastor’s kid before that).
As I mentioned in my book, De-sizing the Church, we’ve seen waves of Revivalism (1960s-70s), Strategizing (80s-00s), and Activism (10s-present and beyond). In this guest article, Sam Peters shares insights about one of the underlying biblical principles that we often forget while we’re keeping busy trying to figure out the latest trend—that true pastoring starts and ends with discipleship.
— Karl Vaters
When I sit down with churches to talk about revitalizing their mission, I often start by asking a straightforward question: “Why is your church attendance declining?” The answers come quickly and predictably:
“Younger families aren’t committed enough.” “Kids are too busy with weekend sports.” “The pandemic changed everything.” “We just don’t have the resources.”
While these may be real challenges, they are not the root cause of the decline we see. These are just symptoms of a deeper problem: a failure to truly make disciples of Jesus Christ.
What if we stopped blaming circumstances and took a hard look at whether we’re actually fulfilling the mission of disciple-making, or just keeping ourselves busy with church activities that miss the mark?
At this point, some of you might be tempted to stop reading. It’s far easier to blame outside factors than to face the hard truth: we’ve been deceiving ourselves. But if you’re still with me, I want to challenge the way we currently think about disciple-making and help refocus on what it truly means in today’s context.
What Does It Mean to Make Disciples?
First, let’s clarify what “making disciples” really entails. It’s not just about leading someone to a moment of faith in Christ—that’s only the beginning. The real question is: How do we help them continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ? True disciple-making means walking alongside them, mentoring them, and helping them build a strong foundation in their faith.
This kind of growth requires more than just a Sunday school class or a sermon on Sunday morning. While these are valuable, they aren’t enough on their own. Helping others grow in Christ means we have to be willing to grow ourselves and bring others with us on that journey.
Disciple-making starts with being a disciple—living a life that reflects Jesus and inspires others to do the same. It means practicing spiritual disciplines, praying with and for each other, and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us in furthering the Kingdom work of Christ. It’s about a deeper commitment to living out our faith and helping others do the same.
Signs That Your Church Might Be Missing the Mark
Take a moment to think about the programs and events your church runs regularly. Who are they really for? If we’re honest, many of them are designed with us in mind—for our comfort, our enjoyment, and our sense of community. But how often do we consider whether these programs truly reach the unchurched or those who have drifted away from faith?
It’s not that these programs started without purpose—they may have been quite effective at one time. But perhaps they’ve outlived their usefulness in their current form, and we’re just reluctant to let them go because, well, “that’s the way we’ve always done them.”
Another common issue is the expectation that disciple-making falls solely on the pastor’s shoulders. While pastors have a crucial role, their primary job is to equip the congregation for ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Yet, a recent Barna survey reveals a sobering truth: 39% of Christians aren’t involved in any form of discipleship, and only 33% actively help others grow in faith. Are we really expecting the unsaved and unchurched to just show up on Sunday, hear a sermon, and suddenly commit their lives to Christ? The reality is, many have joined the ranks of the “nones”—those who claim no religious affiliation or faith at all. They aren’t walking through our church doors, and many never will.
A few years ago, I surveyed over 100 churches with an average attendance of fewer than 200 people on Sundays—about 80% had fewer than 50 attendees. What struck me was how busy these churches were, with countless ministries and events on their calendars. But were they truly effective? They seemed to be doing a lot, but the impact was minimal.
Now, take a look at your own church’s calendar or bulletin. Is it packed with events and activities? Ask yourself: How many of these truly reach the community? How many still generate real excitement and engagement? Are the leaders energized, or are they showing signs of burnout?
If you see your church in this description, it might be time to rethink your approach.
The Consequences of Not Making Disciples
We don’t need to look far to see what happens when disciple-making takes a back seat. Every Sunday, the evidence is right in front of us: empty pews where people once sat, and a congregation that feels disconnected and disengaged. The result? A church that has lost its sense of generational continuity. We’ve created a leadership drought because younger generations no longer see the church as a place to find purpose or make a difference.
In our panic over shrinking attendance and dwindling resources, many of us have circled the wagons, hunkering down to “ride it out.” But in our efforts to preserve church “the way we know it,” we’ve become inward-focused, forgetting the mission that Jesus gave us—to go out and make disciples.
This insular mindset has rippled through every aspect of church life. When we neglect disciple-making, we lose our relevance and our influence in the community. And if the church is no longer seen as a vital part of the community, is it any surprise that people don’t find it necessary to be a part of us?
