The first of three regional weekend seminars to train congregational leaders for the next phase of the Intentional Discipleship programme in their churches takes place this weekend.
Some 35 members from the Montego Bay Region will meet from Friday May 4 to Sunday May 6 at the Hillcrest Diocesan Retreat Centre in Brown’s Town, St. Ann for the residential seminar which will be led by The Rev. Douglas Barnes, Director of Christian Education. He will be supported by Sister Molly Walton, Head of the Church Army.
Rev. Barnes explains that: “Our aim is to help participants to better appreciate their identity and role as disciples; impart basic skills that they can use to develop discipling relationships; train members in their congregation and cure; and, in turn, design an action plan for the roll-out of Intentional Discipleship initiatives in their community.”
Among issues to be addressed in the interactive seminar sessions are the relationship between spirituality and discipleship; the connection with the Five Marks of Mission; the responsibility of individual members in the home, school and as god-parents; as well as the role of the congregation in the community. Group work will involve role play to highlight approaches to Intentional Discipleship; and the development of a draft action plan.
The second seminar will be held at Camp Auchtembeddie, Manchester, from May 11-13 for the Mandeville Region. The series will close with a session for the Kingston Region at the St. Thomas Aquinas Archdiocesan Retreat Centre in Papine, St. Andrew from June 15-17. Registration for this last seminar closes on May 31; and accommodation is available for up to three persons from each congregation or cure.
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