Discipleship, Bible, Christian, Studies – C.S. Lewis Institute

Vision/Mission

We are working with others to help spark a discipleship movement that will encourage a culture of discipleship in churches and in individual believers.   We are praying that God will raise up leaders and send the Holy Spirit to re-energize the church in America and around the world. 

Is the American church headed the way of Europe?  Many say yes. 

Watch video about the Decade of Discipleship. Read more about the Decade of Discipleship.

Why the need for discipleship:

“When a person makes a confession of faith and is never taken through a formal discipleship process, there is little hope of seeing genuine spiritual transformation.”  - Dr. Howard Hendricks, Dallas Theological Seminary

“The American church is dying, not from lack of effective evangelism, nor from lack of resources, but from lack of effective discipleship.”  - Michael Ramsden, European Director of Ravi Zacharias Ministries. 

“The church cannot grow if Christians are not actively discipling new belivers.” Ed Stetzer, Pastor, Church Planter, Professor

“I think the trend is clear and it’s not good! Although there are some wonderful churches i.e. ‘islands of strength and health’, the statistics indicate that the Church in America is in a poor state and is heading the same way as Europe.” – Gerard Long, Executive Director, Alpha USA

“Evangelacalism, particularly American evangelacalism, is failing the modern church. ...They are failing to provide believers with approaches to living that keeps them going and growing in spiritual relationship with him.  A…balanced path of growth - changing the mind and heart in order to change the outward actions - keeps us from the deadly trap of self-deception in which we believe, but do not grow, in Christ.”  - Dr. Bruce Demarest, Author, Educator

What needs to be done to start this Decade of Discipleship?:

• There needs to be a sustained effort – can’t be a one time thing – minimum of ten years
• It needs to be broad-based – many denominations
• It needs to focus on each key stage of life – it’s not a program and you graduate – it’s a life long process
• It should focus on the heart and mind – if we can’t help people connect the intellectual with the heart, we won’t see much real progress
• It needs to include mentoring – through one-on-one mentoring, huge change takes place over time
• Programs are necessary, but not enough
• Awareness needs to be raised – across churches, ministries, individuals who have a heart for discipleship

The C.S. Lewis Institute is developing effective discipleship resources and programs for churches, small groups and individuals, but we encourage all ministries and churches to do the same.

Join the Decade of Discipleship Movement

During 2011, we will be working with a growing group of pastors, ministry leaders and others to join together in a call for this renewal of discipleship. If you would like to be involved, pray for the movement, just receive regular updates or let us know what your church or ministry is doing to develop disciples. Please share your success stories and lessons learned in the form below. Thank You.