Creating a Model for Personal and Proactive Discipleship at the Village Church in Dallas, Texas

Abstract

ABSTRACT

CREATING A MODEL FOR PERSONAL AND PROACTIVE DISCIPLESHIP AT THE VILLAGE CHURCH

IN DALLAS, TEXAS

Matthew Allen Younger, D.Min.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Michael S. Wilder

Chapter 1 provides an introduction for the project and outlines its goals. This chapter gives the rationale for the project and considers essential background information to understand the unique context of The Village Church. Chapter 1 communicates that the purpose of this project is to create a model to enhance personal and proactive discipleship at TVC, specifically for new-Christians, non-Christians, and spiritually young Christians.

Chapter 2 offers biblical and theological support for personal and proactive discipleship. In this chapter we look into Jesus’s commitment to personal discipleship and show how his strategic vision to disciple individuals must remain as an essential strategy for the modern church as well.

Chapter 3 shows how both organizational and organic discipleship are important and necessary for healthy and growing disciples. In addition, this chapter explores the unique challenges and opportunities for personal and proactive discipleship at TVC.

Chapter 4 reviews the results of the project, specifically by evaluating findings from the Personal Discipleship Survey and the Executive Leadership Survey. The purpose of the PDS was to assess personal discipleship habits within TVC staff and membership. The purpose of the ELS was to assess how leadership at TVC understands, communicates, and prioritizes personal discipleship as a value within the church.

Chapter 5 synthesizes the considerations and results of the previous chapters, and offers formal proposals to TVC’s Executive Staff to bolster and enhance TVC’s model for personal and proactive discipleship.