The process for launching a Discipling Marketplace Leaders Ministry is described in the following flowchart:
Step One: Community Entry – DML is shared on a one-to-one basis with pastors and Christian leaders. This is done at conferences, pastor associations, seminary, and Bible School administrators.
Step Two: Awareness Creation – Brief teaching introduction: 2-4 hours
Step Three: Fourteen-hour workshop (two-three days) for pastors and key leaders. This provides decision makers with the theological foundation of church-based business as mission as well as an in-depth explanation of the different parts of the ministry.
Step Four: Application of Intent with commitment to “30 Days in the Marketplace.” Before DML gets directly involved the senior pastor is asked to do four sermons on Church-based Business as Mission. In addition, the church is provided devotions, videos and bible studies to help the congregation understand work as worship.
Step Five: The church, led by the senior pastor, carries out the 30 Days in the Marketplace and reports back to the DML representative.
Following completion of the above steps, DML representatives are invited to the church to meet with the pastoral staff and business leaders. It is at this time a decision is made as to which of three trainings would be done. This is based on input from those attending the meeting as to the training most needed. The three possible training components are:
- Microbusiness Training – startups, single person enterprises from street hawkers to small shops.
- Small and Medium Business Training – designed for a business that has two or more employees.
- Leaders in the Workplace – targeting all those who hold jobs and want to gain an understanding of personal responsibility as a Christian in the marketplace,
All the programs require a commitment to follow through with completing the homework and in- class assignments. The goal is application, not simply content mastery.
Mentoring and Advocacy – participants are encouraged to enter into mentoring relationships, usually peer to peer facilitated by the local church and the DML staff. The DML staff is encouraged to work with participants to target areas that businesses can work together on to correct things like bribery, political bullying and environmental issues.
Training of Trainers – The goal of DML is to empower and equip the local congregation to use Church-based Business as Mission as a key part of the family of ministries that make up the training and discipling in the church. To this end, DML provides training for those selected by the local church to be trainers in the three types of training offered by DML. The goal is for DML to step back over time into a consulting role when needed and desired. Once the TOT is completed the local church takes full ownership.
On-Going Discipleship – DML is committed to helping pastors establish their role as equippers of the saints (Eph. 4:12). Transformation is an inside/outside process. It is essential that local congregations understand that discipleship begins with training and equipping and is completed with application and transformation. Knowledge in the church must be expressed in transformation in the community. Both of these are essential for fulfilling the call to disciple the nations.