Simple Discipleship was published in 2009 and The Disciple-Maker’s Toolkit in July, 2011, so this simple church discipleship process has been “out there” long enough for church leaders to begin sharing their experiences. It is one thing that the Simple Discipleship book has received very good reviews but church leaders want more than a book, they want something that works. I have received several reports from pastors in the field about how the Spiritual Vitality Assessment is a great tool for creating a disciple-making culture. The Spiritual Vitality Assessment was introduced in the Simple Discipleship book as the SD-360 Survey but remains unchanged despite the change of nomenclature. It consists of 40 statements based on biblical values and expectations discussed in both books. The 40 statements or questions are divided into four sections in which participants may sore a total of 400 cumulatively out of a possible 100 in each section. Here are three stories of how the assessment is working in the churches.

THE SPIRITUAL VITALITY ASSESSMENT RESULTS IN SALVATION

One of the first churches that began using Simple Discipleship decided to change question #2 in the WORSHIP section of the assessment. Question #2 says, “ I know that when I die I will go to heaven” with the ability of the participant to respond with an answer from 0 to 10. The church leaders left the question as is but changed the response section so that the participant could only respond with either a 0 or 10. A “0” response meant “I don’t know” and a “10” response meant “I am sure.” The church leadership gave the Spiritual Vitality Assessment in Sunday school classes. Three people from different classes went to talk privately with their respective teachers or with a trusted friend. In each of the three cases the individuals said that the assessment led them to think specifically about their salvation. They were convicted by question #2 and subsequently received Jesus and Lord and were baptized. The questions cause participants to think personally about their own standing in relation to their beliefs.

THE SPIRITUAL VITALITY ASSESSMENT SHOCKS A CHURCH TO ACTION

From the introduction of Simple Discipleship, I have encouraged churches to give the Spiritual Vitality Assessment only when the pastor is serving and supportive of the process. However, an interim pastor contacted me a couple of years ago and asked me to give the assessment in the church where he was serving. The church was clearly struggling and had been in serious decline for several years. The assessment was given and I prepared a report of the compiled assessments. The pie graph of the results was shocking as the green MISSIONS section was very small. This is an indication of a dying church that has virtually no community connection. The green section for the church is called the “Community Missional Footprint” and is an indicator of missional involvement. The pie graph illustration shown here brought audible gasps from the congregation but then resulted in a significant level of missional projects in the community. The church has since made progress and has the potential of resurgence.

THE SPIRITUAL VITALITY ASSESSMENT CONVICTS A LEADER TO SERVE

Recently I had been doing Discipleship Coach Training for a church planting pastor and his staff. The pastor had struggled with starting small group Bible studies as they lacked willing and qualified teachers. A potential leader joined the new church and had volunteered to start a new small group. Unfortunately, he backed out with little or no explanation. Concurrently, the pastor had given the Spiritual Vitality Assessment to the church congregation and a surprising thing happened. The person who had back out of leading small groups contacted the pastor and let him know that he was disturbed by the Spiritual Vitality Assessment results and felt convicted by the Lord to step up to his earlier commitment of leadership. The pastor was very pleased and contacted me to once again share his testimony of how Simple Discipleship was helping establish a disciple-making culture in the church.

More stories will follow as church leaders are sharing with us. The proverbial proof will be in the pudding as leaders and churches become effective at making disciple-makers.

SD Blessings,

Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist

QUESTIONS:

1.      What process does your church use to make disciples?

2.      How may the Spiritual Vitality Assessment could help your church become a disciple-making church?

3.      What is the Community Missional Footprint of your church?

——————–
Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web | Blog | Book | Coaching Site