Here's a question:   What's the most important thing your congregation's doing, the most crucial ministry your church is engaged in?  Whatever answer you come up with, chances are that nurturing disciples is likely to be a part of it.

 

The Book of Order lays it out: The church is faithful to the mission of Christ as it "Nurtures a covenant community of disciples of Christ" - BO F-1.03

 

I imagine you were nurtured as a disciple, weren't you... or, rather, I figure you are being nurtured, since no matter when your formation started, it's a life-long process for any disciple.  Which means that, for churches, disciple formation is work and responsibility that never ends.

 

So, how's your church doing with this?  Could it use some help, some encouragement, a few good resources?  If so, I invite you to come and to bring others with you to a Symposium the Commission on Thriving Congregation is offering on the last Saturday in September.  We're calling it:

 

                Sharing Sacred Stories - Forming Christ's Disciples

 

We've engaged as our keynoter the storyteller/actor Frank Runyeon - a Princeton grad who also studied at Fuller, Yale Divinity and General Seminary.  He'll help us explore some stories in Luke's gospel that can shape disciples profoundly.

 

We'll be offering practical workshops on intergenerational ministry, on nurturing leaders as disciples and on building a pathway for formation.

We're planning a set of "Ted Talks" to help us look at disciple formation from various angles - Formation by Facebook; formation in the immigrant context; formation through small groups; and others.  There's even going to be some open-space time for participants to use as they are led.

 

And, note this: we're building in a youth track, too.  We're inviting middle and high school age students - they'll be able to have their own special conversation with the keynoter on the topic of "Hollywood Versus Faith".

 

It's going to be a rich day, a rich resource for pastors and elders, youth and youth leaders, and others who have disciple formation interests and roles.  So, share the word and save the date - the symposium will be held  9am to 3pm on Saturday Sept. 30 at the First Presbyterian Church Howard County.  Registration will open in June.

Bill Nickels,