The mission of The United Methodist Church is to: “Make disciples for the transformation of the world.”  How does a church help to “make a disciple?”

Two churches in the Dakotas Conference—Watertown Cornerstone and Montrose are equipping disciples in both intended and unintended ways. 

Watertown Cornerstone recently held a 3DM workshop aimed at creating getting a taste of what the culture of discipleship looks like—where it is the norm to grow in the character and competency of Jesus and to reproduce your life in others. The 3DM model speaks about the three dimensional life-rhythm of Jesus: Up in Worship/Prayer; In into community; and Out on mission.

People are encouraged to begin a simple progression of discipleship that helps them become an individual on mission, to a family on mission; and onto families on mission together.  Small groups (3-8 people) are used for intentional leadership development and missional communities (12-50 people) provide a small-church feel that help people live the Up/In/Out life-rhythm together.  

The bottom right of the triangle is the In, symbolizing our efforts to go deeper in our personal relationship with God. The In is lived out in small discipleship huddles, where you can know and be known deeply. These groups provide accountability. No one leads a huddle or a missional community without being disciples in a huddle themselves. This structure allows for the low control model to flourish. Huddles are the place of deepest transparency and vulnerability, where you experience discipleship life-on-life. Here each of us is invited into a loving relationship, and challenged to share what God is saying to us, and being held accountable to do something about it.

Luke Smith serves as the discipleship pastor at Cornerstone.  He knows they have begun a difficult journey but is excited to see changes that future that Cornerstone can begin to see. “I spend most of my time supporting the leaders of huddles and shaping the missional community of Cornerstone,” said Smith.

“We have been involved in the 3DM process for three years. In many ways we are still in the beginning,” said Smith. “We are beginning to see the dynamics and dimensions of discipleship change.”

Montrose UMC has taken a leap of faith, left a yoked relationship with Salem and financed a pastor.  The move has caused an increase in attendance but also in connections.  The church is seeing more people involved, caring for each other. The efforts have led to an unintended effort to make disciples.

“It is great to be here full-time and to be able to not only plan worship but to become part of people’s lives, caring for them,” said Rev. Nancy Manning, Montrose UMC.  “I am able to reach out to people and provide connections in ways I was not able to when I had two churches.”

Members of the congregation see the move as something that has enhanced their spirituality. “The church is what life is all about for me. The leap of faith we took to fund the pastor to be here full-time has made such a difference in who we are.  People see each other, there is more fellowship and caring,” said Paul Hentges, member at Montrose UMC. Photo: Paul Hentges, Montrose UMC

Montrose UMC members enjoy not only the presence of a full-time pastor but also the ability of the church to connect to the community and to each other. There is someone that is out in the community meeting and greeting members of the church as well as the community.

“Pastor Nancy is so appreciated in our community.  She visits with everyone. She helps us make connections to people all throughout the community. Our members are feeling a difference spiritually,” said Connie Smith, member at Montrose UMC. Photo: Connie Smith, Montrose UMC

Montrose hopes to continue efforts in connecting and caring in the future.  Contact Rev. Nancy Manning to learn more about what is happening at Montrose by e-mail  or phone 605-363-5004.  Watertown Cornerstone intends to increase discipleship through the 3DM model. Contact Rev. Luke Smith by e-mail or phone 605-886-2242 for the details of 3DM and discipleship at Watertown Cornerstone UMC.