Responding to Hurricane Matthew Storm Damage

NC Conference

Healthy Congregations and Effective Leaders in Every Place Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

Faith Formation

The Faith Formation Committee of the North Carolina Conference is making available to our churches the Real Discipleship Survey. Based on his book, “Shift: Helping Congregations Back Into the Game of Effective Ministry,” the survey is an instrument designed by Dr. Phil Maynard to support the development of maturing disciples at both the personal and congregational levels.  It measures the level of maturity in each of six dimensions of discipleship addressed in his book:

  • A Life of Worship
  • A Life of Hospitality
  • A Life Opening to Jesus
  • A Life Obeying Jesus
  • A Life of Service
  • A Life of Generosity

Churches have FREE unlimited access to this survey during 2017.

At the personal level, each participant receives a report indicating the level of maturity for each dimension, possible next steps for growth, and suggested resources for personal development.  It is a powerful tool, particularly when used in a discipleship coaching relationship, for supporting the development of growing disciples.

At the church level, each participant receives the report as described previously.  In addition, the church administrator receives a matrix giving the percentage of persons identifying themselves inn each of the levels of maturity for each dimension.  This is an invaluable resource for discipleship teams in planning for the support of an intentional discipleship process.

More information and PDF downloadable instructions sheets are available on this web page.

Would you please take 3 minutes to respond to 3 questions about what has helped you grow and what would continue to be of help?

The General Rule of Discipleship

The following is a contemporary phrasing of the John Wesley’s three General Rules – the Wesleyan way of living out one’s discipleship and growing in holiness of heart and life:

“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.”

John Wesley’s General Rule of Discipleship helps us reflect on the whole of our spiritual lives – the Works of Piety and the Works of Mercy. Each has both a private and a public aspect. The Works of Mercy include our Acts of Compassion (private) and our Acts of Justice (public). The Works of Piety include our Acts of Devotion (private) and our Acts of Worship (public).

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Acts of Compassion:

North Carolina Conference Mission and Outreach

Acts of Justice:

North Carolina Conference Board of Church and Society

Acts of Devotion:

Daily Devotional Practices

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RESOURCES

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The Academy for Spiritual Formation – Since 1983, the Academy for Spiritual Formation® has offered an environment for spiritually hungry pilgrims, whether lay or clergy, that combines academic learning with experience in spiritual disciplines and community.  The Academy’s commitment to an authentic spirituality promotes balance, inner peace and outer peace, holy living and justice living, God’s shalom.  Theologically the focus is Trinitarian, celebrating the Creator’s blessing, delighting in the companionship of Christ and witnessing to the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, churches and the world.