Continuous Innovation in Discipleship: Gardenview Baptist’s Journey to Deeper Growth
In a world where innovation often feels like a buzzword reserved for tech companies and startups, Pastor Jason Reid of Gardenview Baptist Church is proving that it holds a vital place in the church as well. Over the past five years, Gardenview has embarked on a journey of continuous innovation, particularly in their disciple-making strategies. This journey, marked by consistent yet flexible changes, has not only transformed their church culture but has also deeply enriched the spiritual lives of its members.
A Shift in Focus
“When I came in five years ago, and I started this, it didn’t look anything like it does today. This has evolved over five years, and we’re still tweaking it,” shared Pastor Jason during our conversation. His approach exemplifies continuous innovation—making ongoing, intentional adjustments that align with the church’s mission without deviating from it. For Gardenview, this has meant reimagining discipleship, not as a static program but as a dynamic, evolving journey.
Initially, Pastor Jason set up discipleship groups with a reading plan and memory verses. These were tied into sermons and lessons throughout the week. However, as the church engaged with these practices, they began to see the need for deeper integration and more personal engagement. This led to a significant shift: every sermon, lesson, and discussion became rooted in the church’s shared reading plan.
“Sunday morning, I’m preaching the memory verse. Sunday night, I preach a message from the daily reading plan. Wednesday night, I show my personal quiet time. It’s all about reinforcing what we’re reading together,” Jason explained. This shift has not only unified the church’s teaching but has also empowered members to take ownership of their spiritual growth.
Sunday School: A New Approach
One of the significant innovations at Gardenview is how even their Sunday school classes now revolve around the personal reading plans. Pastor Jason has been intentional about transforming traditional Sunday school into an extension of the discipleship strategy. “We’ve changed two Sunday school classes, and we’re starting another, where the entire class functions as a small group,” Jason noted. In these classes, members sit together and discuss what they have read throughout the week, literally going day by day through the Scripture. “We’re not starting any more traditional Sunday school classes,” Jason added, indicating a shift towards a more interactive, discussion-based format that directly ties into the personal quiet times.
This approach ensures that every aspect of the church’s educational ministry is interconnected. Sunday school is no longer just a separate time of learning; it’s an integral part of the continuous innovation that is happening across the church. The discussions in these classes are designed to reinforce what members have been reading in their personal time, creating a cohesive and immersive spiritual experience.
Empowering the Congregation
One of the most remarkable outcomes of this continuous innovation is the way it has empowered Gardenview’s congregation. On Sunday nights, members are invited to share their favorite quiet time moments, giving the church body a platform to hear from one another rather than just the pastor. This practice has fostered a deep sense of community and accountability.
“I give opportunities for people in the church to stand up at microphones and give a brief overview of one of their favorite quiet times from the week. So the people are hearing from their peers, not just from their pastor,” Jason noted. This peer-to-peer sharing has become a powerful tool for spiritual growth, as it allows members to see the practical application of scripture in each other’s lives.
Challenges and Considerations
While Gardenview’s journey has been fruitful, it hasn’t been without challenges. Pastor Jason candidly shared that not everyone has fully embraced the changes. “The ones that have bought in are doing very well with it. The ones that have not bought in are lagging behind,” he observed. This highlights an important aspect of continuous innovation: it requires patience and perseverance, especially when leading a diverse group of people.
For other church leaders considering similar innovations, Pastor Jason offers this advice: “Our reading plan is written for all ages, so if the family buys into it, they can all do the same quiet time every day.”
Coaching Questions for Church Leaders
How can you create a unified approach to discipleship in your church? Consider how your sermons, Sunday school, and midweek services could reinforce the same biblical themes, allowing your congregation to engage more deeply with the scripture.
What opportunities can you provide for peer-to-peer sharing? Reflect on ways to empower your congregation to share their spiritual insights and growth with each other, fostering a stronger sense of community.
Are there areas in your current ministry that could benefit from continuous innovation? Identify one or two aspects of your church’s ministry that could be improved through ongoing, incremental changes.
How can you ensure that everyone in your church is moving forward together? Consider the challenges of leading a diverse congregation and think about strategies to encourage widespread buy-in to new initiatives.
Gardenview Baptist Church’s journey of continuous innovation is a testament to the power of thoughtful, intentional change. As Pastor Jason wisely remarked, “We’re still finding better ways to do it, and we’re realizing what may not work. That’s why it’s called continuous innovation—because we’re still making it better.” His experience serves as an inspiration for other churches seeking to grow and adapt in today’s ever-changing world.