Everyday Discipleship

Many of us imagine spiritual life as a hierarchy, with ordinary folks at the bottom, trying their best to get to church on time – and elites like the truly pious, the real saints, maybe some monks and nuns, etc. at the top. We think of and compare our spiritual lives like we do with our fitness and the fitness of athletes: I’m at the bottom of the athletic pyramid, huffing and puffing through the run that is mostly a walk, and the true athletes are at the top, receiving the medals, clergy collars, or spiritual book deals.

But Jesus invites us into a life of following him in our everyday lives. You don’t have to quit your day job to be a Christian. He is not only present in the pews, but as you wait (impatiently) in line to pay for your groceries, as you take notes in class or a meeting, as you wipe the drool off your baby’s chin, and as you fall asleep on your couch once the dishes are done (or not)!

It’s kind of like the Nike slogan, which reminds us, “If you have a body, you are an athlete.” Spiritual life is for everyone, not just elite athletes. And because spiritual life is for everyone, spiritual practices are for everyone, too. This is part of using our bodies, minds, and hearts to grow stronger as Christians. That’s why I like using the term “spiritual practices” over “spiritual disciplines” or other terms. Practices imply this is something we all need to practice, to rehearse, grow into, work on, etc., but also something from which we never graduate. Even elite athletes or musicians continue to do the basic stretches and the simple scales. We remain intentional in our practices, setting aside time and energy, relying on the basics, and growing in our spiritual muscles. These can be simple habits that form the backbone of your week, like prayer and reading Scripture, worship and service, rest and silence. Some of these are things you do solo, and others require community. All of them require practice.

This brings us to our discipleship pathway. You might have wondered how to take the next step in your faith. The discipleship pathway gives a rough sketch of what that might look like here at St. John the Divine. You’ll notice that the path is somewhat meandering. You might also notice that your story does not neatly map onto the discipleship pathway. Of course not! We could not fit all the details of each Christian’s personal spiritual development. But we wanted to provide you with a rough outline of what it means to gather, grow, and go as Christian disciples here in the city of Houston and at this church.

Maybe this means taking a class at the church on Sunday mornings, like the Foundations class. We want this class to help you grow as a Christian, first and foremost. For us to do that, we want to orient you to how the spiritual life of this community of St. John the Divine might help you grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. That’s why we talk through Baptism and the celebration of the Eucharist —   foundational practices of Christian life. That’s also why we plan to introduce you to some of the people here who have been faithfully stewarding God’s call on their lives through worship, community, and service. They are ordinary folks who are practicing being Christians. Whether you are new or hoping to go a little deeper in your faith, we are hoping that the Foundations class will help act as a map of where to head next and connect you with other people who are heading in the same direction.

Because in the end, our spiritual lives are like going on a hike with Jesus – not a sprint, not a marathon, but more like a hike. And you are not alone on this hike with Jesus – the rest of the church is there with you, navigating the smooth stretches and the bumpy twists and turns together. Jesus walks with us, pointing out the beauty of His world all around us, holding out His hand to help you through the rough patches, and inviting us to take the next step. And the next. And the next.
As you continue your discipleship journey, we hold you in prayer, praying like Paul did for the Ephesians:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 
(Ephesians 3:14-20)

Discipleship is not a linear path but a life-long journey of living more and more like Jesus. The discipleship pathway can be a handy guide to help you discover your next step. Turn to the next page and find your next step on the discipleship pathway! 

Discipleship Pathway