This is the 3rd in a series of posts on measuring engagement in addition to attendance. This week we begin with the assumption that growing as a disciple is possible only by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must intentionally and prayerfully nurture discipleship growth. At baptism in the United Methodist Church, the congregation promises,
“We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.”
A few ways we might document prayerful engagement in discipleship ministries:
- Invite and track the number of people committed to praying for those in specific ministries (teams of people praying for the 3rd grade class or individual prayer partners, for example)
- Beginning church meetings and gatherings with prayers for discipleship ministries.
- Ending one on one meetings with prayer.
- Increasing the numbers of people committed to teaching, praying, greeting and ministering with children.
Prayer is an essential component of faith formation. Last week prayer was included in the post about practices of Christian disciples. This is a beginning list of ways we might notice the Spirit’s movement in our congregations. What might you add?
In the next post, after Christmas, I will propose ways in which we might document faith practice at home.
Christine V Hides 
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