Passion for DISCIPLESHIP
by Lance Colkmire A Conversation with Tony Lane
ONY LANE is the discipleship and children’s ministries coordi- nator for Church of God Inter- national Offices—a position he has held for 14 years. I have served closely with Tony in his work with the National Children’s Leaders Association and in various international training events. He is passion- ate about raising up leaders, and he is living out his passion.
T
The new name of the Youth and Christian Education Department is Youth and Discipleship (YD). Why is this significant?
It represents a paradigm shift away from a schooling concept, which the term “Christian education” implies. Fulfilling the teaching aspect of the Great Commis- sion is more than Sunday school; there is a variety of ways to disciple people. The bottom line is, are we making disciples? Are people learning Scripture, applying it to life, and reproducing themselves? The new Church of God Monthly Treasurer’s Report reflects the change. Churches now report their total dis- cipleship/evangelism attendance in two categories: on-campus and off-campus ministries. This includes Sunday school, Family Training Hour, care groups, cell groups, Bible clubs, nursing homes, prison ministry, and more.
How is YD involved in discipleship? We are seeking to identify young lead- ers—we call them “eagles”—and strength- en them in their call. This summer almost 40 young adults attended the “Eagles Leadership Initiative” in Washington,
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D.C., for five days of leadership training. Randall Parris leads this ministry. We also take youth and leaders on mission trips to Mexico, the Philippines, Eastern and Western Europe, sites in the United States, and other places.
provide state and national training, write articles for Leadership magazine, and offer discipleship resources through our website.
Describe how you were spiritually nurtured.
Growing
It was not a formal process. I grew up in a pastor’s home. I walked alongside my parents, Dennie and Joyce, who taught me 24/7 by their lives. They acknowl- edged my gifts and abilities, and involved me in ministry.
Disciples
We offer Winterfest and Kidfest, and this year we provided follow-up lessons for children’s ministry leaders and parents. We have an ongoing “discipleship think tank” of local church leaders brainstorming ideas,
My family and I sang together in church. As a teenager, I directed a chil- dren’s choir. I began leading children’s church when I was 14.
In Clinton, Illinois, I had a Sun- day school teacher, Shirley Bray, and a Wednesday night teacher, Myrna Buchan- an, who influenced me. Our Sunday school superintendent, Cletus Nichols, took me
Tony Lane with Van Thaung
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