Disciple making

Our church has been exploring the idea of a new vision- something that can hold us accountable to journeying in the direction God would wants us to move.

The vision we have moved towards is "Weltevreden Methodist exists to grow disciples who will serve the world".

I think this is close to Jesus' heart, but sadly don't see it in most churches. Dallas Willard speaks of the 'great ommision'- the failure of the church to facilitate the training of disciples as envisioned by Jesus. We seem to want to get people to believe the correct doctrine (and sadly I think this is true on the side of both liberals and conservatives), instead of working towards the shaping and forming of our wills (decision making processes) into the likeness of Jesus' will.

I am excited by this vision but also apprehensive: as I leave this community later this year, and I wonder where this vision will take them. Will it simply be another phrase bandied around or will it be a radical rudder steering them towards faithfulness that will cause the world to mutter in surprise.

Companions in Christ (spiritual formation material) offers the following as a guide to help churches reflect. I have replaced the vision they have used as an example with the one we are looking to adopt for this community: It seeks to really help churches to take seriously the mission statement

We propose that every aspect on congregation life be approached in light of the mission of our church: "Weltevreden Methodist exists to grow disciples who will serve the world". Activities that do not support or further this mission will be eliminated or transformed.

I have wondered what my mission statement is, and how aligned my life is in terms of energy and activity towards the direction I purport to live.