Not Just Attenders—Disciples: The Vintage Discipleship Pathway
A Vision for Discipleship at Vintage
One of my deepest convictions as a pastor and church planter is that we would be a disciple-making church. By God’s grace, my prayer is that Vintage will be a place where people are equipped in the story of redemption, grounded in sound theology, and formed by the gospel into the image of Christ.
Pastor and author J.T. English puts it well:
“Success in ministry is not found in building programs but in building disciples—disciples who love God with all of their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). Christ is the goal, not better or more impressive ministries. He is what we want.”
He continues,
“The disease isn’t that we’re too deep. It’s that we’re far too shallow. We need local churches who want to invite people into the depths and the richness of having a relationship with Jesus and the Triune God.”
That vision resonates deeply with us. The Bible is clear: the local church is the primary place where discipleship happens. While seminaries and Bible colleges have their place, most believers will never step foot in a seminary classroom.
That’s why the church must serve as the training ground for discipleship.
Here are just a few passages that form this conviction:
With this foundation, I’m excited to introduce the Vintage Discipleship Pathway—a clear, intentional journey of following Jesus, from curiosity to multiplying disciples.
Discipleship is about intentionally taking faithful steps with Christ. Our pathway shows what growth and maturity look like as a Christian. While we may move between stages throughout our lives, each stage highlights what’s next in your journey and what God wants to grow in you by His grace.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, helping you see the next steps in your spiritual growth and what a life shaped by Jesus looks like in action.
The Vintage Discipleship Pathway
1. Knowing
Who You Are: Curious about God or new to faith
Next Steps: Alpha, Vintage Connect, or joining a Vintage Community
This stage is about exploring who God is and what it really means to follow Jesus. Maybe you’re asking questions, returning to church, or hearing the gospel for the first time. Here you discover the good news of Jesus—who He is, what He has done, and why it matters for your life.
2. Growing
Who You Are: A believer learning to follow Jesus
Next Steps: Basics Class, Deep Discipleship, actively serving and involved in community
Here you begin to rely on the Spirit, build healthy rhythms, and root your life in God’s Word. It’s about developing a strong foundation of faith and being formed by life in community.
3. Witnessing
Who You Are: A growing disciple living out your faith
Next Steps: Serving locally in the church and community and globally, while active in a Vintage Community group.
This stage is about your faith becoming visible. By word, work, and relationship, you begin to live on mission, seeing your neighborhood and city as places God has sent you to display His love.
4. Multiplying
Who You Are: A mature disciple investing in others
Next Steps: Mentoring, leading a ministry or group, entering our Leadership Track
This is the stage where disciples make disciples. You pour into others the way others poured into you, raising up leaders and preparing to send out new churches and ministries.
Your Journey: From Knowing to Multiplying
Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident—it’s intentional. The Vintage Pathway helps you see where you are and what your next step might be. You never outgrow any of these stages—you keep knowing, growing, witnessing, and multiplying all your life. But at any given moment, God is calling you forward into a new step of maturity and mission.
As the Apostle Paul writes, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). And as we do, we can rest in this confidence: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
At Vintage, we believe discipleship is not about programs but about people, about seeing lives transformed by the gospel and multiplied into others. That’s the vision we’re praying for and the journey we’re inviting you into.
A Call to Action
At Vintage, discipleship isn’t a side project—it’s the heartbeat of our church.
So, where are you on the pathway? Maybe you’re just beginning to explore faith. Maybe you’re ready to grow deeper in Christ. Or maybe God is stirring you to step into leadership and invest in others.
Wherever you find yourself, your next step matters. And the good news is, you don’t have to walk it alone. We’d love to walk with you.
Click here to begin.
One of my deepest convictions as a pastor and church planter is that we would be a disciple-making church. By God’s grace, my prayer is that Vintage will be a place where people are equipped in the story of redemption, grounded in sound theology, and formed by the gospel into the image of Christ.
Pastor and author J.T. English puts it well:
“Success in ministry is not found in building programs but in building disciples—disciples who love God with all of their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). Christ is the goal, not better or more impressive ministries. He is what we want.”
He continues,
“The disease isn’t that we’re too deep. It’s that we’re far too shallow. We need local churches who want to invite people into the depths and the richness of having a relationship with Jesus and the Triune God.”
That vision resonates deeply with us. The Bible is clear: the local church is the primary place where discipleship happens. While seminaries and Bible colleges have their place, most believers will never step foot in a seminary classroom.
That’s why the church must serve as the training ground for discipleship.
Here are just a few passages that form this conviction:
- “Go therefore and make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
- “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship…” (Acts 2:42–47)
- “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11–13)
- “Entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
- “We proclaim Him… that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)
- “Stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…” (Hebrews 10:24–25)
- “Teach what accords with sound doctrine… train the young…” (Titus 2:1–8)
With this foundation, I’m excited to introduce the Vintage Discipleship Pathway—a clear, intentional journey of following Jesus, from curiosity to multiplying disciples.
Discipleship is about intentionally taking faithful steps with Christ. Our pathway shows what growth and maturity look like as a Christian. While we may move between stages throughout our lives, each stage highlights what’s next in your journey and what God wants to grow in you by His grace.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, helping you see the next steps in your spiritual growth and what a life shaped by Jesus looks like in action.
The Vintage Discipleship Pathway
1. Knowing
Who You Are: Curious about God or new to faith
Next Steps: Alpha, Vintage Connect, or joining a Vintage Community
This stage is about exploring who God is and what it really means to follow Jesus. Maybe you’re asking questions, returning to church, or hearing the gospel for the first time. Here you discover the good news of Jesus—who He is, what He has done, and why it matters for your life.
2. Growing
Who You Are: A believer learning to follow Jesus
Next Steps: Basics Class, Deep Discipleship, actively serving and involved in community
Here you begin to rely on the Spirit, build healthy rhythms, and root your life in God’s Word. It’s about developing a strong foundation of faith and being formed by life in community.
3. Witnessing
Who You Are: A growing disciple living out your faith
Next Steps: Serving locally in the church and community and globally, while active in a Vintage Community group.
This stage is about your faith becoming visible. By word, work, and relationship, you begin to live on mission, seeing your neighborhood and city as places God has sent you to display His love.
4. Multiplying
Who You Are: A mature disciple investing in others
Next Steps: Mentoring, leading a ministry or group, entering our Leadership Track
This is the stage where disciples make disciples. You pour into others the way others poured into you, raising up leaders and preparing to send out new churches and ministries.
Your Journey: From Knowing to Multiplying
Discipleship doesn’t happen by accident—it’s intentional. The Vintage Pathway helps you see where you are and what your next step might be. You never outgrow any of these stages—you keep knowing, growing, witnessing, and multiplying all your life. But at any given moment, God is calling you forward into a new step of maturity and mission.
As the Apostle Paul writes, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). And as we do, we can rest in this confidence: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
At Vintage, we believe discipleship is not about programs but about people, about seeing lives transformed by the gospel and multiplied into others. That’s the vision we’re praying for and the journey we’re inviting you into.
A Call to Action
At Vintage, discipleship isn’t a side project—it’s the heartbeat of our church.
So, where are you on the pathway? Maybe you’re just beginning to explore faith. Maybe you’re ready to grow deeper in Christ. Or maybe God is stirring you to step into leadership and invest in others.
Wherever you find yourself, your next step matters. And the good news is, you don’t have to walk it alone. We’d love to walk with you.
Click here to begin.
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