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HOUSTON—Multiplication through disciple-making took center stage during the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s 2015 Bible Conference at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Nov. 8-9. In addition to main session speakers, this year’s conference featured breakout sessions, which allowed participants to choose specific focus areas for discipleship and included Spanish and women’s tracks.
Craig Etheredge
Craig Etheredge, pastor of First Baptist Church of Colleyville, opened the Bible Conference with a message from John 1:35-46. Recalling his experience as a young pastor who was discipled by older Christian businessmen in his church, Etheredge said he began to study Jesus’ model of ministry.
Jesus created a movement of multiplication and the secret to his movement was disciple-making, Etheredge said.
“Disciple-making is leading [people] to Christ and showing them how to walk with God in such a way that they reproduce their life in the [lives] of others,” he explained.
Disciple-making is not just giving information, having an accountability partner, starting small groups or implementing a program, Etheredge said. Jesus had an intentional plan for making disciples, which requires personal investment of time, energy and effort.
“I’m really convinced the longer I live that Jesus’ view of success is a church that is consistently, persistently, over time doing the hard work of making disciples that reproduce because Jesus commanded us to do it,” Etheredge said.
Joy in ministry isn’t in big events, he said. Joy comes from seeing Christians grow in the Lord and begin to disciple others. That’s what will ensure joyful, lifelong ministry.
Etheredge concluded by calling on pastors to join a movement of disciple-making.
“I believe God is at work in a new reformation, a new awakening back to the ancient model of Jesus of disciple-making.”
Gregg Matte
Gregg Matte, pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church, issued a challenge for Christians to use their entire lives to disciple others.
Teaching on the example of Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18, Matte explained that the couple used their marriage, their job and their home as tools for discipling the Apostle Paul and the gifted church leader Apollos.
In order to be good disciple-makers, Matte said, pastors and their wives should model healthy marriages. “The number one thing we’ve got to do, gentlemen, is we’ve got to keep our marriages sound and solid.”
Additionally, Matte said, often the best method for disciple-making is being a good friend. Priscilla and Aquila were friends with Paul for 16 years in 3 different countries. With Apollos, they listened, invited him to learn, explained the Scriptures and released him for ministry.
Ben Stuart
Ben Stuart, executive director of Breakaway Ministries in College Station, encouraged pastors to invest in the next generation. He taught from 2 Timothy 4:9-13, explaining how Paul mentored and sent out young men for ministry.
“As you pursue God, do not neglect imparting these things to young men,” Stuart said. “Jesus started his ministry like this; Paul ended his ministry like this.”
Stuart said churches cannot thrive without intentional investment in future generations.
“We cannot be indifferent … if we care about the gospel,” Stuart said.
Having worked with college students for more than a decade, Stuart said young people want to learn from those who are older. They have energy and zeal but also realize they need wisdom.
In selecting individuals to disciple, Stuart said to “sow broadly but select carefully.” Rather than just going after the most charismatic young people, he instructed pastors to follow Paul’s charge to Timothy to pick those who are faithful and committed to ministry.
“Talent without character is a disaster waiting to happen,” Stuart said.
Ken Adams
Ken Adams, pastor of Crossroads Church in Newnan, Ga., called on Christians to abide in Christ and to teach others how to do it. Teaching from John 15:1-11, Adams said disciples best glorify God through bearing fruit, which includes making disciples who make disciples.
The fullness of joy Jesus refers to in John 15:11 comes when Christians multiply themselves, he said.
“If you have never had that moment in your life when you have seen somebody that you have discipled making somebody else a disciple, then you will never know the joy that Jesus wants you to know.”
Adams acknowledged the demands of ministry, saying pastors must be intentional in order to multiply.
“The ultimate mark of a disciple is that he makes other disciples,” Adams said.
“Which life do you think brings God more glory: a life of addition or a life of multiplication? … What we’re called to do as church leaders is very clear. Whether or not we will do it, not so clear.”
Officers Elected
The Bible Conference elected new officers for next year’s conference, which will be held at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Nov. 13-14, 2016.
Danny Forshee, pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, was elected unopposed as Bible Conference president after being nominated by Steve Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pflugerville.
Mike Phillips, pastor of First Baptist Church in Wimberley, was elected unopposed as first vice president, nominated by Bill Gernenz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Blanco.
Rod Minor, pastor of Anderson Mills Baptist Church in Austin, was elected unopposed as second vice president, nominated by Scott Moody, pastor of Life Outreach Ministries in Kirbyville.
