Scott Sullivan and John Spencer (Discipleship Team Leader at Sherwood Baptist  Church in Albany, GA) introduced FORMED, A Discipleship Culture Blueprint, a new resource developed over 2.5 years to help Georgia Baptist churches create disciple-making cultures rather than programs. This resource addresses the core question: How do we reach new people, connect them to the church, move them to spiritual maturity,  and launch them to multiply. 

• Four core elements: Real Relationships, Transformational Teaching, Disciple Making Environments, and Intentional Multiplication 

• Built from dozens of pastor roundtables identifying common church struggles. • Developed by Scott Sullivan, Ray Sullivan (now Pastor at First Waycross), and PJ  Dunn (overseeing Revitalization at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board) • Will be taught through six regional cohorts led by trained leaders, including John.
 
Key Definitions: 

• Culture: The shared expression of beliefs, values, and rhythms that define an  organization's identity; "how it feels" rather than just mission or vision
• Disciple (Georgia Baptist definition): A committed, passionate follower of Jesus  Christ, based on 2 Timothy 2:1-7's four generations of disciples and three-word pictures (soldier, athlete, farmer) 

Three essential questions every pastor should answer: 

• Do we have a culture of discipleship, and is it working? 

• Do you have a definition of a biblical disciple for your people? 

• Does the culture and success of the ministry depend solely on you as the leader? Core Principle: "I hope so is not a strategy" - churches cannot keep running the same play if it's not helping them win. 

Foundation: Jesus invited disciples into a relationship ("follow me"), not a program - discipleship happens best within relational contexts. 

• Like rebar tied together before concrete is poured creates tensile strength,  intentionally tied relationships provide reinforcement when storms come • Without tied relationships, ministry cracks under pressure 

• You cannot pour ministry on top of relationships you never tied together
2:00 AM Friendships: 

• Deep, loyal, hesed-type Old Testament connections that never walk away • Many mature believers lack these foundational relationships 

Know Christ, Love God, Unite with Believers, Serve the World, and Entrust the Gospel - visible everywhere (classrooms, atrium, new member materials) to maintain cultural focus. 

• Equips members to live gospel-centered lives daily, not just share gospel facts • Most valuable component: hearing stories of others interacting with people in their  zones (work, home, neighborhood) 

• Available to share with other churches upon request 

• Michael Catt established Wednesday morning Cracker Barrel group with 5-6 men  who could speak candidly into his leadership 

• Prayer walking neighborhoods with an online sign-up chart tracking coverage across  Albany 

• Daily Bible reading groups (using MacArthur Daily Bible) meeting at 6:00 AM 

• Poor or insufficient signage around campus 

• Greeters who overwhelm rather than read people appropriately • "Holy huddles" that look inward rather than outward 

• Inadequate nursery facilities that parents don't trust 

• Inefficient processes (coffee stations, check-in) that create frustration. Key Insight: Confused people don't move; they wander - clear signage and processes are essential. 

• People want to be noticed, not just noted (Luke 19 - Jesus didn't just see  Zacchaeus, he went to his house) 

• New member classes must set expectations: "Your job as a disciple-maker is to  welcome people to your life, not just your seat." 

• Tell stories constantly - in baptisms, classrooms, social media, pulpit - to inspire and  give ideas 

The managerial trap of settling to manage people rather than shepherd and disciple them - easier to manage groups than invest intimately in messy lives. Personal Disciplines for Leaders: 

• Start with personal abiding - "I can't lead what I don't do." 

• Distinguish between being in the Bible for your people (sermon prep) versus being in  the Bible for yourself 

• Pray specifically: "Lord, who do I invite in?" 

• Most successful ministry comes from one-on-one, one-on-two investments over time. Example: John invested ten years in a man who came hungover most mornings; now that man is leading a college ministry. 

• Invite younger leaders into discipleship groups to pass the torch • Equip them to replicate: "Now you go find some guys." 

• Story: A man moving to North Carolina took extra MacArthur Daily Bibles to start  groups there 

• Partner with existing community services (food banks, deliveries) 
• Prayer walks in neighborhoods 

• Student car washes 

• Leverage natural contexts (pickleball example: introvert wife built new friendships,  led couple to church, provided support during medical crisis) 

North Metro Church built a massive foyer/mall effect holding 500 people, transforming culture by giving space for pre-service connection rather than herding people like cattle. 

• Georgia Baptist Mission Board Discipleship Team: Launch FORMED resource by the end of April, release four podcast episodes every two weeks for cohesive learning • Regional leaders (including John): Prepare to lead cohorts using  an overview/introduction approach (Matthew Gibb’s piece to be distributed) • Churches interested in Sherwood’s On Mission materials: Contact John Spencer at johns@sherwoodbaptist.net for manual/digital copies 

"A church that is easy to attend but hard to connect in will always struggle to multiply.  Bet the farm on relationships - Jesus did."