The Vision of Dallas Center UMC (DCUMC) is to: “Make disciples by building a family of faith and reaching out through Jesus Christ.”
I am new to church, what is a Disciple?
Disciple:
Someone whose life models the example of Jesus as found in scripture. In Luke 4:18 Jesus says “The Spirit of the Lord is on me…he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…freedom for the prisoners…recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” A Disciple grows in how they care, love, serve, and seek justice for self and others.
Discipleship then is – A Family of Faith:
People coming together as they are, to learn about each other, themselves, and faith. We do this in the hope that individuals, communities and the world can be transformed into Disciples by increasingly acting more like Jesus (Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 25:31-45). A family of faith does these things together, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20).
Reaching Out Through Jesus:
There are specific ways we deepen our faith as Disciples. These are called spiritual practices. Examples include studying the Bible, small groups, fellowship, personal and communal prayer, service opportunities, worship, giving, community activism, inviting people to church activities.
I like what I am reading, where do I start?
At DCUMC, we invite you to consider these as the steps along a journey from inquiring to Disciple:
- Attend worship at 10am on Sunday. If you find us friendly, come back and attend more often.
- Challenge yourself to be a greeter, usher, reader, or choir member.
- Join us in a service opportunity. Meals From The Heartland; SAILDC; Food Pantry; the Heifer Project; and supporting the Ministerial Alliance are some of our favorite.
- Join a small group. There is a monthly men’s dinner group. A weekly women’s book group. We do Vacation Bible School for kids with the Presbyterians each Summer. We have seasonal studies, especially at Lent and Easter time.
- Serve on a Committee. Pastor Josh can tell you all about them!
- Share your passion and talent by starting a small group, teaching a class, or organizing an activity. We will help you!
- Seek candidacy to become a minister. Ministry not for you? Take SLM (School For Lay Ministry) classes.
There is room for everyone regardless of where you land on these steps. Faith is not a linear journey. Rather, as you pursue these spiritual disciplines, you make friends, find purpose, grow in faith, develop your talents, serve others, and become – as we United Methodists like to say – Perfected in Love (1 Corinthians 13).
Is Membership the last step in discipleship?
No. Hopefully all members are Disciples. Members commit to supporting the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. They are deeply faithful, committed, needed and appreciated. A Disciple does those things, but by doing these things, a Disciple is continuously seeking perfection in love as modeled by Jesus, and the world changes as a result: In John 14:12 Jesus said “believers are those who will do even greater works than I did.” Disciples embody Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Peace,
Pastor Josh