1. Commitment Stage

This stage begins with the individual’s desire to grow and a willingness to be discipled by a member of Lifeline Church.  The individual can be anyone, ranging from someone recently reached through outreach or evangelism to any new or growing believer.

2. Matching Stage

Once an individual expresses a desire to be discipled, the next step in the process is for him or her to be paired with a mentor.  This paring relationship can occur naturally, as with someone already in relationship with that individual, or a mentor can be suggested by a leader at Lifeline.  Appropriately, women are always pared with other women, and men with other men.

3. Evaluation/Training Stage

In this stage, the individual and mentor together will consider the individual’s spiritual depth and relationship with Jesus.  This evaluation can be undertaken using formal self-assessment tools or accomplished in a more informal manner.  Once an evaluation is completed, the individual and mentor will select the appropriate discipling tools and will then work through that process together.  The process would normally include building a faithful relationship with Jesus Christ and applying God’s Word to one’s life.

4. Ministry Stage

While ministry occurs at all points in the life of a Christian, at this stage the individual becomes more intentional at applying what he or she has learned to ministering to others.  Ministries at Lifeline would include (but are not limited to) prayer, evangelism, outreach, mentoring, LIFE group leadership, church leadership, hospitality, children’s ministry, worship ministry, etc.  The ultimate goal of this stage is to be a disciple who makes other disciples.