Making disciples is not an easy process. It is trying. It is messy. It is slow, tedious, even painful at times. It is all these things because it is relational.” —David Platt, author & evangelist Have you ever been to a Bible study where shouting, cussing, and a near fist fight broke out? I have. The [...]
On the Method of Missions One of the first books a friend encouraged me to buy when I began work in ministry was a devotional classic by Oswald Chambers. My Utmost for His Highest has been a favorite I've since gone to many times. After Chambers died at only 43 years of age, his wife transcribed the [...]
First, this letter is longer than usual but taking a few minutes to read the lead-in story will enhance what follows. I hope Nate's thoughts on discipleship bless and challenge you the way they did me! _______________________ There is more than one Michael Jordan. And at least two of them live in Murfreesboro, TN. One [...]
"Disciples are made, not born." - Bill Hull Yes, we are born into the Kingdom of Heaven when we believe in, confess Christ, and are baptized into His Name, but that's only where the process starts. Disciples are "made" over a period of time through life-on-life investment. But exactly "how" are disciples made? I've heard [...]
This is Keoni Enlow, a man who knows the personal hell of alcohol and drug addiction. Of greater importance is his story of redemption. I first crossed paths with Keoni at "Tres Dias," a three-day men's retreat near Dickson. Four years went by and we randomly ran into one another again at an event here [...]
Ron Longwell, Associate Minister of Discipleship A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to visit with the staff of the Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama (pictured above). God has clearly placed a call on the leaders of the church there to create a discipling culture. They invited us down for a conversation about [...]
Four years ago Woodbury resident Jill Spry phoned for information about The Timothy Network. She was ready for a change in the direction of her spiritual life. Although a life-long church goer Jill confessed, “I knew the word of God, but not the God of the word. THAT was the [...]
What follows first appeared in our December quarterly report to monthly financial partners. Because it "puts a face" on the part of our work involving discipling converts and equipping them to be disciple makers, we share it here with others of you who also follow our efforts. MLS This is a story about Tracy Vanatta. [...]
Note: What follows was not written as a holier-than-thou diatribe but to instead highlight a dilemma within North American Christianity. Author Greg Ogden calls the problem "a discipleship malaise." Take inventory as you read, but consider the point as encouragement to become a pro-active disciple of Jesus - not as a beat down. "The greatest [...]
by Ron Longwell I’m Ron, and I’m a serial tree-planter. In July of 2016, my family and I moved to a four-acre property in Bedford County, Tennessee. The following February I planted 60 trees. This year I’m hoping to plant 100 more. My wife says I’ve got a condition. I guess what I love about [...]
