Living Faith for the Future - Revised - Making Disciples

2. Making disciples

This is about the core task left to us by Jesus. It usually takes the form of accompanying people on a journey to faith by the intentional use of nurture courses, mentoring, the catechumenate (an ancient approach to accompanied journeying), or simple friendship.

In a parish/benefice this could mean:

• Introducing one new event, course or programme each year which had as its aim the making of new disciples.
• Considering whether there is any form of Fresh Expression of church which might helpfully be explored, and looking to both diocesan and national Fresh Expressions expertise for assistance.
• Not being bashful about praying and planning for growth.
• A renewed emphasis on teaching the faith and on contemporary apologetics (defending and commending the faith).
• Developing a closer relationship with local schools and colleges as key places of community encounter.
• Contemplating the appointment of a local or deanery children's/youth worker.
• Encouraging young people to take their place in the councils of the church.
• Making use of training courses from other providers eg CPAS, Holy Trinity Brompton.

In a deanery this could mean:

• Mapping missional activity in the deanery and developing more integrated coverage.
• Developing training programmes for children's and youth leaders.
• Developing programmes to enable more confident discipleship at work and in the world.
• Co-ordinating visits for young people to Soul Survivor, Taize, Greenbelt etc..

In the diocese this could mean:

• Using theEncouraging Evangelism programme to train, resource and encourage parish groups in evangelism/making disciples, and maintaining a network of living faith champions.
• Widening the impact of fresh expressions thinking in the diocese through the Fresh Expressions Group chaired by the Bishop of Dorchester, and being more intentional about church planting, using Bishop's Mission Orders where they would be helpful.
• For young disciples in schools - affirming the centrality of Church schools as places of mission and nurture, and supporting the diocesan Academies programme. Encouraging all schools in the formation of mature, socially-aware and spiritually responsive young people.
• Enriching the support of children's and youth ministers and workers.
• Supporting Oxford Diocesan Committee for Interfaith Concerns in its task of helping the church to listen to others and bear witness to Christ in a religiously diverse culture.