I remember hearing about covenant discipleship about twelve years ago when my mother joined a covenant group at her church. Growing up, I was amazed at her commitment to her spiritual growth; and I was always impressed with her dedication to her devotional time. As I got older, I began to ask her questions about her involvement in covenant discipleship. I learned quickly that her covenant group gave her support, nurture, and strength in her faith for her everyday living.

When I joined the staff at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, I was excited to learn they were preparing to start covenant discipleship groups. I was thrilled to be a part of a pilot group of eight people of all ages, led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Hecht. I was so impressed with how much my spirituality benefited from the covenant and the group. Covenant discipleship filled a gap in my life. After about two years, we invited David Lowes Watson to come promote covenant discipleship to our congregation. We added several more covenant groups. I switched groups and have now been actively involved for four years. Some of my closest friends are members of my group, mainly because we have experienced the storms and joys of everyday life together.

For the last few years, I have come up with every excuse imaginable to avoid coordinating a youth covenant discipleship group. However, in early 2000, I was finally open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and began investigating the possibility of starting such a group. I found a book that was exactly what I needed to help me get started: Together in Love: Covenant Discipleship with Youth by David Sutherland (Discipleship Resources), a fantastic guide.

Since youth would rather sign up for a short-term than long-term commitment, I offered a ten-week youth covenant group. Five youth signed up: four who were church members and one who was not. They youth were on fire for God and wanted to strengthen their spirituality. Within two weeks they had completed writing their covenant and were already taking turns leading the group. Each week a different teenager started the group with devotions. Then cards were distributed to write notes to five shut-ins from the church. (We wrote to the same shut-ins each week.) Church members who received notes were delighted and many wrote back. The group decided to expand this ministry in the fall, inviting other youth and adult covenant groups to write to church members. Midway through the ten weeks, friends of the teenagers decided they wanted to join the group, but we asked them to wait until fall when we would start new sessions. Our hope is to start several new groups this fall that will also be ten-week sessions. We would like to stagger the groups so that youth can join a group at any time. After completing a ten-week session, they can immediately continue in the same or new group for ten more weeks. This provides an opportunity to drop out or stay involved easily. Here is a copy of the covenant they wrote:

1. We will be helpful to others at home, church, and school.

2. Each week we will write a short note to a shut-in from the church.

3. We will pray each day, including prayers for our group members.

4. When we are prompted by the Holy Spirit, we will pray for others.

5. We will read the Bible each week.

6. We will be honest.

7. We will use caution with our everyday language.

8. We will commit to paying better attention in worship.

9. We will sing the hymns and read the Scripture passages used in worship.

Jesus encouraged his disciples to bring the children to him. It is my belief that covenant discipleship can play a major role in accomplishing this.

Christie Heflin is Director of Youth Ministries at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.