Page 4 - 2017 First UMC Cary Annual Report

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
We are being very intentional to build a discipling culture for all ages that deepens relationships with God and one another in service to the world. In all areas of ministry, we work for discipleship that invites, challenges, transforms, and produces fruit for the sake of the Gospel.
To build a discipling culture and mature us “in Christ,” we took steps this year to grow
the small group ministry as well as to incorporate our newer members of all ages into the life of Christ and the Church. We also worked to support and strengthen the small groups that have helped sustained ministry for many years. We also laid groundwork to develop more small groups in the form of neighborhood and community groups. These types of small groups provide more entry points into the church, are missional in their character and nature, and are very familiar to us in our Wesleyan-Methodist tradition. Naturally, our goal for all small groups is to follow the way Jesus gathered, apprenticed, and multiplied groups of disciples.
First UMC Cary o ers many di erent types of Small Groups that meet at di erent times and days to maximize the possibility of our participation (over 60). These groups are a great way to meet new friends and neighbors and to be there for one another in times of celebration as well as in seasons of di culty and challenge.
“Our community group has become an extended family
for Kristen, me, and our two boys. Every other week we are surrounded by friends, mentors, role models, and friends who have laughed, cried and celebrated with us, sometimes all in the same night. These new friends are living, breathing examples of what it looks like to follow Christ today.”
— Shawn Maier
LEARN MORE AND GET CONNECTED WITH A SMALL GROUP. Contact Reverend Martha McLean, Pastor of Christian Formation: mmclean@ rstcary.com.
2 Annual Report 2017