There will be pains and agony, as our church becomes global in nature and in reality. There will be a need for cultural pluralism. For our mediation, I shall reflect on these three aspects of the mandate. Evangelism is the conversion of sinners, the winning of souls and bodies for Christ. Discipleship is the process by which the convert grows and matures into the likeness of Christ.
Evangelism marks the beginning of the Christian life.
Discipleship is the process towards growth and maturity. The disciple is one who follows and obeys Jesus Christ. The convert may have a weak faith but the disciple has a faith rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ and the Word of God. The challenge before our United Methodist Church is to cultivate and maintain Christian maturity so that we will truly be disciples, for we cannot make disciples when we ourselves are not disciples. We cannot call others to obey the Holy Spirit when we ourselves do not have the patience.