Forward Today: What is discipleship, anyway?

book on top of table and body of water
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Dear friends in Christ,

Forward Movement’s mission is “Inspire disciples. Empower evangelists.” And more and more Episcopalians are talking about discipleship these days. You might well wonder what a disciple is. And that might lead one to wonder what discipleship is.

Simply put, a disciple is a follower of Jesus. The word in Greek comes close to meaning “a learner.” But this isn’t just about being a good student and getting all the facts right, though there’s never harm in getting the facts right!

Disciples pattern their life after Jesus. To put it in the language of our prayer book, a disciple seeks to grow more fully into the stature of Christ.

That means we who are disciples look to Jesus so that we can learn to believe what he taught. It means we seek to orient our lives toward love, just as he did. It means we look beyond our own interests toward God’s will for us, just as Jesus did. It means we are quick to offer sacrificial love, just as he was.

So are we treating Jesus as merely a moral teacher, someone who dispensed bits of wisdom that we try to learn? He was a moral teacher, of course. And he was more. Being disciples means that we pattern our lives after Jesus. Being a disciple means that we are faithful in our worship, just like Jesus. Being a disciple means that we rest and pray, just as Jesus did. Being a disciple means that we fearlessly speak the truth in love, always.

How can anyone do this?! It all sounds impossible. And it would be if it were up to us alone. But we have the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, to guide us. And we know that Jesus himself sits at his Father’s right hand, loving us and advocating for us.

Discipleship is teaching and practicing the ways of a disciple. Discipleship involves a set of behaviors and beliefs, some of which we intellectually learn and actually practice. Others are given to us by God, often as gifts of the Spirit.

When I am Christ-centered, I am more faithful, more patient, more gentle, more loving, and so on. I hope you have a rich journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ who makes more disciples.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn's signature

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

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Immerse yourself in the words of Jesus: A Journey with Mark Bible Challenge

In case you missed it: Q&A with cover artist Roger Hutchison

The Prayer Book as manual for a spiritual life: Inwardly Digest

Pre-order your Advent devotional today: Show Me Your Ways, O Lord

Artist Q&A: Roger Hutchison

A white man with grey hair and a close-cropped grey beard, wearing a black T-shirt, holds a paintbrush above a canvas painted with abstract blue-green patterns.Roger Hutchison is the author and illustrator of ten books for children and adults, including The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercises for the Anxious Soul and the bestselling Sparrow’s Prayer. Roger is known for his compassionate work with children affected by tragedy and for his openness about his journey with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. His writing, art, and photography aim to bring healing and hope to a world in need. Roger also serves as the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, TX.

Starting in February 2025, Roger’s artwork will be featured on four issue covers of Forward Day by Day. Learn more about Roger and his art in this Q&A.

What is your background in art?
I have a background in art, primarily self-taught, but three of my favorite art teachers are the late Tommie Shelby from Oxford, MS, Billy Gingles from Shreveport, LA, and Terri Godfrey from Black Mountain, NC. These incredible educators saw my potential, encouraged me, and introduced me to a whole new language. In addition to my teachers, liturgical art, stained glass windows, and the poetry of writers like Mary Oliver, Naomi Shihab-Nye, and Padraig Ó Tuama inspire and influence my work.

Tell us about your experience with Forward Day by Day.
Growing up as a “PK” (priest’s kid), one of my earliest memories of the Church dates back to when I was about 12 years old and exploring the Episcopal Church where my dad served. I distinctly remember being intrigued by the piles of Forward Day by Day and the dedication of the readers. Even at that young age, I found myself drawn to both the cover art and the diversity of the interior words—dreaming of one day being the artist invited to create the cover art for those booklets.

What was your inspiration for these images?
When it comes to my art, I draw inspiration from storytelling using words, color, texture, and emotion. The creative process is a form of prayer; painting, in particular, is a way of expressing that prayer. While there are familiar images associated with the church year, I wanted to challenge myself to go beyond the familiar and delve deeper into stories to make them relevant today. I hope my images reflect this and speak to those who see them.

In addition to your artwork, you’re also a writer who has published several books. How does the creative process differ for you between writing and art?
When I write, I see the process as similar to painting, but I use words instead of Cobalt Blue or Cadmium Red. Writing is prayer, and it’s a way for me to express these prayers. I write for both children and adults, and I enjoy both, but I find the most joy in the challenges of writing picture books for children. Every word matters in this form of writing, and curating the words is challenging and freeing.

