Here at FSLUMC we have accepted the challenge of making Disciples of Jesus Christ as presented by Bishop Bruce R. Ough during his Episcopal Address to the West Ohio Annual Conference on June 8, 2001:

… (excerpt) … Throughout the gospels there is a pattern to how Jesus led others to see a new reality, to lead transformed lives and to join the God-movement. Look with me at the story of blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52, as just one example. What are Jesus’ actions? What are Jesus’ behaviors? What do they tell us about how we are to make disciples of all nations?  … (excerpt) …

There are four key elements to the disciple-making process. Some refer to this as the
core process of disciple-making. The four key elements are:

1. Radical hospitality that reaches across economic, racial, age and gender lines and focuses on the stranger and those outside the community of faith.

2. Passionate worship that opens persons to experience the gracious presence and healing power of God.

3. Faith-forming relationships, experiences and education in the context of Christian community that lead persons to a disciplined life of devotion and service in the name of Jesus Christ.

4. Risk-taking service and mission that focuses our attention and spiritual gifts upon the world and its needs, especially the needs of children and the poor.

 This core process has a direct correlation to Jesus’ model of disciple-making found in Mark’s gospel.

The following table illustrates the relationship.

Our new Web Site is structured to focus on these four key elements of our Mission.