VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/20/07) - National Ministries and the American Baptist Churches of Indiana/Kentucky co-sponsored Discipleship Partners training for 23 representatives from eight regions at Franklin College, Franklin, Ind., November 8-9. The training featured presentations and materials about missional and congregational transformation, learning styles, improvement of teaching skills and coaching.
Discipleship Partners serve their regions as consultants and coaches who work to strengthen discipleship and teaching ministries in churches "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13 NRSV).
* As requested by congregations, Discipleship Partners provide a range of services: * Assessment and evaluation of discipleship ministries in a specific church; * Training for congregational leaders of discipleship ministries; * Presentation of methods of teaching and organizing the education work of the congregation; * Envisioning new discipleship ministries; and * Criteria for curriculum selection and other resources.
Churches can contact their region office for information about Discipleship Partners who will work with the church to build its ministries of discipleship.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/