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A New Focus: Membership to Discipleship
Explore how centering your congregation on following Jesus can transform your church into a dynamic community of disciples.
About this Course
In A New Focus: Membership to Discipleship you’ll explore the key characteristics that distinguish membership-focused churches from discipleship-focused churches. When churches focus primarily on membership, they often become centered on attendance, buildings, and budgets—measurable metrics that provide a sense of control in an uncertain world. The identity of the church becomes tied to a place, a worship service, and clear boundaries about who belongs and who doesn't. But what if the church reclaimed its original calling as a movement of disciples—apprentices learning to follow the way of Jesus in their everyday lives?
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Membership and discipleship are both vital aspects of what it means to be the church. But where is your focus?
In A New Focus: Membership to Discipleship, Rev. Dr. Steven Thomason invites you to consider a shift in focus, as you explore reclaiming the church’s original calling as a movement of disciples. Drawing on the biblical metaphor of the tabernacle and the temple, he explores what it means for the church to be a mobile, Spirit-led community rather than a fixed institution. This isn't about abandoning membership or the important structures that support congregational life, it's about remembering what matters most: forming disciples who embody the love of God in the world.
You'll examine the characteristics of membership-focused and discipleship-focused churches, consider the order of belief, behavior, and belonging, and reflect on how your own congregation can more fully embrace its calling to follow Jesus wherever the Spirit leads. This course offers a thoughtful, grace-filled exploration of a question at the heart of the church's mission: Are we defined by our boundaries or by who we're following?
Modules
A New Focus: Membership to Discipleship
In this module, you will:
- Understand the characteristics of membership-focused churches and discipleship-focused churches.
- Reflect on how your congregation's focus shapes its identity and practice, and consider where the Spirit might be inviting you to shift your attention.
- Consider how this shift in focus might apply to your congregation's sense of calling and movement.
Get to Know Your Instructors
Steve Thomason
Rev. Dr. Steven Thomason is an artist, pastor, and teacher, passionate about studying and teaching the Bible. He earned a Ph.D. in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary and is the Dean of the Chapel and Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship for Luther Seminary.
He is the author of “A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible” and “The Visual Preacher: Proclaiming an Embodied Word.” In his work as an artist, he regularly focuses on writing and drawing about Spiritual Formation, Biblical Studies, Theology, and Art.
He is a graduate of Wheaton College, where he studied art (BA, 1990), Bethel University, where he focused on Biblical Studies (MDiv, 2002), and Luther Seminary (Ph.D., 2015).
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!