Becoming Witnesses
by Steven W. Manskar
 The 2008 General Conference added to the vows of church membership. All the vows are contained in the Baptismal Covenant found on pages 33-39 of The United Methodist Hymnal. The change I am writing about here is to a question found on page 38 under the heading “Reception into the Local Congregation:”
As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?
Did you notice the change?
That’s right. The last three words are new. Professing members of The United Methodist Church now promise to faithfully participate in the ministries of the local congregation through their witness.
This says to me that local congregations will be much more intentional about preparing their members to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world. It means that congregations will be more intentional about initiating people into Christian faith in ways that equip them to bear witness to the truth of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It means that congregations will once again become “schools for martyrs.”
“Martyr” is a Greek word meaning “witness” and “one who bears testimony.” Witnesses are truth-tellers. They tell what they have seen and heard in words and actions that others can understand.
We know from history, that Christian martyrs had a unique, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, the One who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Their testimony was not always welcome by a world ruled by the powers of sin and death. Their witness sometimes lead to suffering and death; which is why the word “martyr” is now equated with people who die for their beliefs.
Christian martyrs surrender themselves to Jesus so that their lives give testimony to him as “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Congregations must intentionally equip their members to be witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world. They have a powerful means for such equipping in the Wesleyan tradition of the class meeting, class leaders and the General Rules.
Covenant Discipleship groups are a contemporary adaptation of the Wesleyan small groups. These groups do not attempt to recreate the class meeting but rather focus on the feature that is most needed today: mutual accountability for discipleship.
A CD group is 5-7 people who agree to meet weekly for one hour. The agenda for their meeting is a covenant they write, shaped by the General Rule of Discipleship: To witness to Jesus Christ in the world and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each member gives his or her account of what they have done during the week to be a witness to Jesus Christ in the world.
Covenant Discipleship groups are a proven and historic means for helping congregations to become “schools for martyrs.” They equip Christians to keep their promise to faithfully participate in the congregation’s ministries by their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
Steven W. Manskar is the Director of Accountable Discipleship for the General Board of Discipleship.
Recommended Reading
A Disciple’s Journal: Daily Bible Reading and Guidance for Reflection
This journal will help you connect the inner spiritual life with the actions of Christian discipleship and help you maintain balance between works of piety and works of mercy.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $12.00.
Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living
Methodist Christians sometimes exhibit the most unchristian attitudes and behavior. People notice. And it's reflecting badly on the church, but we can — individually and collectively — correct the problem.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $13.00.
Opening Ourselves to Grace
This four-video, six-week Bible study presents a clear and contemporary understanding of Wesleyan spiritual practices.
Available from Discipleship Resources at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore or (800) 972-0433 for $24.00.
Upcoming Events
Wesleyan Institutes
April 23-25, 2009 at Faith Community United Methodist Church in Xenia, OH
October 22-24, 2009 at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, CA
www.WesleyanInstitute.org
Wesley Pilgrimage in England
May 11-20, 2010
With Paul Chilcote, Steven Manskar and Anita Wood
gbod.org/WesleyPilgrimage/
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