Discipleship

Our mission at Dunwoody United Methodist Church is to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Dunwoody and the world.

But what does it mean to be a disciple? What does discipleship look like? Here at Dunwoody UMC, we believe that disciples of Jesus BELONG, BEAR FRUIT, BUILD UP, BLESS, and BRIDGE. These five key building blocks form the foundations of our faith and help us grow into deeper relationship with God and with others.

Belong

Belong

"Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  (Luke 3:21-22)

Belonging is about more than joining a group or joining a church. It's about knowing that God created us, loves us, and calls us into community. At DUMC, disciples of Jesus Christ know they are children of God, and that others are as well. They know they BELONG and work to create belonging for others.

What does it mean to belong?

Bear Fruit

Bear Fruit

"[T]he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." (Galatians 5:22-23) 

A relationship with Jesus changes the way that disciples live, every day. At DUMC, we believe that following Jesus - through acts like prayer, presence, and service - will BEAR FRUIT in their lives, in their families, and in their communities.

Build Up

Build Up

"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Community is where we grow in faith and grow in relationship. When we participate in a small groups, studies, and missions, we learn more about ourselves and become more invested in others. At DUMC, we believe that disciples BUILD UP themselves and their neighbors by investing in life-changing community.

Bless

Bless

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:27-38)

At DUMC, we know that there are many ways to give of ourselves. We believe that disciples share financial gifts, time, and talents to make our communities better. By offering our time and talents for the benefit of others, we can model Christ’s love and BLESS our neighbors.

Bridge

Bridge

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

At DUMC, disciples witness to God's goodness through words and actions. We know that sharing meaningful experiences and stories from our faith creates a path for others to draw near to Christ. We build connections in our neighborhoods and hope that others will meet Christ through us, as we BRIDGE our journeys of faith with our everyday lives.