How does art work as a spiritual practice for you?
Creating art is a profoundly spiritual practice for me. It’s a way to connect with my inner thoughts, emotions, and the divine on a profound level. I feel a sense of peace and transcendence when creating as if I’m tapping into something greater than myself. Making art allows me to explore my spirituality and serves as a form of meditation that brings me closer to understanding mystery. As I grow older, I strive to make room for more mystery.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
In the deepest recesses of my soul, I know that everyone is an artist. I am inspired to encourage others to embrace the process of creating art rather than focusing solely on the final product. The process itself is sacred, valuable, and good. It is accessible to all, especially if we approach it with an open heart and mind. God created us to create.

Forward Day by Day is available in pocket-sized and large print editions, and is also offered in Spanish (Adelante Dìa a Dìa). Visit Forward Movement’s website to subscribe to Forward Day by Day.

Forward Today: Are you ready?

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A small church, with red shingles covering its walls and a small white cross atop its a-frame roof, against a backdrop of evergreen trees.
Photo by Jim Witkowski on Unsplash

Dear friends in Christ,

In the midst of a warm, muggy summer, it might seem odd to be thinking of autumn. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking on my part. But I’m already leaping ahead to September.

In the old days, that is, just before the pandemic, autumn was a common time for seekers to go looking for churches. Lots of guests would arrive on Sunday mornings in September, people looking for a church home. We don’t have enough post-pandemic years under our belts to know if there’s a new pattern, but I suspect we’ll still see an influx of guests in our churches this fall.

Are you ready? While an Episcopal Church Welcomes You sign is a good start, a warm welcome requires warm greeters. A hospitable church will look at its signage to make sure it’s clear which door to enter, how to find the worship space, and where to use the restroom. Children will be welcomed with kid-friendly materials and perhaps a comfy space to worship alongside their grownup siblings in Christ.

Summer is a good time to look at our churches through guests’ eyes. Ever better, invite a friend who’s never been to your church to come and look around—and tell you what they see.

Jesus taught that welcoming strangers is really important. That’s especially true in our churches, where we have the opportunity to offer the blessing of hospitality to people who may be going through lots of transition.

Forward Movement offers Invite Welcome Connect with a list of ideas, but most of what we need to do only requires common sense and intentionality. The warm days of summer are the perfect time to prepare for the cool days of autumn. Now is the time for us to be ready to welcome the next seeker, to offer them the hospitality that Jesus wants us to share.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn's signature

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

More from our ministry:

Introduce newcomers to our prayer book tradition: Inwardly Digest

Brush up on Episcopal basics: Walk in Love

Welcome new Episcopalians with a beautiful BCP Gift Edition

Sign up today for our Renewing Discipleship conference in September

Forward Movement calls for A Season of Prayer: For an Election

A white banner image with stars and the heading A Season of Prayer for an Election

For the third US Presidential election in a row, Forward Movement calls on Episcopalians and all others to join in A Season of Prayer: For an Election. This year’s prayer novena—nine days of devotional prayers—calls upon God for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation.

 

Each day’s prayer comes from The Book of Common Prayer and will be shared on Forward Movement’s Facebook and Instagram channels, in both English and Spanish.

 

There are also downloadable bulletin inserts available in English and Spanish for churches and small groups (files are letter size, and meant to be folded in half).

 

The novena begins on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and continues through the day after the election (Wednesday, November 6).

 

“Sometimes people draw a distinction between prayer and action,” said the Rev. Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement. “I am here to tell you that prayer is action. Prayer changes hearts and lives. Prayer may result in changes that are scarcely imaginable. Prayer may prompt us to engage in other actions. Above all, prayer helps us attend to our relationship with Almighty God, and this reminds us of who we are.”

 

Join Forward Movement on Facebook and Instagram to follow each day’s prayer and to share within your own network.

 

Download the bulletin inserts here, in English and Spanish.

 

Please encourage your congregation and your friends to get involved.

 

About Forward Movement

Inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists around the globe every day, Forward Movement has been producing innovative resources to encourage spiritual growth in individuals and congregations for more than eighty years. Best known for the daily devotional Forward Day by Day, Forward Movement also produces books, smart phone apps, pamphlets, conferences, online courses, church leadership resources, and more. Visit www.forwardmovement.org to learn more.

 

Forward Today: Clinging to the rock of our salvation

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A large, dark gray slab of rock in the foreground, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. A wave crashes on the slab of rock, spraying white foam in the air.
Photo by Caio Arbulu on Unsplash

Dear friends in Christ,

Nearly every day, reading the news brings disappointment, anger, or worry. Whatever our political persuasion, I think we can agree that we wish our political situation were transformed. It would be easy to be consumed by the worries of the world.

