Disciples Making Guide for Covenant Discipleship Groups and Class Leaders by Steven W. Manskar is for pastors, Covenant Discipleship group members, and class leaders. It provides information needed to organize the ministry, form groups, write a covenant, lead a meeting, support groups so they help the congregation live out its mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world. The book also describes the office of class leaders and how to introduce this powerful disciple-making office to the congregation.
Steve has written a book that provides the foundation for ministry that will support and move the church successfully into the future. He rightly understands that discipleship needs accountability. Covenant Discipleship Groups are one useful way to provide accountable discipleship ministry in the local church. Leaders for the church will grow out of this ministry (I know this from experience). Even more importantly, this book provides an introduction to class leaders that will perpetuate growth in discipleship for the life of the congregation. Discipleship accountability will reach further and more deeply into the congregation than Covenant Discipleship will accomplish alone. This book should be required reading for all church leaders.
I've been a Methodist all my life and never heard of this. I wish this was more enthusiastically encouraged from the Conference level, or at least district levels. It could be world changing if done comprehensively and well.
It also strikes me that when Conferences close down "dying" churches with only a handful of very dedicated members left, they're missing an opportunity. That little group is a Covenant group waiting to happen.