Discipleship University Now Open for Large Churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn., December 11, 2008/GBOD/ -- Large churches may now apply for Burning Bush, an opportunity for congregational leaders to build a comprehensive plan for discipleship. The Burning Bush program for large churches begins April 30, but the application deadline is Jan. 15.
Burning Bush is Discipleship University’s core curriculum and was officially launched Oct. 9. Created by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, Discipleship University (DU) is designed to assist congregational leaders to focus and align their efforts for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
As a part of DU, Burning Bush is a key strategy of GBOD for addressing revitalization of congregations, thus supporting the denomination’s Areas of Focus. It also supports these Areas of Focus by developing principled Christian leaders.
The first peer learning group included teams from four of the five United Methodist jurisdictions. They began a two-year process to design and implement a discipleship plan in their congregations. “The highlight of the experience for me was watching congregations enthusiastic about making disciples and experiencing a sense of community and hope,” says Carol F. Krau, Director of Adult Formation and Discipleship with GBOD.
The second peer learning group will begin on April 30 and is designed for large membership churches with a weekly average attendance in worship of 250 or more. It, too, will meet for five sessions over two years. The sessions will focus on identity and purpose, hospitality and faith sharing, worship and spiritual practices, reconciliation and justice, and service and mission.
The registration fee is $225 per team member (3-5 persons on a team) per weekend. Application information and forms are available through online at www.gbod.org/du.
“We hope that you will help spread the word about this opportunity for development of spiritual leadership for fulfilling the mission of the church,” Krau says. “We invite you to join us in praying that God will continue to guide this effort, so that the world might be transformed in Jesus’ name.”
You will find more information about Discipleship University and Burning Bush at the above Web site. Interested persons may also call Mary McDonald at (877) 899-2780, ext. 1760, or e-mail Mary at mmcdonald@gbod.org.
