The Disciple Dilemma (featuring Dennis Allen)

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In Episode 34 of Life After Ministry, Dennis Allen, author of The Disciple Dilemma, shares his journey from a military and corporate background to addressing one of the most significant crises in the church today: the failure of discipleship. Dennis discusses how the church has shifted from making disciples to prioritizing institutional success, leading to widespread disengagement, de-churching, and a broken model of ministry. Drawing on his leadership experience, Dennis explains how churches can refocus on their true mission—making disciples who make disciples.

This episode is crucial for ministry leaders, decision-makers, and anyone grappling with the challenges of church leadership in today’s complex landscape. Dennis offers deep insights into how discipleship can transform churches, reduce pastor burnout, and create lasting impact in the lives of congregations. His message is a wake-up call to rethink the church's mission and rediscover the biblical model of discipleship.

Join us as we dive into practical solutions for reviving discipleship in the church and hear Dennis' heartfelt encouragement to pastors who have transitioned out of ministry, reminding them that their identity is not lost—there is still hope and purpose beyond the pulpit.

Takeaways

• The modern church has shifted from making disciples to focusing on institutional growth, leading to disengagement and the rise of the "de-churched."

• True discipleship is a life-on-life process, not something that can be achieved through programs or one-size-fits-all approaches.

• Pastors are often burdened with unrealistic expectations, leading to burnout and a broken leadership model in many churches.

• Churches need to rediscover their biblical mission: making disciples who make disciples, which starts with leadership modeling the way.

• Even after leaving vocational ministry, pastors can still fulfill their purpose by walking alongside others in discipleship, finding renewed hope and identity.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

00:20 - Dennis Allen’s Journey from Military and Corporate to Ministry

02:21 - Early Mentorship and the Biblical Model of Discipleship

04:30 - The Symptoms of the Discipleship Crisis in the Church

05:01 - The Rise of the "Nones," "Dones," and the De-Churched

07:24 - The Impact of COVID on Church Engagement

08:59 - Institutional Problems in the Church and the Burden on Pastors

11:52 - The Biblical Discipleship Model: Bet Sefer, Bet Midrash, Bet Talmud

14:09 - Implementing Real Discipleship in the Modern Church

17:03 - The Burden of the "Sunday Show" and Outsourcing Spiritual Responsibility

18:32 - Similarities Between Broken Churches and Broken Corporations

20:51 - Reclaiming the Church’s True Mission and Identity

23:03 - The Challenge of Discipleship in a Culture of Instant Gratification

24:45 - Overview of The Disciple Dilemma and Its Goals

26:04 - Encouragement for Pastors Transitioning Out of Ministry

27:30 - Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Dennis Allen