One of the reasons I like Tony Romo, and rookie runningback Felix Jones, is that they remind me of the greatness of the Dallas Cowboys from the 1990s. I know, nothing will compare to the Super Bowl teams of the 70s, but do keep in mind that I was born in '78, so I missed much of that. I was just discovering football when Tom Landry was fired. So while I am aware of the greatness of the Cowboys from the golden days of yore, my personal experience of watching the greatness of the Cowboys is limited to the Super Bowl teams of the 90s.
Emmitt Smith was the best rusher in the league, could always get the yardage needed for a first down, or a touchdown (except one fateful day in Philly), and could be depended on to get the team where it needed to be. Troy Aikman was a solid on-field leader who made the plays when it counted. Their greatness inspired the rest of the team, to the point that even the no-names came up big. Who can forget the time Aikman went down, and an unknown Jason Garrett saved the day at QB. Garrett, now a successful offensive coordinator, had little cred as an NFL QB, but that day, he shined like a superstar. You see, greatness is contageous, but it doesn't happen by accident.
To be a star in the NFL, one has to be groomed from childhood, learning to love the game and the oval shaped ball as soon as he is learning to walk, possibly sooner. That child then is taught to throw and catch by his father, enrolled in the flag football league before advancing to pee-wee football. Often, the family will decide on a place to live based on the quality of the youth sports programs and the football program at the local school. Upon entering the 7th grade, that boy then gets involved in scholastic athletics.
It is the job of a head football coach/athletic director in the state of Texas to develop football talent at all levels in school (at least, in the smaller cities like Brownwood, Jacksonville, and so on. I'm not sure how far the sphere of influence spreads in places like Dallas where there are multiple high schools and junior highs, but in smaller towns, the high school head coach hires the junior high coaches.) The successful AD/Head Football Coach will have an organized plan and program in place to develop his players from the time they hit seventh grade up until high school into great football players. Your exemplary ADs work with the youth progams to start the development sooner.
The successful AD will enjoy winning seasons, possible state titles, praise and acclaim from the townspeople, high salaries and the opportunity to advance to a larger school and make even more money. If successful there, he may even go on to coach college or professional football. But none of this happens by accident. It is all a deliberate effort to teach, condition and prepare the players for the games.
You can tell the quality of a football program, not by their win-loss record, but by how many players graduate and go on to college (Division I) or even professional football. Danny Long, remembered for leading the Jacksonville Indians to gridiron glory in the Texas state playoffs, actually suffered some down years in the late 90s. Notwithstanding, each team graduated 3-5 Division I prospects, with one or two of those having a shot at the NFL, with maybe one actually making a roster. (Mostly, the one that did make a roster wound up on the practice squad, with the exception of a couple of quarterback brothers). Having gone through part of his program, I can tell you it was a deliberate process.
So, on the football field, winning is only half the battle. True success is displayed by graduating the next generation of NFL stars.
When I think if this, I often think of our discipleship efforts in our churches. Our aims in discipleship ought to reflect an effort to introduce someone to Christ, see them accept Jesus as Savior, Baptise them, and the teach them the doctrines of Christ, all while helping them grow in their faith until they find the place where God wants them to serve. When they find that place of service, helping them grow in that position until God leads them on to bigger things. It should be a deliberate process that produces super-disciples by design.
So, my question is, does your church have a plan in place to develop these disciples? If so, can you share with me? I am developing my approach on trial and error, and hope to have Grace Pointe in the disciple-making business as soon as possible.
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Our church currently does things in the traditional for the most part with the exception of AWANA and the WIAH youth (teens).
In a fourth year seminary class "Church Administration", we had an assignment concerning committees, classes and outreach. I dunno how exactly you'd get it to work, but I had a few ideas that got a good grade on the assignment.
First, instead of doing Sunday School by age, set up a survey or questionair to learn people's current Biblical knowledge and/or spiritual practices. Then design your classes around that.
Also, design a Team 21 (the 21 doctrinal statements) and an E-Group (Evangelism). Every new convert can meet in this group once a week, or even do a one-on-one where a strong doctrinal church member goes to their house and teaches them once a week. Same thing for the evangelism, only add in real-life experience and practice (sending out two by two). These are just a few ideas I have.
One more idea. With a mission, people may not have developed their ideas of what church is supposed to be yet. Maybe you can have 2 hours on Wed. (we do 6-8) instead of just 1. Or have Team 21 and/or E-Group meet after morning services or after evening services. Anyway, Just a a couple of suggestions.
Right now, we are in search of a pastor, and plan on instituting some things as soon as we get one. But for now, as youth pastor, I am focusing on teaching the diff. between music, church attendance and worship to our teens. We have fun time with eating when our band plays fun fast contemporary Christian music. Then, after thirty minutes or so, we talk for five minutes about who we are worshipping, what worship is (bowing down in humility) and why He is worthy of worship (His perfection, our shortcomings and His love for us anyway). We then mention the result of worship (Here am I, send me) and then begin worship songs which have both contemporary and hymns, but are slower than the earlier songs. It has REALLY begun to show signs that the students know what worship is now. They've been growing in numbers to, reaching their friends at school.
I sub at a few schools, and we've gained a few from that. I try to attend football games. You can also have your church cook for the high school football team for every away game. That will help students realize you are there. Also we do a newsletter we send out with students to pass out at the schools. It includes strange news stories, a comic I make, quotes and one-line clean jokes, Famous birthdays for that month, and most importantly has our name in the center, the next big thing for our youth, and the plan of salvation. It has got our name out there and we've seen growth from it too.
Other than just getting out in the community and being involved in it, and helping your church to do the same, I dunno what else you can do towards evangelism. It's like one of our teacher's says at seminary, Evangelism rarely requires you make opportunities: it just requires that you take the time to notice the opportunities that are already there.
I don't know what other suggestions I might have.
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