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The United Methodist Church Doctrine

At the heart of the UMC discipleship is the General Rule of Discipleship, found in The Book of Discipline. It calls believers to:
  • Witness to Jesus Christ in the world
  • Follow His teachings through:
    • Acts of compassion - loving and serving others
    • Justice - advocating for the poor and oppressed
    • Worship - prayer, Scripture, and sacraments
    • Devotion - living in close relationship with God
This rule reflects John Wesley's 18th-century "general rules" for Methodists, balancing works of piety (worship, devotion) with works of mercy (compassion, justice).

Covenant Discipleship

A key UMC practice is Covenant Discipleship Groups, where small groups of six to seven adults meet weekly to:
  • Create a covenant based on the General Rule
  • Commit to specific clauses in justice, compassion, worship, and devotion
  • Give weekly accounts of how they've lived out or failed to live out those clauses
This accountability fosters spiritual growth, mutual encouragement, and the formation of habits aligned with the Gospel.


The Cycle of Discipleship

The UMC's Book of Discipline outlines a Cycle of Discipleship:
  • Reach Out and Receive - Proclaim the Gospel, welcome and gather people into the Body of Christ.
  • Relate People to God - Lead them to commit their lives to God through baptism and profession of faith.
  • Nurture and Strengthen - Nurture Christian living through worship, sacraments, spiritual disciplines, and Christian conferencing.
  • Send Forth - Send transformed individuals into the world to live lovingly and justly, serving the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, free the oppressed, and building just social structures.


Practical Application

Discipleship Ministries provides resources, training, and curriculum to help congregations:
  • Develop discipleship pathways
  • Form small groups
  • Integrate spiritual formation with mission work
  • Use tools like the Upper Room devotionals, BeADisciple app, and Amplify Media for ongoing growth
In summary, the UMC discipleship doctrine is a holistic call to live out the Gospel in both personal holiness and social justice, guided by the General Rule of Discipleship, practiced through covenant groups, and carried out in a structured cycle that transforms individuals and communities.

Discipleship Enrollment

Thank you for your interest in joining our Discipleship program! We offer a robust and enduring program that seeks and enables a rich spiritual experience in becoming more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This experience transcends into our families, our friends, and our communities. 

Please complete the following information to begin your journey toward discipleship.


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