Conference Overview

Years ago I was confronted with a very uncomfortable reality. It was brought to my attention by two Methodist pastors in central Kentucky who decided to evaluate their congregations, the ministries, the programs, and the fruit of their efforts in a mainline denomination. What they concluded was this: at the end of the day, when all was said and done they had produced “churchgoers.” Most of their people were active in worship and participated in the programs of the church. They gave their money and helped in ministry. All of that looked good on the outside, but the painful truth was they were not producing “disciples.” In reality, the influence of the “world” was stronger than the “kingdom of God” and in actual behavior their people looked just about like the world.

These two courageous pastors began to challenge the status quo of their congregations and over a period of time emphasized discipleship as the goal. It was difficult at first because most people want the comfort of the churchgoer world. Discipleship has a much higher price tag. It has to do with losing your life, picking up your cross and following Jesus. It has to do with sacrifice; surrender and submission to His will be done.

The From Churchgoer to Disciple conference, takes a serious look at the commandment of Jesus from Matthew 28 to go into all the world and “make disciples” of the nations. It helps people see where they are and where they need to go. It is an encouraging conference that affirms much of what is good in our churches, but also elevates the high calling of pressing on toward the prize.

Unfortunately, much of the church in the West is comfortable with the culture and in many ways compromised. There is much data to suggest that “churchgoers” are very much like their unchurched neighbors. We will look at why this is the case and how to move from a playing church to being the church. We believe Jesus has a much higher vision for His people and His church.

The major teachings of the conference identify the characteristics of Churchgoers and the characteristics of Disciples and how to move into discipleship as the norm. This has to do with a revelation of Jesus that grips the heart and captures your affections for His Kingdom and His Glory. We discuss the “bridal paradigm” and conclude by discussing why such intimacy with our Lord is so critical for the people of God. We will also look at some of the stark warnings Jesus gives us about those whose faith is shallow and who will fall away.

This is a challenge conference and designed to bring about
significant self-evaluation.

Testimonies

Go to the conference if you have a chance. You’ll be blessed. Alan is gifted, articulate, spirit filled and bold in his teaching. You’ll be blessed if you attend one of his seminars.- Churchgoer to Disciple conference

It was a wonderful workshop. I felt empowered and encouraged to work towards helping others to make the journey from “pew potato” to disciple. We get all worked up about spreading the gospel outside the church, (unfortunately we have to do it in the church first!). - Churchgoer to disciple

Father Hansen is a true man of God and a very good teacher and pastor. People should attend these conferences. - Churchgoer to Disciple

Thank you for your witness to us, for Acts 29, “From Churchgoer to Disciple”, and for the tremendous YouthQuake weekend. I really enjoyed chaperoning a room full of teenage girls and they enjoyed me- another pleasant surprise! Keep up the great work. - Churchgoer to Disciple

The weekend helped me shape up an intentional plan to grow.- Churchgoer to Disciple