In our last post, we discussed a question from Pastor Brian Kohout with Exchange Church. In this post, we will answer his second question about how to steer creatives in discipleship. Let’s jump right in!

Brian asked: How do you involve creatives and steer them where you need them to go, rather than where they want to go? Here are three thoughts:

1. Clear expectations from the start.

Jesus was very clear about the expectations he had for his disciples. If his disciples were to follow his leadership, he told them that it meant a denial of self and even life (Lk. 9:23). As a discipler, you must be clear about your trajectory. If your prospective disciple does not want to go the route you hope to take them, your relationship may not be ready for that level of commitment. Speaking of relationships … relational aspects of disciplemaking must never be overlooked. Before your approach someone about entering a discipling relationship, mutual trust and intimacy should at least be forming. Recall from our last post that “discipling relationships devoid of trust will fail to be effective”.

2. Patience is king.

Most of our readership on Creat-Moteo lives in an American context. Quite simply, we are monochronic. This means that we perceive time as a commodity – it can be spent and saved, bought and sold, and so on. Naturally, Americans are impatient with long-term processes. I say this because such is true for me! In our culture we hear messages like, “get yours today!” and “don’t wait, call today!” This mentality does have its benefits in things like speed of service and efficient manufacturing. Thus, by no means am I arguing for cultural superiority of other methods for handling time. However, the negative side of our perception of time plays into how we disciple others. In one instance, while on a mission trip, a leader rushed myself and our team through our reflection time. Reflection is crucial for effective ministry in proceeding days, and thus rushing through it was not very beneficial to our group. So, pastor or discipler, practice long-term strategies as you disciple creatives. Be patient and allow your relationships with creatives to blossom. Discipleship is less of a transaction and more of a relationship.

3. It’s okay to steer in a new direction.

My wife loves to explore new routes to familiar places to avoid monotony. I cannot stand doing that sometimes! If possible, I take one road to get to one place. That’s it! Often, my travel routes spill over into my disciplemaking. I have one goal, and we will get there my way even if I have to pin you down! (So submit!) It’s less dramatic than that, sure. Yet, I wonder what it would look like for our discipling relationships to be more Spirit-led. So here is the challenge, pastor or discipler: plan ahead for discipling creatives, but then give that plan to God to allow his superintendence on your trajectory.

Disciplemaking is a holistic process of developing into a person like Christ, to lead other to Christ and community. As you plan to disciple creatives, remember that your expectations should be clear from the start, that you will need to practice patience, and that you must be willing to let the Holy Spirit steer before you ever try to take the wheel. What other suggestions might you have about this process? Go ahead and comment below or on our Facebook page!