2021 Disciple-Making Leaders (Advanced) Network
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This network builds on the foundation laid by the Foundational Disciple-Making Leaders Network through expanding content depth and drawing connections as well as providing a keen focus on practical application in disciple-making ministries in the local context.
We will help envision, equip, and encourage you as a leader for disciple-making, because while Jesus’ command to make disciples is straightforward, the practice of it can be quite complex and require clear insight, skill, and understanding as well as plenty of support from fellow practitioners. Our vision is that Christ would multiply your disciple-making leadership to many others and thus impact Europe with the transforming power of the gospel. At the end of our time, you will have working knowledge of critical areas of discipleship content from people who have great experience and expertise. You will also have a clear plan of action to apply this wisdom and its facets to genuinely impact those with whom you work locally.
In order to attend this network, you must already be discipling others or be willing to commit to lead others in discipleship relationship and be held accountable to that work over the next year. Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Applicants should be leaders who have previously attended the European Leadership Forum Disciple-Making Leaders Network: Foundational Track. The Advanced Track will help participants move from principles to practical application sensitive to each person's ministry context.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Jim Cecy is a regular speaker at the European Leadership Forum. He serves as Senior Pastor-Teacher of Campus Bible Church in Fresno, California. Jim is also founder and President of JARON Ministries International, a training ministry for Christian leaders in the U.S. and abroad. He has a Masters… Read more
Jay Eastman was born and raised in the US, attending The Ohio State University for undergraduate and graduate school. He has degrees in English and English education. He is married to Holly, and they have three children. He has taught English around the world and has served in Berlin, leading… Read more
Anna Gnatyshyna has been involved in youth ministry and Bible study groups for the last 10 years. Several weeks of studies spent in Israel became the major turning point that led to a lifelong dedication to Bible study and teaching. She has a BA in theology and an MA in biblical counseling. Anna… Read more
Rick Hill is a speaker, author and leader based near Belfast, Northern Ireland. Having previously served in various ministry roles, Rick now oversees the Council for Mission in Ireland within the Presbyterian Church. He is also an elder in Carnmoney Church and author of Deep Roots of Resilient… Read more
Marcus Honeysett is the director of Living Leadership. Living Leadership trains, disciples, and provides soul care for church leaders in the UK and beyond through its networks and associates, and by serving other ministries who share the same aims. Living Leadership provides mentoring,… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 16 May
In this first session of the network, there are three introductions. First, the network itself is introduced, focusing on the vision for impacting thousands across Europe to be transformed in Christ. Second, each participant will introduce him or herself and we have time to get to know one another better. Third, we’ll hear from 1 Peter on how being pronounced free and a friend of Christ echoes through our lives and is good news for others.
The problem disciples face isn’t just the suffering itself, but the lack of preparation for suffering. There is a critical need to prepare people for difficulty in the Christian life. This talk explores preparing disciples for trials so that their faith isn’t suddenly troubled. Of course there is a COVID parallel, but it also much more generally touches on the seasons of life.
Monday, 17 May
Nowadays there are many techniques of changing the behavior, but how does genuine Biblical change take place in everyday life? What is the process of forming and breaking harmful habits that lead us astray from a loving shepherd? In this session we will seek to analyze besetting sinful patterns and then define and address the heart of problems. Moreover, we will discuss the framework and key principles of building redemptive relations with both younger and more mature people that will enable us to become the part of this transformation process.
Effective and lasting ministry demands that our souls be as prepared as our minds and bodies. Reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s own personal testimony regarding his challenging ministry in ancient Thessalonica, we will briefly consider 24 heart-felt “ministry covenants” that need to be made prior to embarking on our own discipleship meetings, teaching opportunities, and ministry adventures. This checklist is based on what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 as he presented the defense of his brief ministry in Thessalonica (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1-2; Acts 17:1-9). May the example of his ministry success be our own.
Tuesday, 18 May
The Apostle Paul's aim was to work with the church in Philippi for their "progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me" (Phil. 1:25-26). It can be easy to confuse growing disciples who are overflowing with joy in Jesus with merely training people in skills and knowledge. We may not realise that we are doing it. This session will help us consider how to nurture men and women as disciple-making disciples, rather than merely equipping them with courses, skills, and knowledge.
In this session, we’ll address walking alongside people in the midst of suffering and struggles. It will discuss how we embrace this reality as a place of spiritual growth, even as God ministers to us in the desert and the wilderness just like He did Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and Paul. We’ll explore how our weaknesses are an important aspect as we disciple others.
Wednesday, 19 May
Every disciple-making leader has times where certain challenges of discipleship have no obvious answers. We'll look at some particularly troubling questions such as, “Why didn’t this person or group multiply?” and “What’s happening when a person is interested but shows no growth over time?” as well as working through present-day problems from you in the network. The group will also use this information to springboard into writing a strategic discipleship plan to apply back at home.
In this last session together, you will finish writing your strategic discipleship plans and share them with the group, who will give encouragement and feedback on clarifying and strengthening your plan. We will also form cohort groups to keep one another accountable to the plans we've made and spur each other on throughout the year.