5 Disciplemaking Questions Every Church Must Answer

John McClendon | January 22, 2026

There are five disciplemaking questions every church must answer to properly evaluate their disciplemaking environment. These questions don’t shame, pressure, or complicate ministry. Instead, they clarify, simplify, and focus the mission. They help churches see where they are, where they’re going, and what needs attention.

Imagine purchasing a used car that looked flawless—fresh paint, spotless interior, low mileage. But within days, the dashboard lit up with warnings: low tire pressure, engine issues, overdue maintenance. The car looked great, but the dashboard told the truth. It revealed what was happening beneath the surface.

Churches are a lot like that car. From the outside, a church can appear healthy—good attendance, strong programs, friendly people. But appearances don’t always reveal reality. A church may be busy without being fruitful, active without being intentional, or growing numerically without growing spiritually.

That’s why a church needs a Disciplemaking Dashboard. I described, in a recent post, what the Disciplemaking Dashboard might look like. However, a church doesn’t just need a Disciplemaking Dashboard. The church must also answer these five disciplemaking questions.

Let’s walk through each one.

Q1 – Have You Clearly Defined Disciplemaking for Your Church?

Every church talks about discipleship, but not every church defines it the same way. Some see it as Bible study. Others see it as mentoring. Others see it as programs, classes, or spiritual disciplines.

This first question forces a church to articulate, in simple and biblical terms, what a disciple is and what a disciple does.When a church defines disciplemaking clearly:

• Leaders gain alignment
• Members gain clarity
• Ministries gain purpose
• The mission gains traction

A clear definition becomes the foundation for everything else. It’s the “north star” that guides decisions, priorities, and strategies.

Without it, disciplemaking becomes accidental. With it, disciplemaking becomes intentional.

Q2 – Have You Determined Your Disciplemaking Context?

Disciplemaking doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in a specific context. Every church has a unique context based upon its community, its culture, its history, its strengths, and its challenges. This question helps churches identify:

• Who God has placed around them
• Who God has placed within their congregation
• What needs, opportunities, and barriers exist
• What rhythms and realities shape people’s lives

A rural church disciples differently than an urban church. A church of 75 in attendance disciples differently than a church of 700. A congregation filled with young families disciples differently than one filled with retirees.

Determining your context doesn’t change the mission—it clarifies the method.

Q3 – Have You Designed Disciplemaking Connections?

Discipleship requires connection. People grow when they are relationally engaged, spiritually challenged, and intentionally supported.  Church leader(s) should examine if the systems, programs, processes, and culture is designed to connect people to the church in ways in which disciplemaking can take place.

Connections may include:

• Sunday School
• Small or Micro-Groups
• One-on-one mentoring
• Guest follow-up
• New member connections
• Ministry involvement

The key is intentionality.

• Connections must be designed—not assumed.
• They must be structured—not accidental.
• They must be accessible—not confusing.

When a church designs clear disciplemaking connections, people know where to go, how to grow, and who will walk with them.

Q4 – Have You Developed a Disciplemaking Culture of Service?

A disciple is not simply a learner—they are a servant. Jesus made this unmistakably clear when He washed His disciples’ feet and said, “I have given you an example.” This fourth question helps churches evaluate whether service is:

• Encouraged
• Explained
• Modeled
• Celebrated
• Expected

A disciplemaking church doesn’t just teach about serving—it creates opportunities for people to serve. It equips them, empowers them, and releases them.

A culture of service transforms spectators into participants, consumers into contributors, and attenders into disciplemakers. A culture of service provides the environment in which every believer discovers his or her place in the body. The result is Christ being magnified to a lost world as the body functions as it should.

Q5 – How Are You Delivering Disciplemaking Outcomes?

Disciplemaking isn’t just about activity—it’s about fruit. This question moves beyond intentions to evaluating the actual outcomes of the church’s disciplemaking efforts. It’s not enough to say we’re making disciples; we must ask, what kind of disciples are we making?

The Disciplemaking Dashboard suggests five practical, measurable outcomes to help churches assess and celebrate progress:

• Bible Engagement – Are people consistently interacting with Scripture in ways that shape their lives?
• Gospel Conversations – Are members actively sharing their faith in everyday settings?
• Attending – Are people showing up regularly and meaningfully participating in the life of the church?
• Serving – Are believers using their gifts to build up the body and bless others?
• Missions – Are individuals and groups engaging in local and global mission efforts?

These outcomes aren’t rigid metrics—they’re relational indicators. They help leaders see where growth is happening, where support is needed, and how to communicate progress in ways that inspire the congregation.

Delivering disciplemaking outcomes means moving from vague hopes to visible fruit. It’s how churches turn vision into impact.

John McClendon’s Disciplemaking Dashboard is more than a tool—it’s a mindset shift for churches seeking to take discipleship seriously. Consider ordering the book for your church leaders or bringing a D-Five Diagnostic Workshop to your church or association.