Launching a Movement

Man speaking to a group of other men gathered around the table

In the fall of 1992, we launched two Top Gun groups for men at Elmbrook Church. Over 32 weeks, I wrote the study material, and then, we led two groups (12 men in each) through the study.

After this nine-month journey of weekly gatherings, we asked the men what they thought. All 24 participants were fully engaged, and 16 of them wanted to lead a group the following year. Knowing it would be difficult to find that many new participants, we paired the leaders up and launched eight groups the next year.

The following years saw continued growth—10 groups, then 12, then 14, then 16. Over the next 25 years, thousands of men went through this intentional discipleship experience, spanning more than 10 generations of disciple makers.

At the time, I didn’t realize it, but we had actually launched a movement. We were making disciples who make disciples who make disciples. We had shifted from simply producing disciples to developing disciple makers. In this article, I want to share some simple principles that can help any church launch a movement of men’s discipleship.

What Is a Movement?

A movement is the rapid and exponential growth of disciple-making disciples that leads to the multiplication of disciples, leaders, small groups, and churches. A true movement should reach four generations of disciples in less than five years.

Five Principles for Launching a Movement of Men’s Discipleship

An intentional leader makes disciples
Leaders of movements are laser-focused on discipleship. They have a clear goal, share their vision, and spend time developing disciple makers. They consistently identify those who are most likely to reproduce and invest deeply in them. Catalytic leaders use their time and energy in ways that show others what matters most.
Relational environments
My friend Vince D’Acchioli says, “It takes a relational environment for truth to become transformational.” In groups, men should not only study the Bible but also apply it. One hallmark of a movement is the shift from knowledge-based discipleship to obedience-based discipleship. The key question becomes, “How can I obey what I just read?”—in contrast to the typical North American question, “How can I understand what I just read?”
A reproducible process
Multiplication requires a process that is simple, biblical, and reproducible—something anyone can do. While there are many tools, we’ve found that Discovery Bible Study (DBS) works especially well with men. It can be led by anyone, anywhere, anytime. DBS helps men engage directly with God’s Word and discover what He is saying to them. (For more information on how to lead a DBS, visit our website and scroll down.)
Apprenticeship: the key to multiplication
There cannot be a movement without apprentices. We move from making disciples to making disciple makers, who then make disciples. Leaders should always be looking for the next leader and preparing them to launch their own group. The best place to train apprentices is within a healthy small group, where they can develop key skills. Once equipped, apprentices can be launched in several ways:

- The apprentice stays, and the leader births a new group.
- The leader stays, and the apprentice births a new group.
- The group divides, with the leader and apprentice each taking half.

Whatever the approach, the key is to have a clear plan and communicate it well.

Focus on prayer and the Holy Spirit
Movement leaders live in radical dependence on the Holy Spirit. This reliance is shown in their commitment to prayer and fasting. They believe deeply that prayer and fasting lead to mission-centered breakthroughs.

As one statement puts it: The people of God are dependent upon the presence of God for the work of God.

A Modern Example

Earlier this year, we held three large gatherings of leaders in India to train them in launching movements of men’s discipleship. At one event, a participant told me he had attended the previous year and, since then, had multiplied four generations of groups. That is a movement!

Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” What this leader in India did reflects exactly what Paul had in mind thousands of years ago—and what God still desires for us today.