It’s time to face the truth: without a commitment to making disciples, our influence wanes, our community impact fades, and our relevance diminishes. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Let me share a few ways to change our focus.
Five New Ways to Make Disciples in Today’s Culture
1. Embrace Digital Discipleship
Technology isn’t just an addition to our lives; it’s woven into the fabric of today’s worship culture. This shift began long before the pandemic, but 2020 accelerated it in ways we couldn’t have imagined. When churches were forced to close their doors, many scrambled to adapt. But in my church, we were already online. One week, I was preaching from the pulpit; the next, I found myself in my office, surrounded by three cameras, my computer, and a guitar. Traditional worship as we knew it had changed overnight. As I said in my most recent book, Rebuilding Stronger, “worship is not corralled by four walls and a clock”.
My 2-year-old grandson will never know a time in his life that he can’t push a button on a phone or computer and talk to “pawpaw” and see his face in real time. The same expectation now exists in the church—people want to connect, learn, and grow in their faith using the technology that is already at their fingertips. In addition to “faith”, “praise”, and “worship”, our vocabulary needs to include words like “check-in”, “text”, “hashtag” and “QR Codes”.
But the key isn’t just to use technology; it’s to use it with intentionality. Make discipleship the core purpose behind every digital effort. Whether it’s a Sunday sermon, a virtual small group, or an online mentoring session, ensure that making disciples is at the heart of it all.
So, how do you do this? I cover this in more depth in my consulting and in Rebuilding Stronger, but here are a few practical steps: think in terms of interactive engagement. Believe it or not, you can create deeper connections online than you often can in a Sunday service. Start by forming an online hospitality team to engage with your digital attendees in real time. Ask questions, encourage participation, and invite responses. I frequently ask our online community to share their experiences or comments during my messages—it makes them feel seen, valued, and included.
And don’t let the connection end when the service does. Follow up with a personal message, text, or email to those who attended online. A simple gesture can go a long way in making someone feel part of a genuine community.
2. Focus on Relationship-Driven Ministry
To bridge the growing gap between the church and the community, we must move beyond formal programs and prioritize authentic, meaningful relationships. It’s time to ask ourselves: How can we create real opportunities for connection, both within our church and in the wider community? This goes far beyond the Sunday morning gatherings we’re used to. It’s about equipping and empowering our members to be disciple-makers in their own “personal kingdoms”—their workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and wherever they find themselves in daily life.
Think about what we’re truly saying when we pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We’re asking for God’s perfect will to be carried out here and now, in every facet of our lives—our relationships, our occupations, our worship, and in every interaction we have just as it is in heaven. If we truly embraced this mindset, we would shift our focus from programs to people, intentionally investing in the relationships around us.
What does this look like in practice? It means going beyond surface-level conversations and building deep, lasting connections. It means training church members to see every encounter as an opportunity for disciple-making. It involves creating spaces where people feel known, valued, and cared for—not just in church settings, but in everyday life.
Imagine the impact if every member saw themselves as a bridge to the community, carrying out the mission of Christ in their own unique way. We have to encourage this mindset and create opportunities for these connections to flourish. This could be through one-on-one mentorship, small groups that focus on personal growth and accountability, or outreach initiatives that prioritize relationships over attendance numbers.
3. Adopt an Outward-Focused Approach
To truly impact our communities, we need to shift our focus from inward-facing church activities to outward-reaching initiatives that engage and involve the people around us. Start by asking: What are the real, felt needs of your community? Are there ongoing efforts by other groups where your church could lend a hand and make a meaningful difference?
Think about the unique gifts within your congregation. Every church has something it does exceptionally well—its “One Excellent Mission.”, Find out what that is for your church, and channel all your energy and resources toward it. This may mean letting go of some beloved traditions, like the annual bean dinner or ice cream social, to create space for something that truly serves and transforms your community.
I worked with a rural church that discovered its “One Excellent Mission” was serving the local retirement facility just up the road. They poured their hearts into building genuine connections with the residents—visiting often, sharing music, and holding worship services tailored to their needs. On Sundays, they used the church van to pick up any residents who wanted to attend church, making them feel truly welcomed with comfortable chairs, rockers, lap blankets, and anything else to help them feel at home. This wasn’t just a program; it was who they were. They lived out their mission in every interaction.