Lately I’ve been profoundly grateful for the Psalter. Reading the psalms does not make the problems of the world vanish, but the Psalter does give me hope. The psalms remind me that my hope is in God, not in earthly things. Psalm 62 begins:

For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.

Our salvation comes not from earthly rulers or shiny things, but from God’s eternal love for us and for the whole creation.

My point today is not to minimize the sorrow and injustice of the world. Rather, my hope is that we will be strengthened by our trust in the rock of our salvation so that we may dwell in God’s presence. And from there, perhaps we will be emboldened to confront injustice and to offer consolation to the sorrowful.

Chasing the news cycle alone is a surefire path to despair. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t stay informed! But when my first focus is on my daily prayer practice, I can take in the news and balance it alongside the Good News of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.

A good practice is to spend as much time with the Psalter as we spend in the news. Then we can rest in God’s strength, the God who loves us so very much. And our God equips us to be bearers of grace and mercy in the world.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn's signature

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

More from our ministry:

Lament and pray with the Spirituals: Face to the Rising Sun

A simple prayer practice that renews each day: Forward Day by Day

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Sign up today: Renewing Discipleship conference, September 24-26

Forward Today: Joining the work of prayer

Several Forward Movement staff members sitting in a circle of chairs in a small chapel.
Morning Prayer at the Forward Movement staff retreat

We welcome back Margaret Ellsworth, Forward Movement’s Marketing Coordinator, as our guest author this week.

Dear friends in Christ,

I’m writing you this message from the Forward Movement offices in downtown Cincinnati. Which probably sounds like the most normal thing in the world to you – but for me, it’s a novelty and a blessing. Usually I do my work for Forward Movement from my home office in Boise, Idaho. But this week (or last week, as you’re reading this), I got to join my colleagues in-person for a Forward Movement staff retreat.

We dreamed about what Forward Movement might look like in ten years, living out our mission and thriving in new ways. We got to know our colleagues as people, not just folks in the next cubicle or faces in a Zoom window. We brainstormed and we laughed and we prayed.

Something I noticed here in Cincinnati, for this rare moment when we were all gathered together in one place, is how everyone here at Forward Movement knows prayer to be part of their work. Not just helping our readers to pray. But praying for our readers, for each other, and for Jesus’ presence among us, all along the way.

Every member of this team – editors and fundraisers, email experts and data-gatherers, folks who ship the books and answer the phones – is holding you up in prayer, on a regular basis. Today I ask you if you’ll pray for us as well. As we dream about Forward Movement’s next projects and how we can support you in your discipleship and ministry, keep us in your prayers. And thank you for being part of this community.

Yours faithfully,

Margaret Ellsworth
Marketing Coordinator

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Pray with us every day: prayer.forwardmovement.org

Forward Today: Renewing prayer

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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Dear friends in Christ,

I’ve just come back from leading a prayer retreat. Forward Movement offered this time to folks as a pilot event as we consider offering spiritual practice retreats. But this wasn’t just a test: the time together with real people doing real prayer led to real results.

Over three days, we spent time in conversation and prayer. We practiced several kinds of prayer, and there was plenty of time for quiet and reflection along with group time. I was inspired hearing people share their prayer practices and the impact of a life of prayer. God really is amazing.

As I reflect on our time, several things stand out. One is that every person’s journey is different, and it’s not uncommon to have a “dry spell” in which one feels less connected to God. Over the course of our lives, our prayer practices will almost surely need to change with us.

Even a seasoned person can learn new ways to pray, and I think most folks at the retreat were stretched in some way or found some new accent in their practice. In other words, we all do well to stay attentive as God calls us into new practices.

If you have not yet developed a daily prayer rhythm, it’s not too late! Forward Movement offers several resources to help you discover or new a daily habit of prayer. Rhonda Lee’s excellent book, Seek And You Will Find, offers a guided introduction to several ways to pray. Our prayer website offers the Daily Office and Forward Day by Day, and that same content is available as a free app. We have podcasts. And plenty more!

Do you feel like you could go deeper in prayer? You probably can. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a wise spiritual friend or to your priest. Or reach out to us at Forward Movement. Prayer changes the world, one life at a time.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn's signature

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

More from our ministry:

Take prayer with you in your pocket: Prayers for All Occasions

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The Prayer Book as training for a spiritual life: Inwardly Digest

Get ready to start the new quarter: Subscribe to Forward Day by Day

Forward Today: Changing church for a changing world

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Evening session in the House of Deputies. Photo: Scott Gunn

Dear friends in Christ,

If you follow news of the Episcopal Church, you will know that leaders from across the church gathered recently in Louisville, KY for our triennial General Convention. Just about 1,000 lay leaders, deacons, priests, and bishops from 16+ nations spent a little over a week deliberating matters important for our common life as Episcopalians.

