As you know, I've spent more than two decades helping people around the world lead out in discipleship and mission. But as I look back, I can't help but ruminate on how many people who have led out the movement of discipleship and mission have embraced the effect rather than the cause. They focus on discipleship but overlook communication that so often sparks it to life.

In these reflections, I've come to believe that communication usually comes first, and the awakening that happens through communication causes the effect of passion and palpable desire for discipleship and mission.

So for me, it's time to rewind the process of discipleship by going back to understand the cause. I have spent the last few years doing this both at a personal and academic level, and now I want to share what I've learned as I've reflected on my experience and what I've seen in my studies that has so often held up a mirror to what I've experienced.