Episode 34: The Disciple Dilemma (featuring Dennis Allen)
Telling stories of turning transition into transformation. There is Life After Ministry.
Summary
In Episode 34 of Life After Ministry, Dennis Allen, author of The Disciple Dilemma, shares his journey from a military and corporate background to addressing one of the most significant crises in the church today: the failure of discipleship. Dennis discusses how the church has shifted from making disciples to prioritizing institutional success, leading to widespread disengagement, de-churching, and a broken model of ministry. Drawing on his leadership experience, Dennis explains how churches can refocus on their true mission—making disciples who make disciples.
This episode is crucial for ministry leaders, decision-makers, and anyone grappling with the challenges of church leadership in today’s complex landscape. Dennis offers deep insights into how discipleship can transform churches, reduce pastor burnout, and create lasting impact in the lives of congregations. His message is a wake-up call to rethink the church's mission and rediscover the biblical model of discipleship.
Join us as we dive into practical solutions for reviving discipleship in the church and hear Dennis' heartfelt encouragement to pastors who have transitioned out of ministry, reminding them that their identity is not lost—there is still hope and purpose beyond the pulpit.
Takeaways
The modern church has shifted from making disciples to focusing on institutional growth, leading to disengagement and the rise of the "de-churched."
True discipleship is a life-on-life process, not something that can be achieved through programs or one-size-fits-all approaches.
Pastors are often burdened with unrealistic expectations, leading to burnout and a broken leadership model in many churches.
Churches need to rediscover their biblical mission: making disciples who make disciples, which starts with leadership modeling the way.
Even after leaving vocational ministry, pastors can still fulfill their purpose by walking alongside others in discipleship, finding renewed hope and identity.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
00:20 - Dennis Allen’s Journey from Military and Corporate to Ministry
02:21 - Early Mentorship and the Biblical Model of Discipleship
04:30 - The Symptoms of the Discipleship Crisis in the Church
05:01 - The Rise of the "Nones," "Dones," and the De-Churched
07:24 - The Impact of COVID on Church Engagement
08:59 - Institutional Problems in the Church and the Burden on Pastors
11:52 - The Biblical Discipleship Model: Bet Sefer, Bet Midrash, Bet Talmud
14:09 - Implementing Real Discipleship in the Modern Church
17:03 - The Burden of the "Sunday Show" and Outsourcing Spiritual Responsibility
18:32 - Similarities Between Broken Churches and Broken Corporations
20:51 - Reclaiming the Church’s True Mission and Identity
23:03 - The Challenge of Discipleship in a Culture of Instant Gratification
24:45 - Overview of The Disciple Dilemma and Its Goals
26:04 - Encouragement for Pastors Transitioning Out of Ministry
27:30 - Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Dennis Allen
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