The Four Pillars
of Discipleship
at Christ United
Act Inclusively
The Bible tells us that all people are created in the image of God; therefore, people of all abilities, genders, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, and religions are welcome and affirmed in our community.
More than that, as disciples, each of us must seek to go the extra mile to include others in every aspect of our church’s life.
Recommended Reading: Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke. Purchase here to support local booksellers.
Serve Others
Jesus told his first disciples that even he came not to be served, but to serve others. As followers of Jesus, we seek to do the same: feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, and showing mercy to those in need.
Recommended Reading: Crossing Boundaries: Sharing God’s Good News Through Mission by Dr. David W. Scott. Purchase here to support local booksellers.
Recommended Reading: Having Nothing Possessing Everything by Rev. Michael Mather. Purchase here to support local booksellers.
Do Justice
Over and over, the Bible speaks of God’s justice. As disciples we envision a day when no one will experience poverty, be unjustly imprisoned, or have their rights taken away.
Because of these visions, we will advocate for the marginalized and for an end to systemic injustices and harmful prejudices.
Read the United Methodist Social Principles
Recommended Reading: Be the Bridge: Exploring God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison. Purchase here to support local booksellers.
Seek God
As a community of faith, we seek God in all things, and particularly through worship and spiritual practices. We believe that God is found not just on Sunday morning, but every day of the week as we live out our calling to discipleship.
Explore Ways to Pray from the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Recommended Reading: Holy Living: Discernment: Spiritual Practices of Building a Life of Faith by Beth Ann Estock. Purchase here to support local booksellers.
Read the Upper Room Daily Devotional online, or ask the church office for a hard copy.
The Four Stages of Discipleship
These are the stages of discipleship we've identified in our faith community. Being aware of the stage you are at can help you identify which opportunities may be the best for you at Christ United. We believe that each of us can always grow as disciples, no matter our stage.
1. Seeking
I’m looking for something: a purpose, a community, a way to understand life. I may have grown up in a non-religious household. Alternatively, I may have grown up in a Christian or religious household but left my original faith community at some point in my life. I’m checking out Christ United for the first time and want to know what this community believes and how it puts those beliefs into action.
I have committed to being a part of Christ United, and I’m interested in learning more about what it means to be a disciple. I would be interested in introductory-level classes about the Bible, spirituality, and discipleship. I’m also interested in finding ways to put my faith into action.
2. Committing
I have taken some of the introductory courses and now I’m ready to try more advanced classes on the Bible and discipleship. At the same time, I feel in some ways like my “faith life” is separate from “the rest” of my life. I want to learn how to integrate discipleship into every day so that it informs me and who I am at a deeper level.
3. Integrating
I feel my faith is well-integrated into my ways of being and doing, and it’s very important to me. I have a thirst to learn and grow more in the faith, and I’m ready to help lead others on their pathway of discipleship and to share what I’ve learned.