Matthews and Watson

The Institute, sponsored by the General Board of Discipleship and the Council for Accountable Discipleship, was held at beautiful Ezion-Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church pastored by the Rev. Grant L. Johnson and his wife, the Rev. Pearl S. Johnson.

Dr. David Lowes Watson opened the meeting by addressing the questions, What is Covenant Discipleship? Why is it important for the church? Where does it fit? Parts 1 and 2 of a videotape of the drama, “What Cost Discipleship?” written by Grace Bradford, were shown at the beginning and end of the Institute.

Workshops included: Sharing Pastoral Power; Lay Spiritual Leadership; The General Rule of Discipleship; Writing the Covenant; Starting, Supporting, and Sustaining CD Groups; and Sprouts and Branches. Leaders participated in a role play of a CD group meeting. Sprouts leaders and children were present to explain and display what happens in Sprouts and Branches, the CD groups for children and teens.

Planners and leaders included Dr. David Lowes Watson, Director, Center for Pastoral Formation, Nashville, TN; the Rev. Steve Manskar, General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, TN;

Steve Manskar

King-Shaw

"The seminar was very inspiring. I could have listened to Dr. Watson a few more times...The video brought many of the key points home, like CD enables you to strengthen your faith through prayer and accountability; spiritual growth out of CD makes a difference in the administration of the church; and CD members pray daily, not only for oneself, but for others. I have spent a lot of time at the website and downloaded all the available CD Quarterly newsletters...we will be meeting with our pastor soon and I hope we will be able to get at least two pilot groups started. Our DS, Vicki, has offered her help."

Evelyn Rose
Christ United Methodist Church
Somerset, NJ

"I was very impressed with how the presenters interacted with one another. It appears that this program helps people to stay honest and stay on track. The people who were attending seemed genuinely interested in learning about Covenant Discipleship. People are looking for 'something more.' We want to be right for Him. Too often people view the clergy as being 'holier than thou.' I appreciate the fact that in this program clergy can be appreciated as being human like every one else. I hope to start this program in my church in the near future."

Anna L. Cottom, Pastor
Haven United Methodist Church
Wilmington, DE

"The Institute on Covenant Discipleship in Delaware was a significant milestone in my spiritual and pastoral journey. With reflection and prayer, I have been searching for ways to maintain our unique Christian identity and effective witness in a society where individualistic consumerism prevails...Many Christian communities isolate themselves from the world or buy into the consumeristic lifestyle and values even when they are vocal about their Christian identity. Covenant Discipleship lifted up accountability in building our Christian lifestyle...Christian identity is more about doing the will of God than saying the right things. I am planning to contact my clergy colleagues to form a CD group.

Albert Hahn, Pastor
Bellmore United Methodist Church
Bellmore, NY

"In and through the Covenant Discipleship Groups, I see a way of making this a 'daily' reminder of the Christian way of life and our walk with God. I especially found the General Rule of Discipleship helpful in maintaining 'balance' between all the teachings of Jesus. I am being reappointed to a new congregation. It is my hope that both my new and former church families will encourage one another and keep one another accountable in this special way of Covenanting Discipleship. I will certainly highly recommend this to the pastor who will follow me. And what a way to start my new ministry!

Cliff Flick, Pastor
Ranck's United Methodist Church
New Holland, PA