Building a Multiplying Church in 2026

Key takeaways

Focus on multiplication over mere growth—true discipleship creates a multiplying church.
Define clear outcomes for discipleship to recognize and cultivate desired disciple characteristics.
Assess current discipleship efforts to identify actual relationships and practices that align with biblical teachings.
Choose suitable vehicles (strategies and approaches) that will lead to the destination of multiplication.
Incorporate consistent rhythms of prayer and fasting to enhance the disciple-making process.
Invest in key individuals within your church who can act as multipliers of discipleship.
Start implementing these concepts now to create a meaningful and impactful disciple-making plan for 2026.

Summary

Introduction to Disciple Making for 2026

The podcast kicks off with a challenge to rethink the objectives for the church in the upcoming year. Instead of merely aiming for growth, there’s a call to focus on multiplication within the church community. The host emphasizes that true disciple-making requires intentionality and a clear plan, rather than hope for organic growth.

Destination vs. Activity in Discipleship

The discussion stresses the importance of knowing the desired outcomes in terms of discipleship. Just as a road trip requires clarity on the destination, a church must define what kind of disciples it seeks to cultivate. Without a clear picture of the target disciple, it will be challenging to recognize the results when they emerge.

Assessing Current Discipleship Practices

The podcast urges listeners to engage in a reality check: assessing who is currently being discipled, who is providing that discipleship, and the nature of practices being formed within the church community. This awareness is essential before drafting an effective disciple-making plan for the future.

Choosing the Right Vehicles for Discipleship

In a compelling metaphor, the host compares churches to vehicles that must be appropriate for the destination. Not all church programs and approaches will lead to multiplication. The right systems and strategies must be employed to facilitate true transformation in the congregation.

Creating Rhythm for Multiplication

Listeners are guided on establishing consistent rhythms that encourage multiplication. This involves embedding prayer and fasting within church practices and making paths for new believers clearer. Regular engagement in these rhythms fosters a community focused on making disciples who can, in turn, make more disciples.

Investment in Key Multipliers

Emphasizing the need for leaders within the church to identify and focus on key individuals who can drive the disciple-making movement, the podcast discusses investing time and resources into these multipliers. This strategy can catalyze wider influence and effectiveness within the church.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode wraps up with a motivating call to action. The host encourages listeners to begin implementing these ideas immediately, urging them to start the process of crafting their 2026 disciple-making plan with intentionality and purpose.

Show notes

Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/

Join us at the 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/

Building a Disciple-Making Plan for 2026 | Disciple Maker's Podcast

Join us for the first Disciple Maker's Podcast episode of 2026, where we dive into creating an effective disciple-making plan for your church. We'll explore the importance of focusing on multiplication over mere church growth, setting clear visions and goals, and designing intentional pathways to help your congregation follow Jesus and make disciples who make disciples. Learn how to define success, choose the right vehicles for disciple-making, create impactful rhythms, and invest in key multipliers within your church. Embark on a year-long journey to transform your church's approach to discipleship and witness significant Kingdom impact. For more resources, visit discipleship.org.

00:00 Introduction and Vision for 2026 00:42 The Importance of Multiplication Over Growth 02:18 Defining the Destination: What Kind of Disciples? 06:54 Choosing the Right Vehicles for Disciple Making 10:25 Reality Check: Assessing Your Current Disciple Making 15:20 Hijacking Church Programs for Disciple Making 17:16 Building a 2026 Disciple Making Plan 22:50 Creating Multiplication Rhythms 26:14 Identifying and Investing in Multipliers 27:48 Embedding Prayer and Fasting 28:52 Simplifying the Pathway for New Believers 30:15 Conclusion and Call to Action