I interviewed Dr. Eugene W. Matthews, Senior Pastor, Asbury United Methodist Church, Washington, DC, during the Advent season — one of the busiest times of the year for pastors.

Grace Bradford: The question is often asked, "Why should pastors be in a group?" Are you in a group?

Eugene W. Matthews: I am in a group. I admit I do not carry out all of the clauses on a daily basis, but I am mindful of them. It is helping me to grow in all areas, especially my devotions; of course, I am constantly involved in worship. I am more sensitized to being compassionate and just toward all persons and situations. My group realizes that I am as they are. I need accountability and regular cultivation of my spirituality. I talk to others about the General Rule and try to model what it means to be more accountable.

GB: How has Covenant Discipleship benefited the congregation?

EWM: Although everyone in the congregation is not in a Covenant Discipleship Group, they've heard me speak about it from the pulpit, and they hear others tell what it has meant in their lives. I've noticed in meetings where the discussion has been on sensitive issues such as finances, a voice will often speak up and bring a different slant to the discussion. I can tell this is a person in or exposed to covenant discipleship. Having leaders involved in groups elps to set a good spiritual tone for the congregation.

GB: What weaknesses do you see in the Asbury program?

EWM: We have not dealt sufficiently with follow-up, making sure there is a periodic freshness and newness of the groups. Although we have two persons who monitor the groups, I made a commitment to rotate among the groups, ask them how they are doing, and let them know that, as their pastor, I am interested in their spiritual development. Being more faithful in my follow-up will show my intent and keep Covenant Discipleship groups fresh and consistent with their commitments. I want to lift Covenant Discipleship before the congregation more often and give persons the opportunity to sign up.

GB: What do you plan to do in the new millennium?

EWM: I hope to add Sprouts and Branches (starting with the confirmands); hold two opportunities for all Covenant Discipleship groups to come together annually; and include Covenant Discipleship information in membership training. I have talked with the Committee on Nominations about requiring leaders of the various ministries to be in a group or in Bible study for at least six months. They can then make the decision as to whether they wish to continue or join a Covenant Discipleship group.

GB: Dr. David Lowes Watson suggested that Asbury become a teaching congregation. What are you doing along those lines?

EWM: Asbury hosted a one-day institute for churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference and participated in the leadership of a jurisdictional event in Wilmington, Deleware. A couple of laypersons and I have been invited to an area church to introduce Covenant Discipleship. Several Asburyans have gone to churches in various cities to do workshops. Our drama group has developed a video of an original Covenant Discipleship play that will be used by the General Board of Discipleship, the Council for Accountable Discipleship, and Asbury church leaders to answer questions that others are asking about Covenant Discipleship.

Dr. Eugene Matthews is Senior Pastor, Asbury UMC, Washington, DC, where 17 CD groups and 27 Class Leaders are in ministry and spiritual development.

Grace Bradford is editor of Covenant Discipleship Quarterly, a member of Asbury UMC, and author of Guide for Class Leaders: A Model for Christian Formation (Discipleship Resources, 1999).