Our Mission
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Our Vision
We worship God and grow faithful followers of Jesus Christ who serve as He did to reach our community and the world.
Our Commitment to Intentional Discipleship
To fulfill our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ, we commit to developing and sustaining an intentional pathway of discipleship for those who participate in OUMC.
While everyone is welcome to participate in the life of the church at the level of his/her choice, we invite all to join fully in the whole pathway of discipleship.
Why is participation in this pathway so significant?
We believe engagement in this pathway is vital because it is a key channel through which God works in our lives so that:
- We become all God has created us to be
- We fulfill our God-given purpose and contribute to transforming our world
- We experience the love, joy and peace God has planned for us and share what we have received with others
- We are able to live life abundantly here and now
Lifestyle of a Disciple
Discipleship Covenant
A DISCIPLE is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ who intentionally strives toward a lifestyle that shows love for God through Worship; Grows deep relationships with Jesus and others; Serves God and others humbly; and Reaches out with love to inspire others to follow Jesus.
Area of Ministry
Exercises of a Disciple
OUMC's Commitment
Area of Ministry
Exercises of a Disciple
- Engage in community worship.
- Engage in prayer and reflection.
OUMC's Commitment
- Engage people with the Living God through relevant and biblical worship.
- Equip people in the practice of prayer and reflection.
Area of Ministry
Exercises of a Disciple
- Participate in a small group.
- Participate in personal study and reflection of Scripture.
OUMC's Commitment
- Cultivate diverse opportunities for connecting in small groups.
- Provide opportunities for personal study and reflection of Scripture for people in all faith stages.
- Identify, train, and support leaders.
- Assist people with resources for spiritual growth.
Area of Ministry
Exercises of a Disciple
- Offer your time, talents, and spiritual gifts in service.
- Offer your financial resources to God and others.
OUMC's Commitment
- Guide and support people as they engage in service.
- Provide a comprehensive list and description of service opportunities.
- Help people to use their resources wisely.
Area of Ministry
Exercises of a Disciple
- Build relationships with people by inviting and welcoming them into your life and the life of the church.
- Build community through intentional acts of kindness.
OUMC's Commitment
- Foster and model an invitational culture in all areas of life.
- Assist people in sharing their faith story.
- Create a culture of outreach—local, domestic, and international— to meet the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of people.
Membership Covenant
As a Confessing Member of Ooltewah United Methodist Church, I commit to engage in a life of discipleship through the following exercises:
- Engage in community worship 2-4 times each month
- Engage in daily prayer and reflection
- Actively participate in a small group
- Consistently participate in personal study and reflection of scripture
- Offer my time, talents and spiritual gifts in service by being involved in at least one ministry in the church
- Offer my financial resources to God and others with reaching a tithe being my goal
- Build relationships with people by inviting and welcoming them into your life and the life of the church
- Build community through intentional acts of kindness
With God’s help, I will seek to develop and practice these exercises.
- Why is personal study of scripture important to your growth in Christ?
- How often do you read the Bible?
- Describe your routine of reading scripture.
- What do you find most challenging/rewarding when you read scripture?
- What resources do you use?
Giving
- Why is giving so important to our spiritual development?
- What does it mean to be generous?
- Why do you believe tithing is set as a standard of giving in scripture?
- See 2 Corinthians 9:6; Deuteronomy 16:17