|
|
Discipleship and a Journey in Crisis
Over the past two years, SDMI has been discussing a new vision for Nazarene discipleship called "A Journey of Grace." The desire is that Nazarenes around the world will be able to clearly articulate the pathway of disciple-making within the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. We believe that if this discipleship pathway is fully embraced, our church can be more effective and accomplish its mission of making Christlike disciples in the nations.
The discipleship pathway is simple and continuous. Discipleship is a journey initiated by God in which we travel from prevenient grace through saving grace to sanctifying grace. As Christians, we are called by Jesus to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), and therefore, we fully participate with God when we join with others on their journey from no faith to new faith to mature faith.
| |
|
Discipleship and Crisis
Along that journey, however, people inevitably face moments of crisis. For good or bad, these crises are defining moments in our spiritual journey. Decisions made in these crises either lead us closer to Jesus or further away. I remember such crises in my own life. I’ll share three here.
I recall a Sunday night revival service when I was in the 10th grade. The electricity failed in our church's sanctuary, so we were packed tightly into the small fellowship hall. Rev. Susie Shellenberger preached a powerful message on entire sanctification, which lead to a time of crisis and decision for me. In tears, I went forward and committed my life, my everything to God. After prayer, I turned around and saw 15 men praying with and for me. That moment of spiritual support is etched into my memory. In that moment of crisis, the church was there to walk with me toward a deeper walk with Jesus!
A few years later, I experienced another significant crisis: an extended crisis. After graduating from Olivet Nazarene University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and zoology, my life plan was to be a physician. However, God had other plans! As I began to sense and struggle with the call to pastoral ministry, the church was there to walk with me. And God used the church with songs and scriptures to draw me closer to Him.
Later, after years of pastoral ministry in Houston, Texas, the church stood by my family as we responded to God's call to serve as missionaries in Ukraine. It was a challenging transition, but each step was confirmed by God’s grace and the presence of our loving, praying church that walked with us toward Jesus.
Crisis and the Church's Challenge
The Body of Christ, if alert to God's leading and involved in the lives of people on the journey, will be there to walk with people toward Jesus in critical crisis moments.
We have lived through some huge, life-altering crises in 2020: a pandemic, racial tension, financial downturns, isolation, all in the midst of a heated election year. As we travel through these next two months, will the church engage and journey with those facing crisis?
More specifically, are you as a disciple walking with an unbeliever, leading them toward Jesus? Will you, in faith, journey with a new Christian through these difficult times? Will your Sunday school class or small group remain personally engaged with each other so that no one has to face this crisis alone?
Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus today. Let's not let anyone journey alone! Join the journey with others and experience God's ever-drawing grace!
| |
Scott Rainey,
SDMI Global Director
| |
|
|  | Things I Would Change in Discipleship Ministry
Discipleship is a lifetime passion. The first time I presented the gospel to a stranger was between the sixth and seventh grade. After the conversion, I did not know what to do, so I invited the person to come to my house for dinner, which was a surprise to my Mom! That event initiated my first attempt at intentional discipling. Read more | |  | Thirteen New SDMI District Chairs Meet for Orientation Online
Each year, we welcome new district SDMI chairs to our regional and global team of SDMI leaders who are helping others fulfill the call to make Christlike disciples in the nations. Read more | |  | How will you celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020?
In these days of widespread COVID-19 and civil unrest, we can be tempted to overlook the many chances to be thankful. God continues to bless us, especially in these different and somewhat troublesome times. We need to count our blessings, especially in difficult times. Read more | |
| | |
| | Looking ahead to the 2021 VBS – The Journey of Grace!
In 2021, the Church of the Nazarene's VBS will invite children to follow in the footsteps of a girl named Grace as she embarks on a journey that is open to everyone but few are brave enough to take. More information will follow in the next edition of SDMI Connections!
| | |
| | Women's Discipleship App Developing Personal Growth in Women and Teens
A couple of years ago, the Women's Discipleship & Ministries council discussed resources to encourage women in their spiritual growth and development. Before long, we created the NazWomen app by working with The Discipleship Place and Back to the Bible. Now, women can read devotionals with life-applications through our easy-to-access app. Read more
Click here to learn more about the Nazarene Connect app.
Click here for a link to instructions for downloading NazWomen app.
Click here to hear a testimony of how one day’s scripture from the app affected one woman’s life.
| | |
| | Four Free Downloadable Discipleship Resources for Local Churches
The Discipleship Place has launched four new small group courses. As you go through the course material (text or videos), you can share comments with others going through that same course.
If your church would like to embed these courses on your existing website, contact us, and we can help you make this a reality. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email DiscipleshipPlace@nazarene.org.
| | |
| | Save the Date for SDMI's Leadership Conference (LC2021) November 9-11, 2021!
LC2021 will be held in a beautiful mountain setting at the Ridgecrest Conference Center, just outside Ashville, North Carolina, on November 9-11, 2021.
Planning for LC2021 has already begun. The new program and schedule will be publicized within the next few months on the SDMI website, in SDMI Connections, and through your SDMI field and SDMI district representatives. Please be praying with us for this key leadership and discipleship-equipping conference. You can expect inspirational speakers, informative workshops, transformative worship, and refreshing fellowship. Don’t miss this crucial event for your discipleship ministry. See you there!
| | |
| | Just Around the Corner!
June 19-27, 2021
Have you been in a restaurant and observed servers who come in and out of the kitchen into the dining room? Sometimes they will say, or yell, "Corner," to let the others know that they are coming.
Well, it is with much excitement that we are yelling "Corner" to you to remind you that Children's World Quiz 2021 is coming! We have set aside the dates of June 19-27. Your Children’s Quizzing district or regional directors will have more details as it gets closer. If you need their contact information or more details, please contact Dorothy Whipp, dorothy@efnaz.org. Also, follow Children's Bible Quizzing on Facebook.
| | |
| | Digital Curriculum Options Expanded!
As each church's needs vary, The Foundry's curriculum delivery options have expanded! Digital curriculum is now available for all adult, youth, and children's lines. Visit thefoundrypublishing.com to learn more and order for your faith community.
| | |
Click here to read about two important SDMI changes affecting USA/Canada districts
| |
|
|
|
|
