Online Archives

New framework sparks enthusiasm, ministry

BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF

In some ways the Discipleship Adventure snuck up on the two churches of Susquehanna Charge in Havre de Grace.

Hopewell UMC and Wesleyan Chapel UMC make genuine efforts to live out the Gospel, said their pastor the Rev. Timothy Dowell. But it was a surprise when the congregations prepared a PowerPoint presentation for their charge conference report last fall and discovered they offered ministries that address each element of the Adventure: celebration, connection, development, service and faith-sharing.

'We weren?t doing it intentionally, but it all fit when we viewed what we did within the Discipleship Adventure framework,' Dowell said.

'That?s what I love about the Discipleship Adventure, it?s not about doing stuff,' Dowell continued. 'It?s about getting people to go deeper in their relationships with God.'

This emphasis on spiritual growth was evident in PowerPoint slides that featured, among many other ministries, the churches? new praise service on Sunday evening, a new 'In-Betweeners' fellowship group for young adults, a variety of Sunday School classes, the sanctuary coated in homemade blankets for Project Linus, and the living nativity that brought the Christmas story to life for the community.

Dowell, who his congregations report will drive golf balls from the chancel area, stand on his head during a sermon, and preach in beach attire to stress the importance of living their faith, is now taking the Adventure into a new age.

Wesleyan Chapel, begun in 1826, is among the Baltimore-Washington Conference?s oldest churches. (Hopewell was chartered 40 years later in 1866.) Its members met in class meetings almost 200 year ago.

Dowell treasures the means of grace that draw people to God that were used in those early class meetings and he sometimes finds himself wishing for the spiritual accountability of a covenant group. 'But trying to get 250 people?s schedules in harmony today,' is impossible, he said.

And so, Dowell has moved the class meeting onto the Internet and into a Google chatroom.

In a sense it?s what Wesley would have done, but instead of a horse, we?re using a hard drive, he said.

The class started with eight members. Each one covenants to read an assigned Scripture passage each day. Dowell provides some reflection and the group shares their impressions, prayer concerns and general answers to the age-old Methodist question 'how is it with your soul.'

One participant is Janice Hash of Wesleyan Chapel. At 68, Hash learned about the computers, e-mail and the Internet to do her church?s communication ministries.

Her enthusiasm doesn?t surprise Dowell. When evaluating churches, many people tend to look at the big picture, but he gets excited by the 'little stuff.'

Whether it?s mastering e-mail or performing one song in worship, he looks for the moments when God is at work in people?s lives.

For example, Dowell said, some people have been disappointed with the size of our new praise service, which is drawing fewer than 30 people on Sunday evenings. However, for the young people in the band, this is an unprecedented opportunity to grow. 'This will be formative in their journey.'

Like much of the region around Baltimore, both Hopewell and Wesleyan Chapel are in communities in transition. Tensions abound as the region moves from a farming to a bedroom community.

'It?s a struggle we face every day,' Dowell said. 'Folks resist change but we are a people of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.'

Both Dowell and his congregations are now increasingly intentional about making disciples. 'It is a calling,' he said. 'Although sometimes it can feel like you?re called to walk on water and your knees are getting wet. But you keep walking.'

'I believe anything we are trying to do that is outside of what God wants us to do will be drowned in mediocrity,' said Dowell. 'When you?re in a faith relationship with God, you?re on the Adventure, whether you like it or not.'

If you would like to participate in, or learn more about the online class meeting, visit www.wesleyanchapelmd.org or e-mail the Rev. Tim Dowell at