The Context for Discipleship: Re-Integrating Faith, Community, and Mission

Our Goal “We hope to provide a philosophy, or context from which to understand discipleship, one which is rooted in scripture and also in our Wesleyan heritage.” p. 1

What is the flow or pattern of discipleship? What should be the content of discipleship? How should we define and measure our effectiveness? How do we devise an effective system for discipleship for our local church? What are some helpful models and resources?

Discipleship is Christ-formation

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . ” Matthew 22:37 Love God

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . ” Matthew 22:37 Love God Love your neighbor “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . ” Matthew 22:37 A new commandment I give you . . .” Love God Love your neighbor “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Love God Love God Love each other Love your neighbor “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . ” Matthew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . ” Matthew 22:37 A new commandment I give you . . Love God Love God “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34 Love each other Love your neighbor Love your neighbor “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

How do we know it was a new command?

How do we know it was a new command? Jesus said so.

How do we know it was a new command? Jesus said so. He clarified the circle.

How do we know it was a new command? Jesus said so. He clarified the circle. He raised the bar.

Human wholeness The freedom to give and receive love from God and from each other . . .

Human wholeness The freedom to give and receive love from God and from each other . . . and then extend that love to a lost and broken world.

Up An Economy of Love In Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out Information, practices, and experiences that enable us to receive and give love to God. Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out Information, practices, and experiences that enable us to receive and give love to each other. Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out Information, practices, and experiences that enable us to love the least and the lost. Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out Information, practices, and experiences that enable us to receive from and give love to God together. Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out Information, practices, and experiences that enable us to love the least and the lost together. Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out Information, practices, and experiences that enable us to help a lost world receive from and give love to God. Up Up Up/In Up/Out In In In/Out Out Out

Up Ecclesia “the called out ones” Out Apostolous “the sent ones” In Koinonia “the called together ones” Out Apostolous “the sent ones”

The Dis-Integration of the Church Up In Out

The Dis-Integration of the Church Up In Out

B.T. Roberts New School Methodism 1857

“Christianity is a Religion of Beneficence Rather Than Devotion” Editors The Advocate May 14, 1857

A growing majority in the U.S. Up Out In

77% of the U.S. population claims affinity with the Christian faith. George Gallup

77% of the U.S. population claims affinity with the Christian faith. George Gallup Less than 20% of Americans worship and fellowship regularly with a body of believers. Rebecca Barnes and Lindy Lowry 7 Startling Facts: An Up Close Look at Church Attendance in America.

Evangelism Up In Out Evangelism, discipleship, and assimilation, call people into all three circles. Up Evangelism In Out

Evangelism = Discipleship = Assimilation Up In Out

A Free Methodist Annual Conference

A Free Methodist Annual Conference 5,296 Conversions from 2008-2012

A Free Methodist Annual Conference 5,296 Conversions from 2008-2012 14% decline in morning worship attendance during that same period.

“I will not strike a blow in any place where I cannot follow the blow John Wesley

“I am more and more convinced that the devil himself desires nothing more than this, that the people of any place be half awakened, and then left to themselves to fall asleep again.” Journal March 13, 1743

“My brother Wesley acted wisely “My brother Wesley acted wisely. The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruit of his labors. This I neglected and my people are a rope of sand.” George Whitefield

People enter through any one of the circles. Up Evangelism In Out

Tameka’s Story Up In Out

Up In Out Maria’s Story

Up In Out Bill’s Story

is to draw them into the other two circles. Discipleship is to draw them into the other two circles. Up In Out

Discipling Tameka Up In Out

Discipling Maria Up In Out

Up Discipling Bill In Out

Whenever someone enters one of the three circles, and someone in the church notices, discipleship can begin.

What is the flow or pattern of discipleship? What should be the content of discipleship? How should we define and measure our effectiveness? How do we devise an effective system for discipleship for our local church? What are some helpful models and resources?

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