Yolanda Solomon never intended to become a passionate advocate for discipleship. As a college student interning in Los Angeles, her goal was simple: network in the entertainment industry and decide where to launch her career. But God had other plans, beautifully orchestrated through an unexpected friendship.
On a recent episode of the Pivot podcast, hosts Dr. Alicia Granholm and Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile sat down with Yolanda, author of “Discipleship as Holy Collaboration,” to explore her transformative journey and glean insights for church leaders seeking to cultivate a culture of discipleship.
Yolanda shared how a family friend, Ariyan, became an embodiment of Christ’s love during her LA internship. “She discipled me without me knowing it,” Yolanda reflected. Through simple acts of service – offering rides, sharing her community, and extending persistent invitations to church – Ariyan’s life spoke volumes about following Jesus.
This experience profoundly shaped Yolanda’s understanding of discipleship, leading her to emphasize accessibility and authenticity in her current role as Director of Discipleship at Epiphany Church in Brooklyn.
Move Beyond Duty to Divine Delight
In a world of constant disappointment, Yolanda challenges leaders to present discipleship not as another obligation, but as an invitation to abundant life. “I’m constantly… trying to encourage them and myself to encounter Jesus in the word and see him as beautiful,” she said. This shift can reignite passion in those burned out by religious performativity.
Yolanda emphasizes that many people, especially younger generations, see Christianity as a list of rules or a set of beliefs to intellectually assent to. However, she argues that true discipleship is about experiencing the beauty and joy of life with Christ. By focusing on the attractiveness of Jesus and the kingdom of God, leaders can help disillusioned believers rediscover the excitement and fulfillment of faith.
This approach doesn’t ignore the challenges of following Christ but reframes them within the context of a loving relationship. Just as an athlete endures difficult training for the joy of the sport, disciples can embrace the challenges of faith for the delight of knowing and serving Jesus.
Learn Through Embodied Experience
Jesus’ teaching method, as Yolanda points out, follows a pattern: “I do, we do, you do.” She encourages leaders to create opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning. “Sometimes being born again doesn’t always feel real to us,” Yolanda noted, “but when you’re doing it as a group, when it’s embodied, when you’re introduced to the body of Christ, it makes it so much more real.” This approach can combat the loneliness and disconnection many feel, even within church communities.
Yolanda suggests that leaders look for ways to involve people in active service and community engagement. This could mean organizing group volunteer activities, creating mentorship programs, or encouraging small groups to engage in local missions together. By doing so, disciples not only learn about faith intellectually but experience it tangibly.
Moreover, this embodied approach to discipleship helps bridge the gap between Sunday services and everyday life. When people see how faith plays out in real-world situations, it becomes more relevant and impactful in their daily lives.
Engage The Ministry of Being There
In a world of constant noise, Yolanda reminds leaders of the power of presence. “Sometimes people just want somebody to listen to them,” she said. This simple act of attentiveness can be a profound embodiment of Christ’s love, especially for those grappling with grief, doubt, or disillusionment.
Yolanda encourages leaders to cultivate a culture of active listening within their communities. This might involve training small group leaders in listening skills, creating safe spaces for people to share their doubts and struggles, or simply modeling attentive presence in pastoral interactions.
She also points out that this ministry of presence isn’t just for leaders – it’s a calling for all disciples. By teaching and encouraging all members to be present and attentive to one another, churches can create a network of support that extends far beyond what any single leader could provide.
Side-Step Pastoral Burnout
One of Yolanda’s most pointed pieces of advice was directed at pastors: “Stop doing everything yourself.” She advocates for identifying and empowering diverse gifts within the congregation. “Training people, empowering your people, taking risks,” she emphasized, are crucial steps in cultivating a discipleship culture that extends beyond the pastor’s reach.
Yolanda suggests that pastors need to shift their mindset from being the primary doers of ministry to being equippers of the saints. This involves intentionally identifying potential leaders, providing them with training and resources, and then giving them real responsibility and authority in ministry areas.
This approach not only prevents pastoral burnout but also creates a more robust and resilient church community. When more people are actively involved in ministry, the church becomes less dependent on any single leader and more capable of weathering leadership transitions or crises.
Discipleship as a Divine Friend Group
Yolanda beautifully likens discipleship to introducing someone to a cherished friend group. “We have been invited into this beautiful community of divinity,” she explained. “It’s this Holy Ghost friend group of the Trinity, and we want to invite other people into this friend group that we’ve been invited in and convince them like, ‘You’re gonna love them.'”
This metaphor shifts the focus of discipleship from a hierarchical teacher-student relationship to a more relational, peer-oriented approach. It emphasizes the joy and privilege of knowing God and inviting others into that relationship, rather than the duty of imparting knowledge or enforcing behavior.
Yolanda encourages leaders to foster a sense of warmth and welcome in their discipleship efforts, much like introducing a new friend to a beloved group. This approach can help break down barriers for those who might be intimidated by formal religious structures or wary of authoritarian leadership styles.
As church leaders grapple with the challenges of cultivating discipleship in an age of disillusionment, Yolanda Solomon’s insights offer a refreshing roadmap for authentic, transformative ministry.
Ultimately, Yolanda reminds us that effective discipleship isn’t about having all the answers or maintaining a perfect facade. Instead, it’s about authentically walking alongside others, pointing them to the beauty of Jesus, and inviting them into the joyful, messy, transformative adventure of following Christ together.
In so doing, we offer a compelling alternative to the disillusionment that plagues so many seeking genuine faith—an alternative that resonates with the deep longing for authenticity, community, and purpose that exists in every heart.
