Building a Culture That Multiplies

by Dave Miller

How Accountability and Storytelling Shift the Atmosphere

Why Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast

You can build a brilliant strategy, design incredible training, and offer world-class tools—but if the culture doesn’t shift, the movement won’t last.

Culture is the invisible current that shapes how people behave, what they value, and what they expect from themselves and each other. For covocational leaders—those running businesses while making disciples—this is especially true. You can’t program multiplication into a spreadsheet. It happens when people begin to believe that gospel movement is not just possible, but normal.

The real question is not, “Do we have a plan?” It’s, “Do we have a culture?”

And culture is not built in a day. It’s built in repetition, in community, and through stories that reinforce who we are and why we’re here.

Using Oikos Maps to Fuel Prayer and Gospel Sharing

One of the most powerful tools for shaping culture is the Oikos Map. It’s deceptively simple—just a list of names of people you know who are far from God. But when revisited consistently, it becomes a cultural anchor.

Here’s how it works:Every week, you bring that same 3x5 card or page. You look at the names. You ask, “Who did you pray for this week?” “Did you get a chance to have a spiritual conversation?” “Where is God already at work?”

This kind of weekly accountability reshapes the default setting of most believers. Instead of defining success by busyness or performance, you begin to define it by obedience and presence with people. You remember that the mission isn’t “out there”—it’s already sitting in your contact list.

Weekly Rhythms That Reinforce the Mission

Covocational leaders need rhythms more than they need resources. What changes people is not just a new idea, but the regular practice of that idea.

Here are a few suggested rhythms that shape culture over time:

• Start every gathering with the Oikos Map. Before diving into strategy or updates, begin with people’s names. It keeps the mission personal.

• Ask two questions: “Did you pray?” and “Did you share?” You’re not looking for pressure—you’re creating space for grace-filled accountability.

• End with intentional next steps. Ask, “What will you do this week?” then follow up next time. Movement doesn’t grow without momentum.

These small habits don’t just remind people of the mission—they reshape what your church or cohort expects from one another. Over time, it becomes normal to assume obedience.

Story Over Stats: Creating a Culture of Spirit-Led Action

One of the key mistakes leaders make is trying to track movement with metrics alone. While some numbers are helpful, they don’t tell the whole story. People aren’t motivated by spreadsheets—they’re moved by stories.

That’s why we prioritize storytelling as the engine of culture.

Ask, “What happened this week?” instead of “Did you hit your numbers?” When someone shares how they awkwardly brought up Jesus at lunch, or how they prayed with a coworker for the first time, that becomes a story others remember. It sets the tone for what’s possible.

And when no one has a story to share? That’s a moment to pause and pray together. Not out of guilt—but because we believe God is still working, and we want to align with His activity.

Storytelling doesn’t dilute your standards—it reinforces them. But it keeps your culture centered on grace, growth, and Spirit-led action rather than performance.

Final Word

If you want to see multiplication, don’t just teach tools—build a culture.A culture where names are prayed over.A culture where sharing is normal.A culture where stories are celebrated more than stats.

That’s how movements grow—not just through plans and platforms, but through people who live out the mission together, week by week, one act of obedience at a time.

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