Though we have often been led to believe it is a program or curriculum, discipleship is a lifelong process. We are always enrolled in the school of discipleship to Jesus.

From where comes this idea that we can get "discipled" and then go on about our merry way? Books? Teachers? The Bible itself? Perhaps we look at the disciples and how they spent two or three years with Jesus and think to ourselves, "Well, it only took Peter and James and John and the rest 24 months or so, and I've been at it at least that long, so I must be a mature Christian by now!" If only! And not only for us, for those quick to act, slow to learn disciples as well. The Gospels and beyond are replete with tales of how long it takes the disciples to get what Jesus has in mind. And most of them do, eventually. Most of them.

Discipleship is Life with God over years and years and years. We see this in the lives of those we encounter in the Scripture. We see this in the lives of those we meet throughout Christian history. We see this in the lives of those whom we know well. We see this in our own lives. We are called to be Jesus's disciples, apprentices in the school of life, from now until the hereafter.

We will be celebrating the lifelong process of discipleship to Jesus in Houston, Texas, this October, and, thankfully, we will be students of Jesus and of some of the best contemporary discplers of our day—Foster, Ortberg, Sider, Willard, Winner, and others. These are disciples themselves, and we will be encouraged for our own paths.

Plus, during the event workshops we will consider the look of discipleship in various contexts: work and family and school and church and more. These are all differently made spaces and they all hold unique opportunities for engaging in discipleship to Jesus. As one of our workshop leaders puts it, "Transformation into Christlikeness is a work of God that we most readily receive in the context of and through the trials and tribulations of ordinary life." Come and consider what discipleship can look like in the various places where we daily experience our trails and tribulations.

In Houston we will also be celebrating a major milestone: the 30th Anniversary of Richard J. Foster's Celebration of Discipline. This has been one of the most important books for me for almost 20 years now, as it has been for many. And for good reason. Celebration connects the dots between discipline and discipleship. Without the intentional practice of spiritual disciplines we are not on the way of discipleship. Unless we see discipleship to Jesus as the seedbed in which the growth of our life occurs then there is no need for spiritual disciplines. The two are intimately connected, and we can thank Richard for his leadership in our time and place for helping make it apparent.

I do hope you can join us in October.

Every blessing,

Christopher Webb, TSSF
RENOVARÉ President

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