The following are some common mistakes made in DMM and DBS. They are not listed in any particular order and, depending on the situation, may result in a variety of outcomes. Thankfully, God is able to work through us, despite our mistakes. Please comment with any additional ones that should be added to the list and/or any stories of how to deal with these common mistakes.
- Not allowing enough time for the discovery process,
- Inviting others based on worldly credentials (family, education, etc),
- Not addressing a participant’s lack of participation after multiple visits,
- Misidentifying a Person of Peace (PoP),
- Not connecting service/compassion work to PoP search activities,
- Not recognizing a PoP’s natural circle of influence (a.k.a. oikos)
- Permitting or encouraging teaching/preaching rather than the discovery process,
- Attempting to introduce Christ before He introduces Himself,
- Assuming that multiplication will happen without intentional planning,
- Failing to pray, encourage, and keep each other accountable,
- Having a hidden agenda or failing to recognize others’ hidden agendas,
- Assuming that we know how to help someone rather than asking them directly,
- Insisting that participants adopt our spiritual development goals rather than meeting them where they are,
- Using outside materials or other passages to supplement the scriptures,
- Not rotating the facilitator role so that everyone has the opportunity to practice.