Transforming Discipleship

Transforming Discipleship

Many church leaders, yearning for church growth, look to the latest evangelistic strategies or seeker-targeted worship services. But lack of growth might not be due to lack of concern for new people―it may be because we are not effectively discipling the people we already have. Greg Ogden address the need for discipleship in the local church and recovers Jesus' method of accomplishing life change by investing in just a few people at a time. Ogden sets forth his vision for transforming both the individual disciple and discipleship itself, showing how discipleship can become a self-replicating process with ongoing impact from generation to generation.This revised and updated edition includes a new chapter on discipleship and preaching. "I found Greg Ogden when I was searching for what God wanted me to do to follow his call to raise up disciples in a maximum security prison. His book Transforming Discipleship has been our guidebook as God has created 'hot houses of the Holy Spirit' throughout our prison. Hundreds of men's lives have been and continue to be changed through the path shown in this book." -- Craig Brubaker, volunteer chaplain, Texas Department of Criminal Justice "This is one of the foremost books written on biblical discipleship (practically, philosophically, and theologically) in the last fifty years! Why? It is founded on God's Word, with a extensive focus on how Jesus, the ultimate disciple maker, equipped his apostles to multiply and change the world! Greg writes brilliantly and clearly and also shares from his own experiences in pouring his life into a few. If you are curious or have a passion to impact others for God's glory by following Jesus' method of investing in a few, read this book." -- Monte Starkes, director, Life on Life and Global Outreach, Perimeter Church "No one gets the why and how of transforming ordinary people into extraordinary disciples like Greg Ogden does. As someone who worked alongside of him for ten years, I know that disciple making isn't a theory for Greg, but a way of life. In this revised edition of his landmark book, Greg offers individuals and churches an invaluable manual for shaping circles and cultures that are truly transformative in the way that Jesus and Paul originally had in mind." -- Daniel Meyer, senior pastor, Christ Church of Oak Brook, host, Life Focus Television, author of Witness Essentials, coauthor of Leadership Essentials "Greg Ogden nails it again. This revised and expanded version of his how-to and why-to disciple-making manifesto will continue to be a real asset to the modern church. The lost art of disciple making requires this fresh appraisal and application for the current generation in light of the extensive popularity of program-driven growth strategies. Greg's book is a well-balanced, timely, and practical tool for pastors and lay leaders alike who want to embrace both the message and the method of Jesus Christ for reaching the world through intentional multiplication." -- Christopher Moody, pastor, professor, Liberty University School of Divinity "Not only inspiring but compelling for all Christian leaders who are desperately searching for answers to the urgent question of how we can create a reproducible hothouse for discipleship and genuine spiritual transformation. If I could only have room for a handful of discipleship books on my shelf, this would definitely be one of them! It's a book I will keep reading over and over to mine its contents fully. Kudos to you, Greg, for writing an even deeper and richer next edition!" -- Mary Schaller, president, Q Place, author of The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations "Greg has relentlessly grappled with what it means to be Jesus' disciple and what it means to obey Jesus' command to 'make disciples of all nations.' This book is the fruit of that grappling. And, oh, what delicious fruit it is! What Greg writes is simultaneously convicting (the fact is, we are not doing the work) and encouraging (actually, if we just follow the Master's method, we can do the work!). The unique contribution Greg makes, besides his thorough reading of Scripture and other committed disciple makers, is that he has actually practiced what he is preaching! Countless people―many of whom he has never met―have been transformed into authentic followers of Jesus through implementing the vision Greg has lived and lays before us. If the rest of us would-be disciple makers will join Greg . . . look out, world!" -- Darrell W. Johnson, director, Centre of Preaching, Carey Theological College, Vancouver, author of The Glory of Preaching " Transforming Discipleship is truly transforming. This book brings out the importance of discipleship and illustrates the processes of healthy, reproducible methods of disciple making. Deep biblical insight compels and challenges us to go back to the practice Jesus established." -- Pradeep Jha, president, Tabernacle Ministries "Greg Ogden's lifelong passion for growing tr