I am excited as I look forward to my new responsibilities as your Pastor of Spiritual Development.  At the same time I find myself humbled and even a little intimidated because I know myself - I know the degree to which I myself am an uncompleted work in Christ's hands.  Yet, one of the greatest miracles is that God chooses to use fallen men and women to do His most important work!

As I prepare myself for this awesome undertaking, I am finding myself seeking the wisdom of others who have contemplated what discipleship is all about.  I would like to share two similar quotes with you.  The first is written by one of the most prolific authors of all time.  Anonymous said: "

"Plant a word in the mind, and you will reap an act. Plant the act and you will reap a habit. Plant a habit and you will reap a character. Plant a character and you will reap a nature. Plant a nature and you will reap a destiny."

I like this quote because it tells us something very important about discipleship.  Discipleship is a serial act.  You don't read one book, or go to a retreat and come home a fully devoted follower of Christ.  Right now I am in the process of preparing a presentation for the Elder's consideration.  Those ideas will be refined and strengthened and I look forward to rolling out this ministry shortly. I can assure you of one thing: our disciplemaking ministry will be designed in such a way that it comes alongside our excellent small group ministry, rather than compete with it.   I'd like to leave you with that second quote I promised: