Lake Edge United Church of Christ

All Lake Edgers are encouraged to read the book Real Faith for Real Life by Michael W. Foss, introducing the Six Marks of Discipleship. Disciple just means to be a active follower of Christ, someone who takes their faith beyond Sunday mornings. The book focuses on the joys of discipleship and practical ways to develop spiritual habits.

The Six Marks of Discipleship are:

Worship -- commitment to regular, heartfelt worship

Daily Prayer -- creative suggestions for different approaches to meaningful prayer

Scripture Reading

Spiritual Friends -- the call to nurture relationships where we can encourage and challenge each other on our spiritual journey

Giving -- tithing and how it can be a joy

Service -- how we are each called to use our gifts to minister to others

The book is radical -- not because listing the six marks is so ingenious, but because it challenges us to actually live them, and to expect each other to live them as members of the community of faith. Yet the foundation for this expectation has long been a part of the Lake Edge vision for itself as a faith community, as reflected in this quote from the Lake Edge vision statement:

"As persons borne by a community of faith, we depend on the Holy Spirit and one another for encouragement in meeting rising expectations for knowledge of our faith and Christian commitment."

The Identity and Evangelism Team challenges individuals within the Lake Edge community to live out that vision through their personal commitments to Worship, Grow and Serve. There are many "right" spiritual practices that work for different people; the Six Marks is just one possible approach. One way you might focus on spiritual growth over the next year or so might be to try to live out the Six Marks of Discipleship, or to choose one or two marks to focus on deepening or adding to your spiritual life.