The Methodist Way

The Methodist Way:
Five essential practices involved in
making disciples for Jesus Christ

“The United Methodist Way” refers to the five aspects of the core disciple-making process to which every congregation is called. They have their roots both in our Wesleyan heritage and in the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each of these five pieces is essential in making disciples of Jesus Christ; just doing one, two, or three is not enough.

In the next several months, churches throughout the Florida Conference and the entire United Methodist denomination will have the opportunity to learn more about The United Methodist Way, and how they can grow in their practice of each of the five aspects. Stay tuned to this Web site for more information.

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LIVING THE UNITED METHODIST WAY
An e-Review Commentary
by Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker
February 7, 2008

You will be hearing about “Living the United Methodist Way” frequently in the years to come. I want to share with you where this theme came from and how it is being introduced to The United Methodist Church.

The theme is just one of several emphases that have emerged from the planning of the Council of Bishops during the 2004-2008 quadrennium. During this quadrennium, the council has developed a theme to guide its oversight of the whole church. The theme is “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” While developing this theme, the council has been in communication with the Connectional Table and all of the boards and agencies of the church so that together we may order the life of the church around a common vision and purpose.

TO READ THE ENTIRE COMMENTARY, CLICK HERE >>

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Welcome to FivePractices.org!
The purpose of FivePractices.org is to identify and connect congregations and church leaders who seek to multiply their ministries by repeating, deepening, and improving on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations:

Radical Hospitality
Passionate Worship
Intentional Faith Development
Risk-taking Mission and Service
Extravagant Generosity

This website serves as a source for new ideas, best practices, suggested readings, sermons, study guides, internet resources, teaching congregations, and event announcements that strengthen the basic practices of congregational ministry. The purpose of FivePractices.org is intended to encourage sharing, downloading, and free distribution of helpful ideas.

TO VISIT THE FIVE PRACTICES WEB SITE, CLICK HERE>>

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A VIDEO PRESENTATION ON THE FIVE PRACTICES
In this video, Robert Schnase presents suggestions for using the five core practices in congregations to a group of clergy in Missouri.

Click on the link below:

video

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"SALTY SERVICE" - The Methodist Way

Salty Service – In Mission and Service

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be the salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?” – Matthew 5:13 (The Message)

Salty Service, The Methodist Way, is the practice of fruitful congregations in mission and service. It includes the projects, the efforts, and the work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ, whether or not they will ever be part of the community of faith.

A Salty Servant is someone who joins Jesus in service to persons outside their congregation for at least one hour during the previous week in one of four ways:

Hands-on mercy ministry alleviating the suffering of others;
Justice ministry addressing systems that cause suffering;
Earth-care as a steward of God’s creation; or,
Relationship building to ease the emotional or spiritual needs of others.

If you provided service in one of the above ways to persons outside the congregation of First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill, for at least one hour in the past week, please indicate that by placing one of the salt pellets from the shallow bowl on the table in the Narthex into the fish bowl located alongside.

Each month the number of salt pellets in the fish bowl will be counted as one indication of our congregation’s involvement in salty service as an encouragement to all to seek out opportunities for salty service in church-sponsored ministries, such as a mission trip or working in the Food Pantry or those non-church sponsored such as Habitat for Humanity, or a community task force planning an Earth Day event.

The Spirit’s transformational work in us through the practice of Salty Service addresses our fundamental need to be part of a larger purpose that gives meaning to our lives. Without getting out of ourselves and investing the unique gifts, talents and strengths with which God has equipped each of us in making our contribution to His Kingdom work, we fail to find the fulfilling purpose our lives were created to have.

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

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