Discipleship Like Jesus Did

Uptick Baptist Women – investing in the lives of younger women leaders

BY LAURA MATTHEWS

IN 2018, Baptist Women made a choice to invest in the next generation through a program we developed called Uptick. This discipleship experience is for leaders between the ages of 22–35. The word “uptick” means an asset that appreciates with investment, and at Baptist Women, we believe that female leaders are Kingdom assets. We have three targets during this 10-month experience: to shape healthy disciples, to expand Kingdom networks and to grow leaders.

By the end of 2022, a total of 24 Uptick alumni will have moved through this program, and they are committed to being on the move with the Holy Spirit. This gives me great hope and confidence in the next generation! When I witness their leadership in action; when I tangibly see these young women develop their confidence, use their voice and practice discipleship like Jesus in their specific contexts, I am assured that the future of both the global and local Church is strong. God constantly invites us to partner with the Holy Spirit who is always powerfully on the move. 2019 alum Lauren Kennedy puts it well in a reflection about her Uptick experience: “God has grown my conviction of the importance of discipleship. I feel drawn to live this out in my church where I have been leading the young adults in study, teaching, and application of Scripture. Having been asked to create something for the youth in our church, I feel that my role is to equip the young adults in what it means to disciple and mentor others, and to continue fostering a community that intentionally walks together in following Christ, while inviting a younger generation alongside of us.”

Partner with the Spirit to support the ongoing work of Uptick and the next generation:

• Pray for our alumni, current participants, and future cohorts, that God would equip each leader with exactly what they need to sustain their ministries. • Nominate a participant. • Sponsor a participant. • Donate specifically to

Uptick through Baptist

Women – either monthly or as a one-time gift. Multiplying Life Without making disciples, the Kingdom will not grow. Uptick therefore prioritizes teaching sustainable practices of discipleship – always modelled after Jesus. His leadership can be broken down into four stages. As part of our Uptick learning, we use Mike Breen’s square Lifeshape (found in his book How To Build a Discipling Culture) to learn and recall these discipleship principles.

2022 UPTICK LEADERSHIP TEAM

Laura Matthews (CBWOQ Program Coordinator), is Baptist Women’s program coordinator. She developed the Uptick program. Kathleen Wilson (CBWOQ Board Member), is a proud Uptick alumi – now leader – and an active member of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto. Rev. Abby Davidson (Pastor), currently serves at Spring Garden Church, Toronto, as the pastor of missional discipleship.

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Lifeshape 2

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Stage 1. I Do, You Watch. The leader gives lots of direction with low consensus or explanation, and disciples are confident and less competent – think Jesus calling His first disciples. They dropped everything to excitedly follow Him.

Stage 2. I Do, You Help. This stage is fundamental for the disciple because it is the most vulnerable stage and yet it can be the place of most growth. Leaders give vision, coaching and much example, while disciples go through a phase of feeling low enthusiasm and little confidence or competence. They realize they don’t know what they’re doing and feel lost – remember Jesus’ disciples when He started to have them perform miracles? They had many doubts and concerns. Here, Jesus begins to spend more time with them away from the crowds, renewing their confidence while offering them grace and vision. They cleave to Jesus and to one another and move towards community, consensus and back to confidence.

It’s usually between Stages 1 and 2 that both disciple and leader give up and want to go back to the excitement and ease of Stage 1. Without a leader who can shepherd a disciple into Stage 3, many get stuck and give up on the ministry all together. Therefore, practice is key and it’s why we spend a lot of time working through this shape in Uptick. We want to grow leaders who are willing to be in the valley with disciples so that those disciples can confidently come out the other side transformed through growth and grace.

Stage 3. You Do, I Help. The leader gives less direction, and invites more discussion and consensus. The disciple grows in experience and confidence, and gains competence.

Stage 4. You Do, I Watch. The leader gives little direction and example because responsibility can easily be delegated to those they’ve discipled. The disciple has returned to a high level of enthusiasm and confidence, and has grown in experience and competence, just like Jesus’ disciples did when they continued His ministry after His ascension.

Laura runs Baptist Women’s events and Conferences and developed Uptick Baptist Women.

2022 COHORT

Sydney Klassen attends Kingsway Baptist Church, Toronto, and serves there as a youth leader. Kylah Lohnes works with Canadian Baptist Ministries as a program officer, serving people and projects in Asia and Europe. Rebecca Neal attends Donway Baptist Church, Toronto, where she is the youth leader and a deacon. She works for CBOQ and directs summer programs at Camp Kwasind. Jackeline Riedstra (CBWOQ board member), serves on Yorkminster Park’s family ministry team and board of mission. She works for a non-profit organization in Toronto as part of its newcomers’ services team. Maria Speare currently works as the recruitment and development manager at NeighbourLink North York, a Christian community development organization located in Willowdale. Julie Vane is the executive board chairperson at her church, East Toronto Chinese Baptist Church, a member of its preaching team, and a mentor to two girls in post-secondary studies.