The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
While the practices referred to as “The Methodist Way” are as ancient as Scripture and characteristic of the Methodist movement across England and America in the 18’th century, the current language comes from Bishops Bruce Ough and Robert Scnase searching Scripture for images to define congregational health. Bishop Schnase went on to write a book, The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (published by Abingdon Press in 2007) that describes these core practices which together fulfill a congregation’s mission to “make disciples for a transformed world.”
In November 2007, at a historic first meeting of the Cabinets of all Annual Conferences, “The Methodist Way” was shared by the Council of Bishops as a clear and practical way of conceiving the process of making disciples in a local congregation. The Florida Annual Conference has adopted Bishop Schnase’s descriptions of Five Practices, with slight variations, as descriptive of the core activities that make up Christ’s mission for local congregations.
What “The Methodist Way” does is assist United Methodists gain clarity about the specific behaviors, activities and practices which are essential to disciple making. As Bishop Robert Schnase put it, these five core discipling practices “move us from abstract intentions to practical and personal directions for ministry. Once our mission becomes practical and personal, it becomes memorable and achievable.”
[+] Salty Service Ticket (PDF)
[+] Monthly Missional Vital Sign (PDF)
[+] The Methodist Way Congregational Self-Survey (WORD)
[+] The Methodist Way Overview (PowerPoint)
[+] The Methodist Way Overview Script (WORD)
[+] The Methodist Way Overview--Spanish (PowerPoint)
[+] The Methodist Way Overview Script--Spanish (WORD)
[+] What Is a Mature Follower of Jesus Christ (WORD)
[+] How do the 5 Practices relate to the 8 Characteristics (WORD)
[+] Cokesbury Methodist Way Study Guide (PDF)
[+] The Methodist Way Study Guide -- Franklin Gillis (PDF)
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