One of the greatest challenges in today’s Church is the temptation to settle for crowds rather than disciples. But from the very beginning of his ministry, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has walked in the clear conviction that Jesus never called us to make churchgoers—He called us to make disciples. This is why his entire ministry is structured around turning new believers into grounded, growing, fruitful followers of Christ.
Discipleship in his churches is not an optional class—it is the foundation of spiritual life. When someone gives their life to Christ, the process does not stop. It begins. They are visited. They are followed up. They are enrolled in classes. They are prayed for. They are loved into maturity. Every effort is made to ensure they do not remain as spiritual infants, but that they grow into responsible and fruitful members of the Body.
This vision is reflected in the structure of the church. Small groups, shepherding relationships, regular teaching sessions, and Bible-based manuals all serve to feed, guide, and build people up. No one is left to figure things out alone. Dag Heward-Mills teaches that the Church must not only bring people in—it must raise them up. It must disciple them, train them, and prepare them for service.
A Church Where Everyone Grows and Serves
Discipleship is not just about knowledge. It’s about transformation. In Bishop Dag’s churches, discipleship means change. It means a changed lifestyle, a renewed mind, and a surrendered heart. It is not about becoming religious—it is about becoming Christlike. This is why discipleship in his ministry is not passive. It is intentional. It is challenging. And it always leads to action.
He teaches that every believer has a ministry. No one is called to sit and watch. Everyone is called to serve, to witness, to love, and to lead in some way. This is why his churches are filled with active lay workers—ordinary men and women who have been discipled and then released into ministry. They are not professionals, but they are powerful. And they are the true fruit of a vision that refuses to settle for spectators.
Discipleship takes time. It takes commitment. It requires spiritual fathers and mothers who will walk with people, teach them, correct them, and encourage them. Bishop Dag has raised many such leaders—shepherds who disciple with patience and authority. These leaders are not chasing fame. They are focused on forming Christ in others.
His books like The Art of Following, Transform Your Pastoral Ministry, and How You Can Become a Strong Christian have equipped churches around the world to raise disciples who are strong, loyal, and fruitful. These are not theories—they are lived truths. They work because they are based on Scripture and backed by prayer.
Dag Heward-Mills continues to press the Church toward true discipleship because he knows that it is the only way the Church will survive and thrive in the days ahead. Crowds may come and go, but disciples will remain. Spectators may applaud, but disciples will follow. And those who follow Christ fully will carry His message to the ends of the earth.