Basics of Faith Formation (CEU)

Equipping local churches for disciple making through understanding the role of the church and other ministry settings in forming faith.

“Go and make disciples…”

Famous words of Jesus, and similarly, the mission of The United Methodist Church. “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” is more than a commandment the church follows, disciple making is at the heart of who the church is.

Basics of Faith Formation is a five-session series designed to equip local churches for disciple making through understanding the role of the church in forming faith. This course aims to help church staff and volunteers gain more clarity about discipleship and the role of the church and extension ministry settings in forming disciples.

We have brought together some of the best ministry leaders from across the connection! In this series you’ll hear and learn from pastors, conference staff, District Superintendents, camp and retreat directors, and church staff about how they are at work forming and training disciples of Jesus Christ. Each of these faith formation leaders serve in a wide variety of settings and bring their unique contributions. They’ll be honest about things that have gone well and areas they are challenged in.

Each of the five sessions are accompanied by a video segment, along with suggestions for “action steps” and questions for reflection and response.

Sessions include:

  • Foundations for Faith Formation
  • Two Dimensions of Grace
  • Purpose of the Means of Grace
  • The Importance of Context
  • How Camp and Retreat Ministries Contribute to Faith Formation

In addition, this teaching series will have an online forum as a place to share your challenges, hopes, and celebrations in ministry.

This course will certainly spark new ideas and give ministry leaders from all levels of experience a renewed energy and solid foundation for discipleship formation.


NOTE: The current course offering will close on March 4, 2022.



CEU Accredited Course Offering

Discipleship Ministries eLearning offers continuing education units (CEU) upon successful course completion. Available to clergy and lay leadership of all denominations, you receive high-quality information that will enrich your faith life and ministry. This course is a CEU accredited course offering. Learn more about CEU offerings

CEUs: 1
Price: $50


Your Instructors


Rev. Scott Hughes

Scott is the Director of Adult Discipleship; Executive Director of Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship at Discipleship Ministries. He is also an Elder in the North Georgia Conference, with an M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, and D. Min. from Southern Methodist University. Rev. Hughes hosts the Small Groups in the Wesleyan Way podcast, and is creator of the Courageous Conversations project.

Chris Wilterdink

Chris serves as Director of Young People’s Ministries for Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Chris has a BA in English Education, and an MS in Project Management, and over 15 years of local-church youth ministry experience. He is passionate about leadership and faith development in young people and helping ministry leaders understand their value in the lives of young people. A Stephen Minister, Chris is a native of Colorado living in Franklin, TN with his wife Emily, 2 children, and sausage-shaped beagle.

Rev. Kevin Johnson

Kevin is the Director, Children’s Ministries for Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship at Discipleship Ministries. Kevin’s hero Fred Rogers suggests that we, “listen to the children, learn about them, learn from them. Think of the children first.” This quote defines Rev. Kev’s approach to ministry. Kevin, an ordained elder of the Kentucky Annual Conference, has over fifteen years of ministry experience in which he has thought of the children first. Prior to ministry, Kevin worked with children in the hospital setting and in group homes for emotionally and physically abused children.



CEU Accredited Course Offering

Discipleship Ministries eLearning offers continuing education units (CEU) upon successful course completion. Available to clergy and lay leadership of all denominations, you receive high-quality information that will enrich your faith life and ministry. This course is a CEU accredited course offering. Learn more about CEU offerings

CEUs: 1
Price: $50

Limited scholarships are available for congregations that need assistance paying for this event. Email: [email protected].