As I mentioned in my book, Rebuilding Stronger, “Evangelism is best done through relationships. If we want to cultivate a culture of worship and service beyond our walls, we must embrace relational evangelism and radical hospitality.” This is where real transformation begins—not just within our church walls, but in the lives of those we touch outside them.
To create an outward-focused approach, start by listening to your community, discerning its needs, and finding ways to meet those needs with your church’s unique strengths. Be willing to pivot, to let go of activities that no longer serve the mission, and to embrace new opportunities to demonstrate Christ’s love in practical, impactful ways.
4. Integrate Intergenerational Engagement
The late author and leadership expert Stan Toler once challenged me with a powerful truth: “If you’re not developing your next leader, you’re not a leader.” This resonates more than ever as we face an alarming trend: fewer young people are stepping into ministry roles, and the average age of pastors continues to climb. If we don’t bridge the gap between generations now, we’ll feel the consequences in the next 10-20 years as the Boomer generation passes on and fewer leaders rise to take their place.
To address this, we need to find new and creative ways to build mentoring relationships between older and younger members of our churches. Our older members hold a wealth of wisdom, experiences, and spiritual insights ready to be shared. Meanwhile, the younger generation brings fresh perspectives, energy, and new ideas that can inspire and rejuvenate the church community.
So, how do we foster an environment where all generations can learn from and support one another?
One idea is to launch a “Generations Gathering”—a regular event where younger and older members connect through shared activities like game nights, community service projects, or storytelling sessions. These gatherings can break down barriers and build meaningful connections across age groups.
Offer workshops or training sessions to help older members learn how to effectively mentor, and younger members to receive guidance openly and confidently.
Another option is to create intergenerational small groups that meet regularly to discuss faith, share life experiences, and offer mutual encouragement. These groups provide a space for natural mentoring relationships to develop, helping members of all ages grow spiritually and relationally. Celebrate the successes of these new relationships.
By intentionally designing these opportunities the church can become a thriving, multi-generational community where everyone feels valued and equipped to lead—both now and in the future.
5. Redefine “Church” Beyond Sunday Services
Again, in Rebuilding Stronger I use a phrase called “ecclesial minimum”. The ecclesial minimum is where church is actually happening and it involves three key components – Mission, Community, and Worship. Where those three components exist, church is happening. It’s time to redefine “church” not as a place we go or a service we attend, but as something we do—a verb, not a noun.
We must encourage our members to view their everyday lives as a mission field. As followers of Christ, we are called to “make the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:16) to share the Good News. When we live out our faith in our daily interactions, whether at work, at home, or in our communities, church is happening. It moves beyond the walls of a building and becomes a vibrant, living expression of God’s love.
Relational evangelism is key in our current culture. It’s about showing Christ through genuine, everyday relationships—at a backyard BBQ, on the golf course, or while volunteering in the community. When our faith is naturally evident in how we live, we create opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections.
For example, I recently joined a group of guys in Danville, KY, who meet every Saturday morning at Chick-fil-A to pray, study the Word, and support each other. Our gatherings often attract the curiosity of others who are there, opening up new opportunities for relationships and conversations that could lead to sharing our faith. These moments of church “happening” outside of Sunday services show how we can live out our mission wherever we find ourselves.
By redefining what church means, we encourage our members to see every day as an opportunity for worship, mission, and community. It’s about making church a dynamic part of our lives—something that happens continuously, not just on Sundays.
If we truly want to see our churches revitalized, we must take a hard look at how we are—or aren’t—making disciples. We can no longer afford to rely on outdated methods, blaming external circumstances or waiting for people to come to us. Instead, we must intentionally create environments where discipleship is woven into every aspect of our church life—from how we use technology to how we connect across generations, and from our Sunday services to our everyday relationships.
Revitalizing our mission means moving beyond comfort zones, breaking down silos, and stepping into the world around us with fresh eyes and renewed purpose. It requires us to see the church not as a static institution, but as a dynamic movement—one that adapts, engages, and reaches out in love.
The opportunity for change is in front of us. By embracing new approaches to disciple-making, focusing on authentic relationships, and committing to being the church in every moment, we can help our congregations become vibrant communities of faith once again. The world is watching, and the mission is clear: go and make disciples. Let’s rise to the challenge together.
(This article first appeared here, and is used by written permission from the author.)
(Photo by Brad Montgomery | Flickr)
