Intentional Discipleship Path Begins Here

Adult faith formation and sermon-based small groups begin meeting this week. When on-going classes and service groups are included, over 100 adults are participating in intentional faith formation. This is a great week for Brighton First and there is even more to be excited about.

The Tuesday morning Men with Tools begins at 8:30 with discussion and
prayer and then spends the rest of the morning on work projects.

Those who are participating, have the opportunity to intentionally grow in discipleship in five specific areas: Worship,  Hospitality, Obedience to Jesus, Living in Relationship with other Disciples and Enthusiastic Service and Generosity (WHOLE).

In September, Brighton First introduced the "WHOLE" process for intentionally growing as a disciple of Christ. Congregation members were invited to consider their place on their spiritual journey. In what ways did their lives reflect active discipleship and in what areas would they like to grow? Those curious about the path they could take used a printed chart or a web-based inventory for discernment.

The Adult Faith Formation Team then invited congregation members to choose classes, small groups, outreach teams and service groups. Many signed up for groups in which they were already participating. However, many also signed up for four new small groups, five new classes, music and service opportunities.

The plan of the Adult Faith Formation Team is to offer opportunities in every area of the WHOLE model each "trimester", making three rounds of classes and small groups available each year. In addition, there will be all-church small group studies in Advent and Lent. The "WHOLE" process is based on a three-year cycle and is an intentional plan to consistently and clearly offer opportunities to grow in faith.

The goal is to offer choices that appeal to a variety of interests and styles and, yet, point all down a path toward growing as disciples of Christ.

Intentional Discipleship Path Begins Here

Adult faith formation and sermon-based small groups begin meeting this week. When on-going classes and service groups are included, over 100 adults are participating in intentional faith formation. This is a great week for Brighton First and there is even more to be excited about.

The Tuesday morning Men with Tools begins at 8:30 with discussion and
prayer and then spends the rest of the morning on work projects.

Those who are participating, have the opportunity to intentionally grow in discipleship in five specific areas: Worship,  Hospitality, Obedience to Jesus, Living in Relationship with other Disciples and Enthusiastic Service and Generosity (WHOLE).

In September, Brighton First introduced the "WHOLE" process for intentionally growing as a disciple of Christ. Congregation members were invited to consider their place on their spiritual journey. In what ways did their lives reflect active discipleship and in what areas would they like to grow? Those curious about the path they could take used a printed chart or a web-based inventory for discernment.

The Adult Faith Formation Team then invited congregation members to choose classes, small groups, outreach teams and service groups. Many signed up for groups in which they were already participating. However, many also signed up for four new small groups, five new classes, music and service opportunities.

The plan of the Adult Faith Formation Team is to offer opportunities in every area of the WHOLE model each "trimester", making three rounds of classes and small groups available each year. In addition, there will be all-church small group studies in Advent and Lent. The "WHOLE" process is based on a three-year cycle and is an intentional plan to consistently and clearly offer opportunities to grow in faith.

The goal is to offer choices that appeal to a variety of interests and styles and, yet, point all down a path toward growing as disciples of Christ.

Karen Wagg Agrees to Chair Discipleship Committee

Karen Wagg has agreed to lead the Intentional Faith Development Task Force and to chair the Discipleship Team at Brighton First.

Karen Wagg, Discipleship Team Chair

Karen Wagg, a member of Brighton First and a regular attender of the 11:00 worship service, felt a pull at her heart when she began to hear plans for the Vital Church Initiative Consultation in 2015. She attended the preliminary workshops and volunteered to take an active roll in implementing the Vital Church Initiative consultation recommendations. In 2015, she became part of the VCI Implementation Team. (See June 9, 2015 article in blog archives.) This team is a short term task force charged with overseeing the implementation of the five prescriptions for improvement offered by the consultation team. Karen also joined the Intentional Faith Development Team. Their task is to implement an intentional plan for offering opportunities to grow in discipleship at Brighton First.

Over the last year, Karen has taken her responsibilities seriously. She has done extensive reading in plans for building up disciples of Jesus Christ. She has attended workshops and many, many meetings. Currently, she is leading in partnership with our Director of Discipleship, Bob Fuchs.

