Sponsoring a Making Disciples Training Event Annual Conference & District Guide In the pre-Christian world of the early church, the church developed a pathway for conversion called the “catechumenate.” The faith-sharing of Christians attracted people who were not raised Christian. The community walked with them on a journey of conversion, leading to baptism and ministry in everyday life. The church welcomed them as hearers in whom the Word of God would “echo” or resound by the power of the Spirit. In Wesley’s England, many persons were nominally Christian but had not been transformed to holiness of heart and life. Class meetings provided mentoring groups for recovering the form and power of Christian discipleship. Today’s situation is similar to that of the early church and of 17th-century England. Millions of people have no exposure to Scripture, Christian worship, prayer, and the call to discipleship in daily life. Many others come from other religious faiths. When these persons begin to search, they need far more than a brief membership orientation. They need a safe, hospitable setting where they can ask key questions and share stories of seeking and faith. Several Christian denominations are discovering that a modern version of the catechumenate provides the church with a person-oriented, faithful way of welcoming and mentoring persons toward hearing the Word, baptism, and a life of discipleship. Since this approach focuses on people with little or no background in the faith, we call it Christian initiation. Interested congregations, districts, and annual conferences can learn how to focus on this ministry by sending a small leadership team to a “Making Disciples” training event. These events explore a basic process by walking participants through it in a compressed period. The event includes plenary presentations, small group process, role-plays, workshops, and worship that incorporates the blessings and prayers used during the Christian initiation process. One-year prior to the desired event date. Small leadership teams from congregations that are interested in implementing this ministry. The congregational team should include the pastor(s) and 2-3 persons who will coordinate and guide Christian initiation of adults and youth. Participants can earn continuing education credits. Two to four days—annual conferences or districts decide the length and format. A common length is two full days (with two overnights), for example, beginning Friday noon and ending Sunday noon. The ideal site is a retreat center with: Housing Meal service A modern chapel with piano and flexible worship space Ample plenary space Breakout rooms for small group meetings Opportunity for hands-on ministry with the poor and marginalized Events can also happen at a hotel with: Plenary space A church building within easy walking distance (or a dedicated “ballroom” space set up as a “permanent” worship space) Breakout rooms for small group meetings Opportunity for hands-on ministry with the poor and marginalized Annual conferences pay costs by subsidy or by charging participants registration fees sufficient to cover housing, meals, and miscellaneous costs, such as the Christian Initiation Series books and an event notebook. A Christian Initiation Project Team staff plus local staff, as available. Team roles: convener, presenter, worship/music coordinator, plenary coordinator, small group coordinator, and ministry coordinator. The Discipleship Ministry Unit staff of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship works with annual conference or district staff to configure the staff for the event. GBOD staff ask the sponsoring body to cover housing, meals, and travel costs for the event staff. Typically, staffing an event costs around $2500. Staff costs can be built into the registration fee, covered by the annual conference, or covered by a grant that the annual conference has obtained. Contact: Daniel T. Benedict, Jr. Phone: (615) 340-7072 Toll-free (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7072 Email: dbenedic@gbod.org Fax: (615) 340-7015 For more details about this process and how it works in the local church, see the brochure Making Disciples in a New Millennium, available from Daniel T. Benedict, Jr.(see contact information above) | Worship Home Page |