Discipleship is the key ingredient to a thriving church. We are all----all----moving closer to Jesus. Hope doesn't believe in a "one size fits all" discipleship. Many churches would offer a pre-programmed class structure. Instead, we share life together in powerful and meaningful ways.
Secondly, the way in which discipleship is done speaks about the church's purpose in the world. Does the church run a "bounded" set? Come and see? Or, is everyone inside and outside the church membership following Jesus in a "centered" set?
At Hope, we see the Discipleship Groups as the goal of our church for each and every member. Our natural process works in this way- Guests attend church during the regular service times and decide whether or not they will join the Hope Community Church family. The next step we offer a is our Education Hour. This is for everyone who wants to grow deeper in their faith along side others in a more intimate setting. We see this as the place where deep connections are made and where understanding grows. During these classes natural bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood form. As those members of Hope grow we encourage each and every person to be part of a discipleship group that takes the form of 3-4 people. The only requirements for being in a discipleship group is a yearning to grow closer to God and a regular commitment to the others in your group. Discipleship groups are for everyone and they exist to provide a personalized approach growth and development and when they are done well they change lives.
Secondly, the way in which discipleship is done speaks about the church's purpose in the world. Does the church run a "bounded" set? Come and see? Or, is everyone inside and outside the church membership following Jesus in a "centered" set?
At Hope, we see the Discipleship Groups as the goal of our church for each and every member. Our natural process works in this way- Guests attend church during the regular service times and decide whether or not they will join the Hope Community Church family. The next step we offer a is our Education Hour. This is for everyone who wants to grow deeper in their faith along side others in a more intimate setting. We see this as the place where deep connections are made and where understanding grows. During these classes natural bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood form. As those members of Hope grow we encourage each and every person to be part of a discipleship group that takes the form of 3-4 people. The only requirements for being in a discipleship group is a yearning to grow closer to God and a regular commitment to the others in your group. Discipleship groups are for everyone and they exist to provide a personalized approach growth and development and when they are done well they change lives.
|
|
|
