Discipleship is our mission Posted on July 15, 2025
Faith formation leaders within the Michigan Conference gather for an in-person retreat at Eaton Rapids: First UMC. Faith leaders say they find tremendous value in mutual peer support, sharing struggles, and learning new tools and approaches to face new challenges in ministry. ~ photo courtesy Kathy Pittenger
Christian Education Sunday, set for August 17, emphasizes the importance of faith formation and the UMC’s disciple-making mission.
GLENN M. WAGNER
Michigan Conference Communications
The mission statement of The United Methodist Church brings focus to its main priority: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” And the local church is one significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.
A disciple is a learner who chooses to align with the lessons from a particular teacher. Christian disciples choose to follow Jesus and his teachings. Christian education, also known as Christian faith formation, is a life-shaping priority for disciples of Jesus that aligns with the world-transforming mission of The United Methodist Church.
People who devote themselves to learning and applying the teachings of Jesus can have a positive influence on others. Jesus’ priorities of love, forgiveness, compassion, and hope nurture life through his many disciples.
Early Methodist followers of Jesus were encouraged by John Wesley to gather in weekly class meetings. These small groups met for prayer, Bible study, doing good works, and mutual support in methodically ordering life so that all aspects of living glorified God.
Each year, The United Methodist Church sets aside a day to highlight the priority of Christian education and the disciple-making mission of the church.
Christian Education Sunday in the Michigan Conference will be held on August 17, 2025, though congregations may also choose to observe it at another time such as the beginning of school and fall programming in the church. Learn more about this offering and download two printable flyers to promote Christian Education Sunday in your local church.
Scan this QR code with your device’s camera to access the secure giving page.
A Christian Education Sunday offering is also received to support this priority. Take up an offering in your church and send a check made payable to “Michigan Conference” to Conference Ministry Shares, P.O. Box 72472, Cleveland, OH 44192-0002. Please note “Christian Education Sunday offering in the memo line. If you want to give a direct contribution using a credit or debit card, use this secure link or make a donation using your device’s camera to scan this QR code.
Part of this year’s offering will be used to support the Rooted: Reconnect conference being hosted for Christian educators and persons interested in faith formation ministries. The day-long event on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, will be hosted by University United Methodist Church, 1120 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, Michigan 48823. Fill out this simple interest form to receive the registration link when it becomes available.
According to Rev. Kathy Pittenger, Associate Director for Connectional Ministries for the Michigan Conference, in 2024 the Christian Education offering from Michigan United Methodist Churches totaled more than $7,000 and has been used to assist the camping ministry of Grace Outside (Michigan Area United Methodist Camping). The offering also supports faith formation across the Michigan Conference, including the vital ministry of cohorts. These groups of Christian educators from across Michigan meet regularly online to share in book studies, education, and mutual support. Explore the cohort offerings scheduled for fall 2025.
The photo is of a recent women’s retreat at Lake Huron Retreat Center. Retreats allow for greater relationship building and learning on a topic (in this case, Embodied Spirituality). Small groups are also fertile ground for growing disciples through learning and sharing lives. ~ photo courtesy Brighton: First UMC
One of the cohort participants this year, Dokoda Holt-Sharp, serves as the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries at the United Methodist Church of Ludington. He took part in an online cohort learning group this past year at the recommendation of Ludington’s pastor, Rev. Hillary Thurston-Cox, and quickly grew to value the monthly hour spent interacting with a small group of other United Methodist Christian leaders from around Michigan who meet for sharing and learning new skills. Participation in this faith cohort has helped Dokoda better manage his ministry challenges. He is enthusiastic about continuing this cohort learning group in the future.
When asked about who inspired him to pursue ministry in Christian education, Holt-Sharp credits the inspirational mentoring he received growing up from his late great-grandfather, Aubrey Holt. Aubrey was a faithful member of Bronson: First UMC, near Coldwater, Michigan. He modeled grace and practiced forgiveness. He worked hard, embodied happiness, and lived with contentment. He studied his Bible, supported the church with his gifts and presence, and trusted in Jesus. Dokoda wants to pass his faith in Christ along to others as he has received it from someone who has positively shaped his life. He credits his faith cohort group with providing him with valued spiritual help for his service to others.
Another enthusiastic participant in the cohort ministry is Erica Kozlowki, Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Traverse City: Central UMC. Kozlowski recalls that quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted church leaders to devise safe methods for gathering for education and ministry. That’s when meeting online for ministry and learning began. This method of gathering has proven very helpful in supporting Christian teachers and leaders across Michigan with resources and community support for their ministries.
This photo is of participants at Traverse City: Central UMC’s popular Halloween Trunk or Treat ministry last year. ~ photo courtesy Erica Kozlowski
Kozlowski is part of a cohort that includes children and youth ministry leaders from across Michigan who meet online monthly for 90-minute sessions during the school year. A small annual fee, based on a sliding scale, helps the group cover its costs. The cohort benefits from guest speakers, occasional book studies, and sharing ideas and experiences.
Brighton: First UMC recently shared a good summary of the vital work of faith formation happening at their church on the Michigan Conference Children’s Ministry Facebook group: “We recently created a holistic Discipleship Pathway booklet that encompasses touchpoints for people whether they are ‘exploring’ or ‘growing’ or ‘leading’ in faith. Through this inclusive language, people are invited to see where they are and what ‘next steps’ might look like in worship, learning, prayer, service, inviting others, giving, and belonging (fellowship).”
The list is long of family, pastors, teachers, peers, and mentors whose encouragement and example guide us in our respective faith journeys. Just as musicians, after years of practice, can inspire audiences with artistic excellence, so too can followers of Jesus encourage others to grow as Christian disciples by following their example of faithful living. It is a good thing to engage in and support faith formation through Christian education.
Last Updated on July 16, 2025