Make Disciples!

Jesus commission to all of us is pretty clear and straightforward. A simple four-fold pattern: Go... make... baptize... teach. However, simple does not always make for easy. For example, his charge to Go... go where? Does Jesus really mean that we are to go into all the world? People might take offense. People might think we're odd. People might reject us.

And what does he mean by make? How does one make a disciple? I know how to make dinner. In truth, I know how to make a lot of things, but how does one make a disciple?

And Baptize... isn't that just a job for the pastor? Or does Jesus really expect us all to baptize disciples in his name?

And, perhaps, the most challenging, his final command: Teach... if we're really honest, how many of us feel that we don't know enough to teach others?

Yet Jesus tells us, in the gospel of John, that: If we make his word our home, we will indeed be his disciples, we will learn the truth and the truth will set us free. (Jn 8:31-32, JB)

As the early church father, Tertullian reminds us: Disciples are made, not born. But, I get ahead of myself. The actual word "disciple" has been around for thousands of years. Three key elements of discipleship:

• disciples were committed learners,
• great importance was placed on their relationship with the teacher, and
• there was a full commitment to spread the message of the master.

In truth, each of us is a disciple of someone (or something). The question is: Whose disciple am I? Who am I learning from? Who am I following?

Richard Foster, in his preface to his book on Prayer, has a wonderful image for opening the door of our hearts and stepping into the heart of God. "God," Foster writes, "has graciously allowed me to catch a glimpse into his heart. Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to him. He grieves over how we have forgotten him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence.

And now God invites us to come home where we belong... to come home to that for which we were created. His arms are stretched out wide to receive us... like the Prodigal Father. His heart is enlarged to take us in... We do not need to be shy. He invites us into the living room of his heart, where we can kick off our shoes and share freely. He invites us into the kitchen of his friendship, where chatter and meal preparation mix in good fun. He invites us into the dining room of his strength, where we can feast to our heart's delight. He invites us into the study of his wisdom, where we can learn and grow and stretch... and ask all the questions we want. He invites us into the workshop of his creativity, where we can be co-laborers with him. He invites us into the bedroom of his rest, where new peace is found, and where we can be naked and vulnerable and free."

And, lo, I am with you always to the end of the age... our Lord promises us.

To make disciples, we must first be disciples. In two weeks, a new church year will begin. Why not consider making time with God one of your Advent resolutions.

With love in Christ,

Holy Habit: Praying Your Journey

Take some time to creatively consider how your spiritual journey might be akin to visiting different rooms in a home.Where are you, right now, in your spiritual journey? Allow your attention to be drawn to a certain room or place outside. Why did you choose this place? What is it about this specific place that describes where your spirit is, right now?(Spend as much time as you need. If no specific place makes sense, just sit with the question for a while.)

Once you have chosen a room or place, write or draw some details on your drawing that describe why you chose that place and what is happening there for you, right now. You may want to draw yourself in the room. (Stick figures are fine!) Or write, "Here I am!" Describe why you are there and how it feels to be there. Describe where you might like to be and why. Remember that this creative response exercise doesn't need to make sense to anyone but you, nor does it need to be consistent. Allow your imagination to dance. Doodle and dream.

When you are ready, turn your reflecting and ruminating to prayer. Talk to God about what you're thinking and how you feel about these realizations. Be honest. Hold nothing back. Speak from your heart. Write your prayer on the page if you wish, in and amongst your other words and drawings.

Here are some ideas for how you might describe where you are now, in your spiritual life. You may move from room to room throughout the day.

• Kitchen: Where you are hard at work with details, perhaps too busy for God.
• Living Room: Where you sit talking and listening to God, but in a more formal way.
• Family Room: Where connection with God seems more comfortable and casual.
• Basement: Where you are wondering about foundational questions and doubts.
• Outside: Where you are distracted by many pursuits, wanting to be with God but not able to enter into conversation or set-aside prayer time.
• Shower: Where you are needing to be cleansed by confession.
• Stairs: Where you are sensing yourself growing closer to God.
• Bedroom: Where you experience intimacy with God in private prayer.
• Entryway: Where you are ready to enter into a deeper relationship.
• Threshold: Where you sense something is about to change.

Source: Praying with Christian Mystics, Volume 1 ©2012 Scripture Echo

From the Clerk's Desk

Formational Prayer Seminar...How we Can Change!

The Formational Prayer Seminar may appear to be a hefty title, but indeed it is four days of life changing experiences, learning to walk with Jesus and seek and obtain the glory, guidance, and reassurance of the Holy Spirit. In our first seminar, the very necessary process of forgiveness and putting wounds in perspective takes place with self-forgiveness, healing of old wounds, and short and long term hurts begin with one's self and extends to others. It is the beginning of a process and a journey!

Guided, led, and taught by Dr. Terry Wardle of Ashland Theological Seminary, who has a no holds barred, reveal all attitude about his own and shared experiences, we were guided to begin our own search and realities in a program of learning, combined with daily, meaningful worship. There could never be a kinder, more empathetic way through the hand of God!

Attending the second seminar proved to be an even stronger, more involved, self-reflective journey, led by Dr. Wardle, but further enriched by other leaders in their fields of expertise in different learning sessions. We were enriched in our journey, as we walked with Jesus daily, were led by the Holy Spirit, encouraged in daily study, daily prayer, and the use of many recommended resources. A further gift was the connections made with others making the journey, and coming from many different fields of work and areas of the country. We have been encouraged to "tell our story," and to "continue the journey." For those of us in this Presbytery with our theme of "Journeying with Jesus," these experiences are life changing helping us to make changes in our own lives to better help and encourage others to change theirs and continue the walk to enhance our own lives, other lives and the world. I believe for me, these seminars have been not only a large blessing, but a permanent life change in my personal and religious life, providing great direction and joy!

Kathy Adams,   

Ruling Elder Commissioner,  

East Hills Presbyterian Church, Mansfield, Ohio.

Formational Prayer Seminar 

January 16-19, 2013. Registration begins at 8 a.m. 

Wednesday and seminar concludes at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Link to Formational Prayer Seminar at Ashland Seminary

**Please note the $100 discount when registering as an MVP leader for Formational Prayer Seminar.