A NOTE FROM PATTY

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ (pastor’s column)

Saturday, January 12 was a very significant day in the life of TUMC. Why? That was the day of the leadership retreat involving 25 people from our church: Church Council members, adult Sunday school teachers/leaders, SEED group leaders, and children/youth ministry leaders. But why was it significant? Several reasons:

1. We held the retreat at Eagle Mountain Church , the former location of TUMC! It was good to return to the place where we had made a decision a number of years earlier to relocate, and to articulate the missional reason that drove the decision – to be better equipped with the space we need to reach out to the people of Tuscola with the love of Jesus Christ.

2. We were able to affirm, together, that we understand that our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We spent time in Bible study and reading from The Discipline (the “rule book” of the UMC), and realizing that making disciples is really what we’re all about. It was very exciting to hear the group collectively say this!

3. We began to put some shape around our vision, as we thought together about what we (TUMC) would look like five years in the future if we become really, really serious about making disciples. The thoughts of the 25 persons gathered together were exciting, and as we continue to dream, pray, and discern, that vision will become even more focused, helping us to be clear about where we’re going as we make disciples.

In February worship, we’re going to hear about what it means for us to be “Jesus’ heroes” in his kingdom, as we receive, embrace, and live into his heroic mission and vision for us. Sunday school classes, SEED groups, and children/youth ministries will be thinking about how we make disciples – how we help form people in discipleship to grow deeper in love of God and neighbor.

This is an exciting time for us, as we work together to live into God’s preferred future for us! Besides worship, there’s a place for you to help us with that! Check out the opportunities elsewhere in the newsletter. Please keep praying for our church – we’re going forward to make disciples!

Rev. Patty Johansen, Pastor

Tuscola United Methodist Church

901 N. Prairie

Tuscola, IL 61953

217.253.4232

Co-author, Charting the Course