Dear Leader,

Are you a believer?

I don't simply mean, "Are you a Christian?" I mean: Do you really believe, deep in your soul, that discipleship works? That discipleship is not simply a class, a program, or one ministry among many, but the mission Jesus gave us - and therefore should shape everything we do?

Do you believe that discipleship changes everything? Men, marriages, families, churches, communities...even the world?

Do you believe the kind of discipleship that changes lives doesn't happen primarily through an event or an exchange of information, but in the context of relationships?

This has been stirring in me since last month's focus on Meaningful Relationships, and was sparked again after reading chapter three of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. He tells the story of Tony Dungy and how he helped reshape football teams - not by asking players to do extraordinary things, but by helping them do ordinary things extraordinarily well. 

Dungy wanted players to develop habits and responses so deeply that they became almost automatic. But those routines only worked when the players believed in them - especially under pressure. When things got hard, the temptation was to revert to what was familiar, overthink the process, and complicate what was proven.

Sound familiar?

This year I have been rallying leaders around the idea of "Playing the Long Game" - the belief that perseverance in discipleship will bear fruit. So, when life and ministry become challenging, what will we do?

Will we continue to do the ordinary things with extraordinary faithfulness - praying with men, opening God's Word together, having honest conversations, calling one another to obedience, and showing up day after day?

Or will we succumb to pressure and revert to old habits and comfortable practices - busy calendars, bigger events, and more activity that looks like ministry but doesn't necessarily produce disciples?

The real question isn't whether we believe in discipleship. It's whether we believe it enough to stay faithful even when the fruit is slow, the work is hard, and the results aren't obvious.

In Christ,

Nate Flynn

Area Director

Insights from the Model

Culture of Discipleship

 

The primary foundation in the model is what we call a Culture of Discipleship.

 

At its core is a simple conviction: discipleship is the portal priority - the door through which all other ministry flows. Discipleship isn't one more item on the church's menu. Everything we do is either a method of making disciples or an outcome of being disciples.

 

When we stay focused on this missional reality, the picture becomes clear. Efforts like preaching, teaching, bible studies, mentoring, and small groups aren't unrelated activities competing for space on the calendar. They are all methods God uses to form disciples.

 

Desired results like evangelism, worship, generosity, godly families, and fellowship aren't behaviors we have to convince people to engage in - they are the natural outpouring of disciples who love Jesus and love others.

 

That's what culture is: an environment so infused with an idea that it is only natural for people to think, prioritize, and live a certain way.

 

Is discipleship the natural culture of your church, or is some other priority defining your culture?

Engage in the Battle for Men's Souls

Community Groups

Joe With a Bro

Most men don't need another event - they need a place where they can talk about real life. The Joe With a Bro Conversation Cards make that easier by giving you simple prompts that move a group from surface level to meaningful.

Area Directors across the country are helping leaders launch Community Groups around firepits, in living rooms, at the local watering hole, and anywhere men gather. Instead of waiting for men to show up, we're going out to find them.

If you'd like to launch a group to engage men in your community, I'd love to help.

More Info

Your Action Step:

Accountability Checkup

 

I've Under the direction of Coach Dungy, the 2026-2027 Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl. 

Get Accountability Cards

GO DEEPER WITH THIS POST FROM THE MAN IN THE MIRROR BLOG

Accountability: Who Do You Answer To?

 Every day, Christian men fail morally—not because they don’t want to honor God, but because they have blind spots or weaknesses that they think they can manage on their own. They can’t. They need help, but they have no accountability from a trusted friend.... 

Continue Reading

If you have events, resources, or other opportunities for men in Southern Indiana, please use the form below to share them with our network.