1 Samuel 16:7 New International Version (NIV) 7 But the L ORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The L ORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the L ORD looks at the heart.”

1996: Making disciples of Jesus Christ 2008: for the transformation of the world No long enough to just: Nurture people Strengthen people Teach them the Good News Offer a variety of services and programming Our primary & defining purpose is transformation!

Do United Methodists really want to be Christian disciples?

Less than 10%

Ironically 86% of those responding to Rev. Dick believe they ARE living as Christian disciples. They define ‘discipleship’ by: 1) Simply believing in Jesus 2) Try to follow His teaching Is that discipleship?

Key characteristics of discipleship follow similar pattern: 71% thing believing in Jesus is the definition of a disciple and 1) Going to church 2) Praying Are the two primary (and only necessary) characteristics. Disciples can do more if they want to but don’t need to

The Shift Core change of behavior and practice 1) daily, regular worship & prayer 2) Sharing faith is coupled with Bible study 3) Teaching is paired with learning 4) Doing good for others replaces being kind to others 5) Holy Communion important 6) Openness to strangers, poor, marginalized important to this 13%

The problem: The 7-13% of people most committed to discipleship end up in leadership in our churches…which means they serve on committees that tend to serve the needs of the 87% who have little or no desire to be disciples!

What happens when church leaders get serious about discipleship? 1) People not interested in discipleship leave 2) Conflict (in the short term) increases dramatically 3) The system (Conference leadership) works against the shift

Christian discipleship is about living a particular kind of life in the modern world

1 Samuel 16:7 New International Version (NIV) 7 But the L ORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The L ORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the L ORD looks at the heart.”

“Come as you are” Means COME AS YOU ARE!!

Three resources: Walk Across the Room – Bill Hybels Not A Fan – Kyle Idleman Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations – Bishop Robert Schnase

1 Samuel 16:7 New International Version (NIV) 7 But the L ORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The L ORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the L ORD looks at the heart.”