We also worshiped together and enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones in fellowship time. There was much joy.

For the first time, I was dreading General Convention before I went. I was worried that the bitter and angry discourse of our wider cultures would permeate our conversations. But I am pleased and inspired to report that, though at times we sharply disagreed on important things, all the conversations I heard met the standard to which we hold ourselves, to “respect the dignity of every human being.”

Perhaps this is because we spent plenty of time in prayer. It turns out that when we open ourselves to God’s presence, the Holy Spirit really does lead us. It’s a good lesson to ponder.

The President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris, asked me if I would take photos for the House of Deputies, since I was sitting there with my camera anyway. I was glad to play my small part in the process, and you can have a look at some photos of General Convention (mostly the House of Deputies) on my flickr album.

Some of my Forward Movement colleagues came to staff our booth in the exhibit hall, and I know they had some wonderful time with lots of folks. We always learn so much when we listen to one another.

But the thing that excited me the most about this convention is our willingness to embrace our calling in a challenging time. We’ve chosen a new Presiding Bishop who has said he will lead our church to realign its resources for the mission God has given us in this time and place, not for an age that no longer exists. We chose new ways of doing things at several points.

It won’t be easy. But the Gospel is never about making our lives easy. Just when we need him, Jesus always shows up. And if we can have the strength and courage to embrace our calling, we can offer our Lord’s saving message of mercy and grace to the whole world.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn's signature

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

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Forward Today: The gift of the Holy Spirit

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A crowd of people in seats at the Louisville Convention Center. The stage at the center is draped with red and yellow banners. An altar stands at the center of the stage, with candles on either side.
Opening Eucharist at General Convention in Louisville, KY. (Photo: Scott Gunn)

Dear friends in Christ,

I write this from Louisville, KY, where I am serving as a deputy to the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church. About 1,000 bishops and deputies gather every three years to worship together, enjoy fellowship with one another, and deliberate on matters that affect our common life as a church.

Sometimes it looks messy. Debate gets heated. Mistakes are made. Coffee queues are lengthy. Results may go differently than we hoped.

But, despite all these things, the Holy Spirit shows up.

My hope always is that when any group gathers to make decisions, we pray for guidance and listen attentively for the still, small voice of God. It’s never easy, but sometimes— despite ourselves—it happens.

At our service of Holy Eucharist this morning, the Rev’d Yejide Peters-Pietersen preached a brilliant sermon about how we can trust God to be present. Yejide is Associate Dean and Director of Formation at Berkeley Divinity School, and she’s a former Forward Movement board member. She reminded us all that the world does not depend on our striving but on God’s providence and action.

Please pray for the General Convention and our work. Pray today, especially, for the bishops who are voting to select our next Presiding Bishop as I write this. Pray for the laypeople and clergy in the House of Deputies who will discern whether to confirm the the bishops’ vote.

The Spirit does amazing things when we make room, whether at the local, diocesan, or churchwide levels. And this is true for our daily lives, too. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn's signature

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

P.S. I’m posting some photos from the floor of the House of Deputies throughout the convention. Have a look if you want to see what our governance looks like.

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New Compline podcast from Forward Movement launches

Compline podcast cover image, featuring a campfire and view of trees as dusk.A new daily prayer podcast has joined Forward Movement’s popular podcasts of morning prayer and evening prayer.

Compline: Late Evening Episcopal Prayers – prayers said just before bedtime – is now available thanks to the work of the Rev. Wiley Ammons.

Every day thousands of people pray with A Morning at the Office and An Evening at the Office, produced and hosted by the Rev. Wiley Ammons, Laura Ammons, and the Rev. Lisa Meirow.

“Over the last few years, lots of people have asked me if we could add a compline podcast, and I’m thrilled that Wiley has been able to do this,” said the Rev. Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement.

The service of compline is found in the Book of Common Prayer, and it is one of the four times for which daily prayer services are provided. The liturgy is brief, drawing on ancient prayers, canticles, the Psalms, and a short lesson.

All of our podcasts are free of charge, made possible by generous donors. Join our donor community at forwardmovement.org/donate.

You can find these podcasts wherever you listen to podcasts, or by visiting our website.

Gunn noted, “Forward Movement knows that daily prayer is an essential habit for every Christian, and we want to support your life of prayer wherever you are.”

Forward Movement is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that inspires disciples and empowers evangelists. Offices are in Cincinnati, OH. You can learn more at forwardmovement.org.