They have a kindergarten to "nurture children in the love of Jesus Christ and to contribute to community development" and a Senior Citizen College that provides lectures to "enrich the lives of the elderly and encourage them to become active and positive members of society."

There are numerous other mission societies and other activities in which members are encouraged to participate.

The Korean Methodist Church has experienced tremendous growth in the past few decades with close to 1.5 million members, but recently that growth has dropped off. A new membership campaign that recaptures the Wesleyan zeal for evangelism has been implemented, and it is communicated by the phrase "Methodists, Arise, let your light shine!" The goal is 3 million members.

Bishop Sundo Kim told us that the secret to church growth is prayer, but I wanted to know the secret to getting folks to those early-morning prayer meetings. I found my answer when interviewing some of the lay elders. They said that it is in the class meetings that the class leaders convene where intimate faith sharing occurs in the presence of loving community. Participants learn to pray there. Other aspects of worship, such as tithing and mission, are taught as well. The class leaders (lay elders) provide teaching and model what it means to be a member of the church. The culture of the church is learned in these small groups.

The lay elders (class leaders) are chosen because they are examples of mature disciples who pray, study, tithe, and are involved in mission. Lay elders are consecrated in the church to represent the congregation and support the pastors. Lay elders attend frequent trainings led by the pastors in order to continue their growth as disciples. The pastors share their vision for the church with the lay elders who, in turn, share the vision at class meetings.

The class meeting groups are expected to grow through evangelism, then divide into smaller groups. These class meetings are convened once a week. They consist of three or four households living nearby who come together, generally on Fridays, in different houses to pray, study the Bible, and develop fellowship. "Every member of Kwanglim is required to take part in the class, which is the smallest unit of the church." So it seems that, although prayer is responsible for the tremendous growth in the Korean Methodist Church, it is in the class meetings that discipleship formation happens. This is where the class leaders witness to the importance of prayer and where members learn to pray. This is where the principles of discipleship are learned, discussed, and practiced. These groups function with a biblical covenant to "go and make disciples," and each member is held accountable for his or her discipleship.

I think The United Methodist Church would do well to follow the examples set by our brothers and sisters of the Korean Methodist Church in practicing accountable discipleship.

Sandy Zeigler is the Director of Lay Leadership Development at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee.