7 Practices of Disciple Making Churches: New Research on What Works in North America

the vast majority of churches in North America have no intentional pathway for turning converts into disciple makers. None.

Convictional Leadership. Leaders at every level must have a deep, non-negotiable conviction that disciple making is the core mission of the church.

Obedience-Based, Reproducible Models. Level 5 churches do not simply transfer knowledge; they train for obedience. Their models are intentionally simple so that every believer can reproduce them.

Prayer and Scripture as Foundations. Renewal flows from direct engagement with God’s Word and fervent, corporate prayer.

Relational Community. Discipleship happens life-on-life, not primarily in programs or classes.

Clear Pathways and Expectations. People need visible next steps. Level 5 churches provide clear pathways into discipleship and set expectations that every believer will engage.

Mission Beyond the Walls. Disciple making is not confined to church activities. It extends into neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and even across nations.

Leadership Alignment. Finally, leaders align the entire church around these principles. Staff, elders, and volunteers all “bleed” disciple making, ensuring the culture is consistent.

“The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.”

The apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave two proofs that a believer truly knows Jesus: they keep his commands and they imitate him.