Misconceptions about disciple making movements

By Shodankeh Johnson

misconceptions about DISCIPLE MAKING MOVEMENTS (dmm) are not new, so we should not try to avoid them or feel discouraged by them.

We live in a world where skeptics watch for anything that doesn’t fit their paradigm. As practitioners, we have to keep on doing the right things and making sure that what we do is biblically aligned, theologically sound, and experientially demonstrated.

Over the years, the following misconceptions have been among those heard most often from critics:

9 DMM Misconceptions

1. DMM only works in rural areas.

This is not true. DMM principles can work anywhere when applied with patience and an understanding that we may face initial setbacks and even some outright failures. Numerous case studies demonstrate that DMM can work in all kinds of settings if the Lord wills.

2. DMM is simple.

In fact, the opposite: DMM is hard work. We need to put a lot of work into getting a movement off the ground. The process requires prayer, goal setting, planning and organization, strategic thinking, team building, resource mobilization, and diligent effort. DMM is not a spiritual jackpot that gives dividends in an instant. It involves hard work with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

3. DMM is unstructured and lacks leadership depth.

This concern depends on which DMM process one looks at, as some movements have more or different structures than others. In order to last generationally, a DMM should have structures in its DNA to deepen the process.

These structures include strategic forecast, creating teams, ongoing training, and coaching, and course corrections to avoid degradation. They also include identifying and mobilizing local resources, enhancing pair coaching and accountability, ensuring local leadership (with a focus on ordinary people), and creating an environment of in-depth leadership development.

4. DMM only works in Africa and Asia.

The folly of this accusation can be seen in that it limits what God can do with His people who are willing and obedient to His Word and His Spirit. Jesus said, “With God all things are possible,” and Paul wrote, ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

So this process can work anywhere if God wills and his servants exercise enough commitment in doing it. If an ordinary human can fly a plane at 40,000 feet above sea level and land it safely, what could be impossible for a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led disciple maker?

5. DMM is opposed to established (legacy) churches.

On the contrary, the DMM model normally seeks to work through local churches, working with established (legacy) churches that are flexible enough to consider DMM principles.

These are not a new idea but an old biblical truth, distilled and put into a new wineskin. DMM works best in a catalytic environment of existing churches that are passionate enough to see the Great Commission fulfilled.

6. DMM is not a reality but consists mostly of exaggerated reporting.

In fact, credible and confirmed reporting reveals thousands of disciple makers being used mightily by God to break the devil’s forces and set free thousands of lost souls in cities, communities, tribes, and nations.

God is using simple biblical truth to do the impossible and showcase His glory. For those willing to really consider it, abundant evidence is available of God moving in great ways, using DMM to open the eyes of spiritually blind people around the world.

7. DMM does not have the theological depth to survive in the long run.

If theological depth required rigorous formal theological education in a classroom format, this concern would require serious consideration. However, a quick look through the New Testament shows that God does not require formal theological education in a classroom, to bring theological depth and spiritual maturity.

DMM employs non-formal, hands-on, ongoing training on the job. The DNA of the process builds on Jesus’ approach to training His disciples, who became powerful dynamos through the power of the Holy Spirit. In a successful DMM, training cascades down through multiple levels, to reach and include ordinary people who would not meet heavy academic requirements.

At the same time, disciples in DMM have passion, great faith, willingness to obey, and the power of the Holy Spirit—enough to launch evangelistic outreach that most traditionally theologically-trained students might never try. DMM aims to equip disciples solidly rooted and grounded in Christ through his word, and obedient enough to multiply disciples and disciple-makers in their natural networks.

These form new obedience-based replicating churches focused on believing, following, and worshiping Jesus everywhere. This allows a movement to survive and thrive, both in the present and generationally.

8. DMM is opposed to church buildings.

In DMM, we don’t necessarily oppose church buildings, but we believe that buildings should not be our primary focus. We deliberately focus more on reaching lost people. We intentionally create relationships that lead to trust and then eventually, to spiritual discussion that can open doors for a discovery process. 

We want to major on the major things (loving the lost and discipling them to conversion) and minor on minor things (including buildings). In DMM, we desire to focus on patterns that can be easily replicated by disciples and disciple-makers, both now and in the future.

9. DMM has no room for professionals.

Actually, DMM does not exclude anyone with childlike faith from participating in their Father’s business. The challenge arises if professionals have a mindset that limits them from accepting and applying the simple things of God’s kingdom.

Those preferring a complex orientation often find it difficult to accept the Holy Spirit’s leading through ordinary and local people. However, professionals who are willing to let go of Ivorian thinking can naturally flow well with the DMM process

DMM is not a new technique at odds with biblical truth. It is a Christ-focused strategy, grounded in biblical truth, bearing much fruit for His glory in our day. We simply desire to follow the New Testament pattern: rapidly multiplying obedient disciples and churches everywhere, through simple and Spirit-led ministry.