Karen and her husband Kevin are faithful attenders at the 11:00 worship service where they regularly serve as ushers and greeters. Karen is also on the "front lines" of hospitality, sending notes to first time visitors and coordinating our visitor database.

Karen Wagg Agrees to Chair Discipleship Committee

Karen Wagg has agreed to lead the Intentional Faith Development Task Force and to chair the Discipleship Team at Brighton First.

Karen Wagg, Discipleship Team Chair

Karen Wagg, a member of Brighton First and a regular attender of the 11:00 worship service, felt a pull at her heart when she began to hear plans for the Vital Church Initiative Consultation in 2015. She attended the preliminary workshops and volunteered to take an active roll in implementing the Vital Church Initiative consultation recommendations. In 2015, she became part of the VCI Implementation Team. (See June 9, 2015 article in blog archives.) This team is a short term task force charged with overseeing the implementation of the five prescriptions for improvement offered by the consultation team. Karen also joined the Intentional Faith Development Team. Their task is to implement an intentional plan for offering opportunities to grow in discipleship at Brighton First.

Over the last year, Karen has taken her responsibilities seriously. She has done extensive reading in plans for building up disciples of Jesus Christ. She has attended workshops and many, many meetings. Currently, she is leading in partnership with our Director of Discipleship, Bob Fuchs.

Karen and her husband Kevin are faithful attenders at the 11:00 worship service where they regularly serve as ushers and greeters. Karen is also on the "front lines" of hospitality, sending notes to first time visitors and coordinating our visitor database.

Bob Fuchs, Director of Discipleship, Offers Faith Development Update

As part of Brighton First’s Vital Church Initiative commitment, the Intentional Faith Development Task Force has agreed to develop an intentional plan that will, with the help of God, make disciples for Jesus Christ. Bob Fuchs, Brighton First’s Director of Discipleship, offers an update of their work:

The Intentional Faith Development Task Force and the Adult Faith Formation Committee  held a joint meeting on March 22.  They came together to accelerate the progress Brighton First is making in addressing our Vital Church Initiative prescription to improve our actions in discipleship/intentional faith development. 

We are using Membership to Discipleship – Growing Mature Disciples Who Make Disciples, by Phil Maynard, as our guide.  The goal is to have a consistent plan and process to take an active role in growing disciples of Jesus Christ. 

The initial questions we need to answer are:

•        What does a disciple of Jesus Christ look like?
•      What do we need to do to guide people along the path of discipleship? 

We know making disciples is about more than Bible studies and small groups. Tools for developing strong disciples include mentoring and coaching, and meeting people where they are.  Discipleship is about relationships, between each other and with Jesus Christ.

We celebrate the progress our church has made in the area of hospitality and the many things we do well, i.e. women’s and men’s groups, and know we have much more to do. We also celebrate Karen Wagg and her willingness to serve as the leader of this combined team. Her passion and commitment are contagious.

The team will establish specific goals and metrics to measure the effectiveness of our process.   September 1, 2016 is our “launch” date and we will have the framework in place before then.   In the short term, there will be small group studies available, life groups that are meeting and opportunities to mentor. 

Please keep this team in your prayers throughout the spring and summer.  

Bob Fuchs, Director of Discipleship, Offers Faith Development Update

As part of Brighton First’s Vital Church Initiative commitment, the Intentional Faith Development Task Force has agreed to develop an intentional plan that will, with the help of God, make disciples for Jesus Christ. Bob Fuchs, Brighton First’s Director of Discipleship, offers an update of their work:

The Intentional Faith Development Task Force and the Adult Faith Formation Committee  held a joint meeting on March 22.  They came together to accelerate the progress Brighton First is making in addressing our Vital Church Initiative prescription to improve our actions in discipleship/intentional faith development. 

We are using Membership to Discipleship – Growing Mature Disciples Who Make Disciples, by Phil Maynard, as our guide.  The goal is to have a consistent plan and process to take an active role in growing disciples of Jesus Christ. 

