Universal Discipleship Pattern Available Online

In the early 1990’s I served as a young church starter/founding pastor in El Paso, Texas. I was invited to the first national meeting of Baptists CAMEO (Contemporary Approaches to Ministry, Evangelism, and Organization) pastors in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Through some divine interventions I found myself on a plane to Albuquerque with several pastors and leaders from Dallas. Erwin McManus, former director of evangelism of the Dallas Baptist Association, encouraged me to participate in this meeting. Jim Walters, Associate pastor at Casa View Baptist Church in Dallas invited me to go since he had an extra ticket. I did not see myself as a CAMEO pastor but the Lord had other designs for that trip.

One of the first people I met was Dr. Thom Wolf, pastor of The Church on Brady in East Los Angeles, now called Mosaic in Los Angeles, California. Thom and I immediately connected. Over time I made trips to California to attend mission conferences with my leadership team from El Paso. The Church on Brady became the leading church in the SBC to deploy church members overseas in global missions.

One of the key teachings I learned from Bro. Thom was the Universal Discipleship Pattern. I asked Bro. Thom if he would allow me to write modules for it to use among new believers and leaders at Pueblo Nuevo Community Church in El Paso. We began to field test the pattern and writing modules for discipleship. Later, in my assignment at Baptist University of the Americas, I used the UDP as a required text and experience for a course I developed entitled “Contextual Leadership Development.” My thought was that Christian leaders really don’t lead until they learn how to follow Jesus. In that experience they learn to lead themselves after the pattern of Christ. Through that experience they gain credibility to lead others to imitate Christ as well.

Here is what I hope you hear from me today:  Throughout my 32 years of preaching and 14 years as a pastor, I have yet to encounter a more useful and effective tool for helping Jesus followers develop Christ-likeness. The UDP is an integration of biblical teaching that reflects the 1st century pattern of Christ-likeness. You can see Dr. Wolf’s original and current versions of this model at www.drthomwolf.com as well as other helpful material.

For the first time in about 13 years of using this pattern as a pastor and professor, I am uploading the modules for you to use with those in your circle of influence. I have permission from Bro. Thom to use this material copyrighted by him. This material is available to you at no cost to reproduce and use in your bible study group, ministry, church, or among those you seek to disciple.

The UDP Modules are not professionally published so you may find errors. As a pastor I developed supporting modules from Bro. Thom’s work to disciple new believers. As a professor, I saw the life change in my students. You can find the PDF version of the UDP on the right hand side of this blog below my pics. Please send me any feedback you have on the UDP once you have used it. If you need a “Key” for the modules contact Cheryl Jones at cjones@buckner.org and we will email a copy to you.

Comments

[Albert Reyes]

George, glad to see the connection. The UDP is an excellent tool to form the image of Christ in us. Incorporating the 1st century pattern into my life has transformed me.

[George H]

Dr. Thom was one of my porfessors at Golden Gate in the mid 90's. He's one of the best teachers I've ever had and such an exciting person to be around. His counsel to me played a part in me returning to Buckner. It's so cool now to see how his connection to Dr. Reyes now is having an impact on Buckner.

[Albert Reyes]

Lon, I would not speak for Bro. Thom but you may contact him at www.drthomwolf.com and ask him directly. Erwin and Thom have been gracious to me over the years. I appreciate and honor them as my brothers in the Lord.

[Lon]

i would love to hear what dr. thom thinks of where Erwin McManus has taken his old church...

[Albert Reyes]

Charles, the correct address is www.drthomwolf.com and it is working. Sorry for the confusion.

[Charles Risinger]

The link www.drthom.com does not appear to me to be the correct one. Either that or I was not certain as to whre to go from that homepage. You may wish to check this to be sure.

[Ken Hall]

Brother Albert,

I am so thrilled that Thom and you are sharing this valuable resource with interested leaders in our churches and ministries. God can multiply your generosity thousands of times over. The kingdom needs more informed and equipped disciples.