TCT is a discipleship tool. But if the training only goes to pastors, and not to their congregations, it just doesn’t have the same impact. It’s important for program leaders to make sure that each module is actually reaching the whole congregation. There are a few key practices to ensure congregations receive the training:

1. Allow time during the pastors’ trainings for participants to plan exactly when and how they will teach the lessons to their churches.

2. Check in! The next time you gather the pastors, have them report on how they’re doing at teaching the lessons to their churches. We’ve met too many pastors who don’t bother passing on the training because previous experience has taught them that people bringing teaching never follow up or expect them to follow through. Always make time for pastors to report back to the group.

3. Provide materials. Simple black-and-white photocopies are best. The more complex or polished the materials are, the less likely local pastors will be to feel able to replicate the training. But providing no materials equally leaves pastors feeling ill-equipped to pass on what they learned.