Key Outcomes Scott Sullivan and John Spencer (Discipleship Team Leader at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA) introduced FORMED, A Discipleship Culture Blueprint, a new resource developed over 2.5 years to help Georgia Baptist churches create disciple-making cultures rather than programs. This resource addresses the core question: How do we reach new people, connect them to the church, move them to spiritual maturity, and launch them to multiply. Resource Overview FORMED Structure: • Four core elements: Real Relationships, Transformational Teaching, Disciple Making Environments, and Intentional Multiplication • Built from dozens of pastor roundtables identifying common church struggles. • Developed by Scott Sullivan, Ray Sullivan (now Pastor at First Waycross), and PJ Dunn (overseeing Revitalization at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board) • Will be taught through six regional cohorts led by trained leaders, including John. Key Definitions: • Culture: The shared expression of beliefs, values, and rhythms that define an organization's identity; "how it feels" rather than just mission or vision• Disciple (Georgia Baptist definition): A committed, passionate follower of Jesus Christ, based on 2 Timothy 2:1-7's four generations of disciples and three-word pictures (soldier, athlete, farmer) Critical Leadership Questions Three essential questions every pastor should answer: • Do we have a culture of discipleship, and is it working? • Do you have a definition of a biblical disciple for your people? • Does the culture and success of the ministry depend solely on you as the leader? Core Principle: "I hope so is not a strategy" - churches cannot keep running the same play if it's not helping them win. Real Relationships Framework Foundation: Jesus invited disciples into a relationship ("follow me"), not a program - discipleship happens best within relational contexts. The Rebar Principle: • Like rebar tied together before concrete is poured creates tensile strength, intentionally tied relationships provide reinforcement when storms come • Without tied relationships, ministry cracks under pressure • You cannot pour ministry on top of relationships you never tied together 2:00 AM Friendships: • Deep, loyal, hesed-type Old Testament connections that never walk away • Many mature believers lack these foundational relationships Sherwood Church Model Disciple Definition at Sherwood: Know Christ, Love God, Unite with Believers, Serve the World, and Entrust the Gospel - visible everywhere (classrooms, atrium, new member materials) to maintain cultural focus. Sherwood on Mission Class: • Equips members to live gospel-centered lives daily, not just share gospel facts • Most valuable component: hearing stories of others interacting with people in their zones (work, home, neighborhood) • Available to share with other churches upon request Practical Implementation: • Michael Catt established Wednesday morning Cracker Barrel group with 5-6 men who could speak candidly into his leadership • Prayer walking neighborhoods with an online sign-up chart tracking coverage across Albany • Daily Bible reading groups (using MacArthur Daily Bible) meeting at 6:00 AM Overcoming Barriers to Connection Common Church Barriers: • Poor or insufficient signage around campus • Greeters who overwhelm rather than read people appropriately • "Holy huddles" that look inward rather than outward • Inadequate nursery facilities that parents don't trust • Inefficient processes (coffee stations, check-in) that create frustration. Key Insight: Confused people don't move; they wander - clear signage and processes are essential. Cultural Shift Required: • People want to be noticed, not just noted (Luke 19 - Jesus didn't just see Zacchaeus, he went to his house) • New member classes must set expectations: "Your job as a disciple-maker is to welcome people to your life, not just your seat." • Tell stories constantly - in baptisms, classrooms, social media, pulpit - to inspire and give ideas Intentionality Over Randomness Ministry Trap Warning: The managerial trap of settling to manage people rather than shepherd and disciple them - easier to manage groups than invest intimately in messy lives. Personal Disciplines for Leaders: • Start with personal abiding - "I can't lead what I don't do." • Distinguish between being in the Bible for your people (sermon prep) versus being in the Bible for yourself • Pray specifically: "Lord, who do I invite in?" • Most successful ministry comes from one-on-one, one-on-two investments over time. Example: John invested ten years in a man who came hungover most mornings; now that man is leading a college ministry. Multiplication Mindset: • Invite younger leaders into discipleship groups to pass the torch • Equip them to replicate: "Now you go find some guys." • Story: A man moving to North Carolina took extra MacArthur Daily Bibles to start groups there Practical Opportunities Beyond Sunday Services: • Partner with existing community services (food banks, deliveries) • Prayer walks in neighborhoods • Student car washes • Leverage natural contexts (pickleball example: introvert wife built new friendships, led couple to church, provided support during medical crisis) Church Facility Design: North Metro Church built a massive foyer/mall effect holding 500 people, transforming culture by giving space for pre-service connection rather than herding people like cattle. Action Items • Georgia Baptist Mission Board Discipleship Team: Launch FORMED resource by the end of April, release four podcast episodes every two weeks for cohesive learning • Regional leaders (including John): Prepare to lead cohorts using an overview/introduction approach (Matthew Gibb’s piece to be distributed) • Churches interested in Sherwood’s On Mission materials: Contact John Spencer at johns@sherwoodbaptist.net for manual/digital copies Closing Principle "A church that is easy to attend but hard to connect in will always struggle to multiply. Bet the farm on relationships - Jesus did."
