The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World-but how do we do that? One option is to provide a menu of choices for people to pick through, but that all too often leads to limited growth. A better way is to provide to map, an intentional guide that leads an individual from exploring Jesus to being centered in Christ. Scripture reminds us "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Author and pastor Andy Stanley contemporizes the statement in saying, "Path, not intent, determines destination."
The Discipleship MAP is a tool to help church leaders map out the next right steps in the discipleship process. It helps us to move someone from beginning a relationship with Jesus (prevenient grace) to being transformed in Christ (justifying grace) to maturing and being centered on Christ (sanctifying and perfecting grace). The Discipleship MAP also helps us to view discipleship not as a single program, such as a Bible study, but rather holistically. Discipleship involves community, teaching, proclamation and service.
For information on the map and to be more deliberate in your discipleship, contact
Rev. Chris Kindle, Director of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
724.776.2300 ext. 233 or Chris.Kindle@wpaumc.org
