Covenant Coaching Circles

by Rev. Dr. Vicki Miller Brendler

Hello! Let me take a moment to introduce myself—I am Vicki Miller Brendler, the Senior Pastor of Bridgewater United Methodist Church in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. I also serve (with Sandra M. King-Shaw) as a co-Chairperson of the Council for Accountable Discipleship and am serving as a substitute editor for the Covenant Discipleship Connection while Steve Manskar is on Sabbatical Leave. We pray that Steve will have a blessed time of rest and renewal!

A few months ago, I attended the Christian Educators Fellowship & Preaching from the Center Conference that was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I ran into an old friend from New Jersey, Rev. Kathleen Stolz, a Deacon, serving in Arizona. Part of her work is with Fountain Hills UMC. She shared with me about the Covenant Coaching Circles (CCC) workshop she was presenting. As we talked, she told me about how she and her team, headed by Dr. Larry Ousley from the Intentional Growth Center at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina have adapted Dr. David Lowes Watson’s Covenant Discipleship model to function in cyberspace. They use the Covenant Discipleship model to help pastors and other religious professionals be grounded spiritually, to be accountable to one another, and work toward fulfilling the purpose for their life and ministry.

Rev. Stolz reported that they have participants read Steve Manskar’s essay, “Opening Ourselves to Grace,” available on the Covenant Discipleship website. This helps to get everyone on the same page with a discussion of “discipleship.” The article gives a clear explanation of The General Rule of Discipleship that stresses the importance of following ALL the teachings of Jesus through practicing works of mercy (acts of compassion and justice) and works of piety (acts of worship and devotion). It serves as a foundational document for the groups.

According to Stolz, “In CCC we set goals for spirituality with an emphasis on acts of devotion and worship. We also encourage people to set ‘personal project’ goals that might include works of mercy and works of piety.” Participants take part in three coaching sessions that help them to clarify their goals. To help members achieve their goals, a leader, modeled after a class leader from our Wesleyan heritage, uses coaching skills and group support. Each session runs about 75-90 minutes. All of this happens online and via conference calls. I think this is an intriguing model of accountability for the cyberspace generation!

Each participant pays up to $500 to participate in a 30-week group. Because this is a paid model, there is for me both a struggle and acknowledgement that in our culture we tend to place more value on what we pay for. Maybe this is one of the keys to why so many Covenant Coaching groups strive to stay together! We need more incentive! Let me know how your group is going!

Blessings!

Vicki M. Brendler

Recommended Reading

A Disciple’s Journal: Daily Bible Reading and Guidance for Reflection
This journal will help you connect the inner spiritual life with the actions of Christian discipleship and help you maintain balance between works of piety and works of mercy.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $12.00.

Mainline or Methodist?
Trying to be both mainline and Methodist is a deadly combination. In fact, it's a leading cause for the denomination's spiritual and numerical decline.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $13.00.

Opening Ourselves to Grace
This four-video, six-week Bible study presents a clear and contemporary understanding of Wesleyan spiritual practices.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $24.00.

Upcoming Events

Wesleyan Institutes

April 23-25, 2009 at Faith Community United Methodist Church in Xenia, OH
October 22-24, 2009 at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, CA

www.WesleyanInstitute.org