April 29, 2025

The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

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The 3 Thirds Process: building in multiplication
Disciple-making, Training, Church Planting

The 3 Thirds Process: building in multiplication

This entry is part 12 of 15 in the series "Church planting". In our post on “Building Your Multiplication Process”, we mentioned that we intentionally built processes into our various group gatherings so that the believers will be constantly reminded and enabled to “pass it on” to others. Multiplication will be built into all our environments. One of the tools we mentioned was the “3 Thirds Process” developed by Ying Kai during his time in China. (See his book, T4T: A Discipleship Re-Revolution). Kai sought to build a church culture that would expect multiplication to happen. He also wanted to develop a system that would make it simple to pass on. To build this culture and this system, Ying Kay developed what he called the 3 Thirds process.  Notice that this model is not a specific curriculum for the Bible portion of a Bible study. Rather, it is a well-rounded process used in… Read the whole post
David North10 mins read
Multiplication Process Development in Ministry: Strategies and Tools
Church Planting, Disciple-making, DMM, Mentoring, Mission Methodologies

Multiplication Process Development in Ministry: Strategies and Tools

This entry is part 11 of 15 in the series "Church planting". The right materials and methods won’t result in multiplication unless we have developed an intentional process designed to multiply. A long process of learning I was speaking to a group of missionaries in Asia about developing a ministry of multiplying disciple-makers. I was telling them how we had developed a process in our church plant where we were making disciples who make disciples who make disciples. At that point, one of the missionaries asked me how long it took us to develop that process. I didn’t exactly know how to answer that question. After all, it was a cumulation of learning things over the years and of trying and developing methods and processes. Collecting the right tools During 33 years as a church planter, I was constantly looking for or modifying or developing materials to be more effective… Read the whole post
David North5 mins read
Building a Multiplication Process – What will it take?
Training

Building a Multiplication Process – What will it take?

This entry is part 10 of 15 in the series "Church planting". Building your multiplication process starts with understanding what it takes. It was my personal goal that everyone in our church could help plant a new church in the future. For that to happen, we needed to discover or develop methods that would be transferable. We needed a process that would enable all the members to join the work of making disciples. As we try to build a growth track for making, growing, and equipping disciples, it is helpful to clarify the stages it normally takes for a person to go from being “lost and unconnected” to becoming the mature and fruitful disciple God wants. Of course, each person grows in a unique way. But there normally is a sequence of stages of spiritual growth as a person moves from “lost and unconnected” to becoming a 3M disciple (maturing, ministering, and multiplying).… Read the whole post
David North5 mins read
Adopting a Multiplication Mindset
Church Planting, Disciple-making, Evangelism

Adopting a Multiplication Mindset

This entry is part 9 of 15 in the series "Church planting". Is it more important for missionaries to win souls or to equip soul winners? Is it more important to make disciples or to make disciple-makers? In both cases, the former is addition and the latter is multiplication. Jesus had a multiplication mindset When Jesus called his first disciples, he wasn’t just thinking of their salvation and new life. He was planning on equipping them to do what he did – fish for people and make disciples. Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” In other words, “I will demonstrate it. You follow me and watch how I do it. I’ll equip you, and then you will be able to do the same thing as I am doing with you.” When Jesus chose his disciples, he was not just thinking of his disciples. He… Read the whole post
David North6 mins read
Example of an Exit Plan for a House Church Plant
Church Planting, DMM

Example of an Exit Plan for a House Church Plant

This entry is part 8 of 15 in the series "Church planting". What does a healthy house church look like? What are the elements of a healthy house church that would indicate to you that it will continue on and grow and multiply without you being present at the meetings? Exit Planning In our last few blog posts, we have discussed how helpful it is to envision the time when we are no longer needed in a church plant. We need to describe the functions and qualities that we would like to see in place and under local leadership. Once this happens, we can confidently move on and focus elsewhere. We called this an “exit plan” or a “transition plan.” Some may want to call this document a “church health plan” or a “finish line” and the process “end-visioning.” As cross-cultural workers, we are always aware that we have been called to… Read the whole post
David North6 mins read
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