Q: What is Romans 12?
The Romans 12 Project is a GBOD initiative that seeks:
to discern the guiding principals and resulting practices of vital United Methodist congregations in the U.S. that are effectively being and forming disciples, and
to share those stories and findings in relevant, meaningful ways throughout The United Methodist Church.
Q: Why is this called the Romans 12 Project?
We are seeking to identify United Methodist congregations in the U.S. who have and are discerning God’s will for their community of faith; who have identified the gifts for living out God’s will and are using those gifts, and who are intentional about living out the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). We feel one of the best biblical description for these communities of faith is expressed in Romans 12.
Q: Why is the GBOD embarking on this initiative?
As an agency of The United Methodist Church with a focus on discipleship and congregational life, the GBOD is in a unique position to hear about and see where communities of faith are making a difference in the lives of individuals and in the places where they are located. Through this project, the GBOD is embarking on a major research endeavor to identify churches where disciples are being formed, to clarify how this is happening, and to communicate this knowledge to others. In order to do this, we need your help. We have established a nomination process so others in the connection can help us in identifying the communities of faith from whom we can all learn.
Q: Who nominated congregations for this project? We solicited nominations from Bishops, District Superintendents, Church Developers, Directors of Connectional Ministries, Annual Conference Lay Leaders, Connectional Table members, National Plans and Ethnic Caucus leaders and GBOD Board members. The nomination process was completed on February 1, 2007.
Q. What were the criteria for nominating a congregation? The Wesleyan model teaches that salvation is both justification and sanctification. Our faith requires us to hold together in one vessel the love of God and love of neighbor. Disciple forming congregations have an intentional system to do this that is grounded in scripture, informed by our Wesleyan heritage, contextual in expression, and fruit producing. Some marks of a vital faith community are:
Clarity around the mission and vision of the congregation.
Practice of spiritual disciplines both corporately and individually.
Nurture of growth in discipleship through mutual support and accountability.
Cultivation of intentional and mutual relationships with the most vulnerable – the poor, children, the imprisoned, the powerless.
Consistent concern for inviting people into relationship with Jesus Christ, combined with wise practices for initiating them into the Body of Christ.
Connectional relationships that facilitate participation in God’s mission of global transformation.
Shared clergy and lay leadership.
Q. How did the GBOD determine the nomination criteria? The criteria described in the letter emerged through a discernment process informed by:
The Bible. In particular, the following passages were foundational: Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 16:24; Micah 6:8; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:16.
The 2004 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. Study centered on the Doctrinal Statements, General Rules, The Ministry of All Christian and Social Principles.
Additional study on John Wesley, his sermons, and writing.
GBOD staff discussions and research.
Listening to congregations and congregational leaders.
Q. How will nomination information be used? The information you provided was used to contact the nominated congregations. The names of nominated congregations will be released as part of the reporting process for the project.
Q. What happens after a congregation was nominated?
All nominated congregations were contacted and asked to complete an on-line survey. They were not told who nominated them, but they were told why they were nominated. A small percentage of those taking the on-line survey were asked to participate in a more in-depth study that included phone interviews and/or on-site visits by GBOD staff.
Q. Who was nominated? Click here to see the list of the 935 congregations nominated. We believe that these congregations represent what vitality looks like in a variety of settings, cultures and contexts. We also recognize that this is not an exhaustive list and expect to see that reflected in future quadrennia.
Q. Our congregation wasn't nominated but we feel we should have been. Is there a way for us to become a part of the study? We are only placing people in the Romans 12 Project study pool through church leader nominations. We expect to repeat the nominations process in the next quadrennia and would encourage you to communicate with your District Superintendent about why you believe you are a Romans 12 Congregation and be open to feedback about what you might do to be considered in the round of nominations in the next quaddrennium.
Q: We were nominated. Is participation mandatory? A: Absolutely not. The nomination should be viewed as an honor, not a mandate. Regardless of whether or not you participate in the intensive congregational survey, we hope you will share and celebrate this nomination with your congregation. Some pastors have announced it from the pulpit, others have written it in their pastoral letter, and others have celebrated it with punch and cake at fellowship times.
Kwasi Kena
Taylor Burton-Edwards
Safiyah Fosua
Dean McIntyre
Sandy Jackson
