November 29, 2012
By Phil Maynard
Although I have been a life-long United Methodist, one of my most formative experiences in the faith journey was the introduction to accountable discipleship. Drawing on the rich heritage of the Wesleyan Class meetings, the accountable discipleship helped me understand that being a disciple of Jesus Christ was not just about learning more about Jesus. It was about becoming like Jesus.
The center-point of accountable discipleship is a covenant that reflects a set of agreed upon behaviors that help the disciple move toward maturity. Most covenants included practices related to personal & corporate worship; the study of scripture; an active prayer life; the practice of spiritual disciplines; serving those in need; paying attention to the warnings/promptings of the Holy Spirit; and caring for our bodies and the world. It wa