Why not have the intended targets of all this churchly planning also at the table, to share with pastors how they believe the process could be more effective?
I'll leave the discussion of the relative merits of small groups, months-long training programs and mentoring to those pastoral discussions, offering instead one simple idea: use the morning worship sermon time as more of a teaching than a preaching opportunity. Unlock the handcuffs of the lectionary and free pastors to talk more directly about those things with which we struggle in our daily lives.
Too often I see a pastor attempting to make relevant some obscure text that is the required reading of the day. I'll offer one idea borrowed from my years as a daily newspaper editor that might prove helpful.
I had a favorite local diner in one community where a lot of folks would hang out for coffee, donuts and breakfast or lunch. I would go one or two mornings a week, find a small table centrally located in the room, order coffee, and spend the next 30 minutes just listening. I tuned into the many conversations around me, making note of the topics that seemed to be of greatest interest or concern. Then I would return to my newsroom and ask what stories were on deck for our next daily edition that addressed those topics. If none were on our radar screen, reporters were scrambled to develop them - quickly.
You see, I learned that readership went up when folks saw news items touching on those topics they had just been discussing over coffee earlier.
Perhaps pastors would benefit from spending more time in coffee shops.
To read about the panel:
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080522/32486_Are_Small_Groups_Enough_for_Disciple-Making%3F.htm
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