This CLASS Is for You - Issue #105

The Christian Life And Service Seminar (CLASS), composed of four sessions, provides new members of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, with an orientation to the congregation, The United Methodist Church, spiritual formation, and spiritual gifts. Participants learn to share their testimony and discover ways in which they can be in ministry to the community and congregation. These four sessions are held on Saturday or Sunday every month, except for July and September.

The four sessions are: "Membership — Exploring Saint Mark";"Maturity — A Closer Walk With God"; "Ministry — Discovering Your God-Given Potential"; and "Mission — Discovering My Life Mission." The classes are open to anyone; however, they are especially designed for new members or those considering membership at Saint Mark. When people join the church, they are automatically registered for the next session of the first class. They receive a letter and phone call to remind them of the time and date for the class. At the completion of each session, participants are automatically registered for the next class.

Most people take the first class, but not everyone completes all four sessions. Participants particularly enjoy the spiritual gifts assessment, learning more about The United Methodist Church, and the growing relationships with others in the class. The congregation benefits from these classes as it builds a shared vision for ministry and develops strong leadership. Through the spiritual gifts inventory, the congregation is enabled to match people with an appropriate ministry opportunity.

Some Questions for Discussion

• How does your congregation prepare both old and new members for active participation in the ministry of the congregation?
  
  
• How are new members incorporated into your congregation? In addition to classes, what other methods do you use or might you use to ensure that every new member is welcomed into the faith community and helped to find a place of ministry in the congregation and the wider community?
  
  
• What are the expectations of members in your congregation? How are these expectations communicated?
  
  

Carol Krau is the Director of Adult Formation and Discipleship at the Discipleship Ministries. She may be reached at [email protected]. You may read more about St. Mark UMC at www.saintmarkumc.com.

In 2007 church leaders throughout The United Methodist Church in the U.S. were invited to identify churches that demonstrated the vision of discipleship described in the twelfth chapter of Romans. Over 200 churches were surveyed or visited. Issue #105. © 2011 Discipleship Ministries. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy this page for use in United Methodist congregations.