The Five Acronyms and Terms Used to Describe Multiplication Movements

We know, we know, the missions world can be full of confusing acronyms. Strategies for multiplying disciples are no exception. If you’ve been wondering, what does DMM stand for? Or, what is SCMM? And, what’s the point of any of them? Well, we’ll do our best to shed some light.

There are at least five terms being used to refer to growth by movements:

• CMM: Church Multiplication Movements
• CPM: Church Planting Movements
• DMM: Disciple-Making Movements
• SCMM: Sustainable Church Multiplication Movements
• T4T: Training for Trainers

What do they mean?

They are all used, at times, interchangeably. They are, on many occasions, also being used to differentiate something. Regardless of the exact term used, these terms all tend to describe a situation in which a disciple-maker (like Paul) shares his faith with a new disciple (like Timothy), then immediately begins training Timothy to share his faith with another individual. Timothy then trains this new disciple, in turn, to share his testimony with another, and so on.

If it’s beginning to sound a lot like 2 Timothy 2:2, then you’re getting it: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” When analyzing this verse, it’s helpful to think of a family tree, of sorts. Each new link is like a new spiritual generation, and when these generations happen in rapid succession, say, within a couple of years or so, the whole thing can go viral, resulting in amazingly rapid growth.

What we’re describing is nothing short of Roland Allen’s “spontaneous expansion of the church” — rapid-fire. Just as nuclear scientists try to reach critical mass in a nuclear energy plant, church multiplication trainers are constantly searching for the secret sauce to reach the tipping point in fostering a church multiplication movement.

How exactly do we FOSTER that movement? What are the catalysts that accelerate the chain reaction?

In some ways, it’s all very simple. (It’s all written up in the book of Acts.) Yes, there are indeed several practices and personal spiritual habits involved (not the least of which is the power of the Holy Spirit, of course). And we must achieve all of them to launch a movement. Even when we get them all right, there’s no guarantee that a movement will be the result.

It seems that we can work as hard as we want — but only GOD brings about a true movement. It’s a miracle, in a sense.

24:14: A Definition of Movements

There is a growing consortium of those who are working to facilitate these movements. The consortium uses the name, “24:14,” after the biblical passage, Matthew 24:14, where Jesus says, “This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.”

The consortium publishes a monthly update and in their July 2018 update, they sought to define and further describe a church-planting movement (CPM) or disciple-making movement (DMM).

They wrote:

In the 24:14 coalition we view a Church Planting Movement (CPM) / Disciple Making Movement (DMM) approach is one in which:

1. There is awareness that only God can start movements.  As disciples we can, however, follow biblical principles to pray, plant, and water the seeds that can lead to movement like those we see in Acts.
2. The focus is to make every follower of Christ a reproducing disciple rather than merely a convert.  
3. Simple patterns are used which create frequent and regular accountability for both obeying what the Lord is speaking to each person and for them to pass it on to others in a loving environment.  This requires a participative small-group approach.
4. Each disciple is equipped in comprehensive ways (such as interpreting and applying Scripture, a well-rounded prayer life, functioning as a part of the larger Body of Christ, and responding well to persecution/suffering) in order that they might function not merely as consumers, but as active agents of Kingdom advance.
5. Each disciple is given a vision both for reaching their relational network and for extending the Kingdom to the ends of the earth with a prioritization on the darkest places (with a “no place left” mentality – Rom. 15:23).  They are equipped to be able to minister and partner with others in the Body of Christ in both of these environments.
6. Reproducing churches are intentionally formed as a part of the process of multiplying disciples. The intent in CPM/DMM approaches is that 1) disciples, 2) churches, 3) leaders and 4) movements can multiply endlessly by the power of the Spirit.
7. Emphasis is not on the specific model of CPM/DMM used, but on the underlying biblical principles of multiplying kingdom movements.

24:14 often uses “CPM” as an all-encompassing term to refer to movements, but endorses both CPM and DMM as legitimate terms to describe the same process and believes there are many movement approaches and variations that work effectively depending on the cultural context.” 

A Summary

So, as you can see above, it’s an act of divine will. Let’s summarize and give a name to each of the 24:14 characteristics in defining these movements.

1. Spirit-led
2. Every follower a multiplier
3. Peer accountability
4. Become a disciple worth multiplying
5. Here, near, and far-vision
6. Multiplying disciples, churches, leaders, and movements
7. Emphasizing biblical principles of multiplication

Are you interested in being a part of fostering movements among the 7000+ remaining unreached people groups? There are still 3 billion people who do not have access to the Gospel. Every Christian needs to prioritize making more disciples, right now. Join in the work by sending, praying, or going. Start multiplying disciples right where you live, using helpful tools like Zume. We all have a role in fulfilling the Great Commission. Therefore, Go.