I recently ran across Downline Ministries that exists to “equip Christ followers to make disciples”. It looks like they’ve got training resources, books, and articles to help promote making and multiplying disciples. I haven’t really explored their content very deeply but it looks great.
Check out this video for a look at what Downline is all about:
[tentblogger-youtube CTkxZ7wswuI]
What do you think?
The irony is that I recently wrote a post entitled Disciple Making vs. Downline: Practicing God’s Presence Or Pyramid Scheme. I wrote that post because I had been hearing some negative voices criticizing discipleship as some sort of multi-level marketing pyramid scheme. Those negative critiques spoke disparaging about discipleship as some sort of “downline”. Personally, I don’t care what you call it and if what I do to make disciples (in obedience to God’s will) looks like a pyramid scheme to critics, then so be it.
The little bit that I’ve seen of Downline Ministries, it looks like we are on the same page.
For example, DM says their goal is to “make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus.” I know I’ve said the same thing on numerous occasions (though I usually just say, “make and multiply” since I assume that making includes maturing).
DM talks about discipling someone until that person can make disciples. I’ve written a lot about making disciple-making disciples and a goal of the eBook that I’m writing is to equip any Christian to make a disciple in the next 12 months who will make a disciple in the next 24 months.
Anyway, we seem to be speaking the same language. Maybe we are reading from the same Book.
So, to the guys behind Downline Ministries I say keep up the good work and don’t worry about the critics. Pursue the mission! As DL Moody said, “I like my way of doing things better than your way of not doing things.”
If you haven’t seen Downline Ministries, go check them out now!
