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BY CHRISTOPHER T. HOLMES

Discipler Groups, a unique ministry that combines elements of spiritual covenant groups and corporate coaching, has completed a second year with overwhelming approval from its participants.

In May, 172 pastors gave extensive feedback in a survey about the Discipler Group process that will influence how the Baltimore-Washington Conference will move forward in its efforts to equip pastors.

Discipler Groups are teams of pastors throughout the conference that meet monthly to explore a variety of topics related to growing disciples.

The survey found that 80 percent of those who responded said they were supportive of the Discipleship Adventure.

In addition, two-thirds felt that they were benefiting from participation in the Discipler Groups, as opposed to one-half who answered the same way in a similar survey last year.

Grouping of Pastors

Of the clergy who responded to the survey, 86 percent expressed positive opinions of meeting with the pastors in their groups and found the peer-learning and support aspects of the Discipler Groups to be the most valuable.

There were lots of strong opinions expressed about grouping pastors according to "affinity" to learn from peers in similar church settings and about grouping pastors by "geography" so they can work together regionally and save on travel costs. Two-thirds of those who responded said they would choose to stay with their present group.

Discipler Group Materials

What pastors liked least about the Discipler Group experience were the material developed for each session and the presentations. However, there does not seem to be a clear consensus around what pastors expect from this material or what they would change.

A preference for pre-produced, high-quality instructional DVD material and the ongoing need to represent diversity stood out as two areas of concern.

The themes of the sessions that garnered the most appreciation were "visioning," "small groups" and "managing conflict well."

Many also suggested that a new format is needed for sharing Discipler Group material with the laity in local churches.

Additional suggestions included adding an annual retreat, having worship led by pastors in a worshipful space, fixing technological problems, providing more opportunities to share life stories and doing case studies.

Guides and Coaching Calls

While two-thirds expressed positive opinions on the quality of their Discipler Guide, there was a general recognition of a need for an increase in the coaching skills of the Guides.

There were many comments about Guides "going through the motions" in coaching calls. Some pastors even responded, "What coaching calls?"

Several respondents also suggested that the Guides need to find additional ways to interact with the laity in churches.

A majority of pastors who responded to the survey appreciated the leadership it has taken to get the entire conference moving in one direction. However, a significant number of the pastors also expressed a desire for greater collaboration in the coaching calls and the choice to "opt out."

Changes on the Horizon

Conference leaders have examined the survey results and are suggesting some changes as the Discipler Groups move forward.

Groupings of Pastors

Due to changes caused by the district realignments and the natural evolution of the Discipler Groups, many groups will be reconfigured this fall, especially the groups in the Baltimore area. Each region is thinking strategically in reassigning group members.

Discipler Group Materials

The themes of the next Discipler Group series are "Serve" and "Share." A group of 12 volunteer pastors, representing each region, has already met to lay the plans for the next seven Discipler Group sessions.

Their planning was followed by a full-day retreat with the Discipler Guides to complete the curriculum.

The survey showed that the clear strength of the groups is the connection between the pastors and the ideas they share with one another.

Rather than expecting the Discipler Group material to attempt to "be all things to all people," it will be treated as a resource to jump-start the process of peer learning in each group. Each Guide will be encouraged to adapt the material to their group. Flexibility is expected to be the norm, not the exception.

The DVD presentations will be available for download from the Web immediately following the session, along with a special 12-minute DVD of the material, specifically edited for use with the laity in a variety of settings in each local church, such as administrative council meetings, small groups and planning sessions.

The Discipler planners are striving to use more pre-produced, professional DVD materials, encouraging worship to be led by pastors each time a Discipler Group meets, and meeting at sites where the technology to show a DVD is already in place.

Guides and Coaching Calls

In October, Guides will receive intensive training in the "art of coaching" provided by Coach Training International, a large, international professional coaching organization.

The Guides will be strengthening the collaboration they have with pastors in an attempt to determine what resources will be most helpful in growing Acts 2 churches.

In September, pastors will be asked to provide input about how their churches can best be served.

Not all pastors will receive coaching calls. Guides will be focusing their coaching attention strategically. The particulars of this relationship will be worked out in what is called a "designed alliance" between the Guide and the pastor.

In addition, coaching calls will not necessarily be based on the Discipler Group material. The phone calls will be a separate experience focusing on the goals, challenges and growth needs of the pastor.

We very much appreciate the thoughtful responses to the survey from almost one-third or our active clergy. The frank and open input is strengthening the evolution of these groups for the future.

The Rev. Chris Holmes is superintendent of the Annapolis District and the leader of the Discipler Group ministry.