The initial questions we need to answer are:

•        What does a disciple of Jesus Christ look like?
•      What do we need to do to guide people along the path of discipleship? 

We know making disciples is about more than Bible studies and small groups. Tools for developing strong disciples include mentoring and coaching, and meeting people where they are.  Discipleship is about relationships, between each other and with Jesus Christ.

We celebrate the progress our church has made in the area of hospitality and the many things we do well, i.e. women’s and men’s groups, and know we have much more to do. We also celebrate Karen Wagg and her willingness to serve as the leader of this combined team. Her passion and commitment are contagious.

The team will establish specific goals and metrics to measure the effectiveness of our process.   September 1, 2016 is our “launch” date and we will have the framework in place before then.   In the short term, there will be small group studies available, life groups that are meeting and opportunities to mentor. 

Please keep this team in your prayers throughout the spring and summer.  

Karen Wagg Serves on the Vital Church Initiative Implementation Team

Karen Wagg, an active member of Brighton First, serves on the VCI Implementation Team. The team's purpose is to oversee the implementation of the prescriptions in the Vital Church Initiative by connecting with teams and task forces, offering encouragement, direction and accountability. The team works to make sure that the mission and vision of the church is at the heart of what Brighton First does.

Karen has also volunteered to be part of the Intentional Faith Development Team, a group that is currently developing a comprehensive plan for growing in relationship and faith through Brighton First.

Karen has been active in the United Methodist Church since she was a young girl.  Karen's path has taken her from a three-point charge in the Thumb of Michigan to Southern California and then to Brighton First in 2011.

A graduate of the University of Michigan's School of Education, Karen has over 30 years of classroom experience.  While living in the LA area, she taught first and second grade.  Since moving to Brighton, Hawkins Elementary has kept her busy as a guest teacher.

Karen and her husband Kevin, recently celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary.  They have two adult children, Jennifer and Zachary. An avid reader, Karen also enjoys knitting, crocheting, and scrapbooking.

Karen and Kevin attend the 11:00 worship service and frequently serve as ushers. As a member of Brighton First, Karen finds meaning in the personal connections she's made being part of the Prayers and Squares Quilting Ministry, Dorcas Circle, and Cross Roads classes.  That is why she is glad to be working with the VCI Implementation and Intentional Faith Development teams.  She has been excited about the possibilities of VCI since the program was introduced to the congregation. 

Karen looks forward to working with the other team members to create the best possible path to discipleship through intentional faith development.

Karen Wagg Serves on the Vital Church Initiative Implementation Team

Karen Wagg, an active member of Brighton First, serves on the VCI Implementation Team. The team's purpose is to oversee the implementation of the prescriptions in the Vital Church Initiative by connecting with teams and task forces, offering encouragement, direction and accountability. The team works to make sure that the mission and vision of the church is at the heart of what Brighton First does.

Karen has also volunteered to be part of the Intentional Faith Development Team, a group that is currently developing a comprehensive plan for growing in relationship and faith through Brighton First.

Karen has been active in the United Methodist Church since she was a young girl.  Karen's path has taken her from a three-point charge in the Thumb of Michigan to Southern California and then to Brighton First in 2011.

A graduate of the University of Michigan's School of Education, Karen has over 30 years of classroom experience.  While living in the LA area, she taught first and second grade.  Since moving to Brighton, Hawkins Elementary has kept her busy as a guest teacher.

Karen and her husband Kevin, recently celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary.  They have two adult children, Jennifer and Zachary. An avid reader, Karen also enjoys knitting, crocheting, and scrapbooking.

Karen and Kevin attend the 11:00 worship service and frequently serve as ushers. As a member of Brighton First, Karen finds meaning in the personal connections she's made being part of the Prayers and Squares Quilting Ministry, Dorcas Circle, and Cross Roads classes.  That is why she is glad to be working with the VCI Implementation and Intentional Faith Development teams.  She has been excited about the possibilities of VCI since the program was introduced to the congregation. 

Karen looks forward to working with the other team members to create the best possible path to discipleship through intentional faith development.