The Journey: Wilmont Defines an Objective Assessment of Spiritual Maturity

Oklahoma City: Wilmont Place Baptist Church rolled out a new discipleship pathway branded "The Journey" in a morning worship service on Sunday, February 9, 2020. The Journey is part of their new revitalization strategy approved during a December 29, 2019 business meeting. The Journey provides church members an objective assessment of spiritual maturity and a pathway of milestones they can use to develop further growth in Christ.

Christian disciples are students (or learners) of Jesus Christ and are committed to a lifelong journey of growing to be more like Christ through a study and practice of the Scriptures. Wilmont recognizes that spiritual growth is a personal discipline that every Christian must adopt for themselves. Yet, the church believes that a healthy New Testament church recognizes the value of congregations partnering with membership to provide accountability and tools to assist Christians with their growth plan.

Wilmont has grouped this discipleship journey in five easy to understand stages.

In stage 1, the foundation of discipleship is laid as members and guests verify an understanding of salvation and formalize their entrance into The Journey. This discovery stage allows people unfamiliar with Christianity a safe and beginner level opportunity to understand God's plan for reconciling sinners to the Father. A clear testimony of salvation and an understanding in Christ's desire to Lord over the lives of His people is necessary to moving to stage 2.

In stage 2, disciples are brought into partnership and accountability within the community of the church. A public profession of Christ's work is given through the work of baptism and classes are available to help disciples start (or start over) in their walk with the Lord. Covenantal membership is required of disciples in order to progress to stage 3.

Stage 3 offers an accelerated plan for Christian growth and remains the stage where most Christians spend years maturing. Stage three offers large group Bible studies as well as small groups designed to help Christians develop a personal ability to grow independently. Evangelism becomes an essential element of The Journey in this stage, giving disciples the tools necessary to communicate their faith.

Stage 4 provides training and opportunities for disciples to become disciple-makers. Disciple-making is not the sole responsibility of the staff, but the privilage of every Christian learning to pour themselves into their family, friends, and church in a way that replicates the The Journey and cultivates a congregational DNA of New Testament Christianity. In stage 4, disciples move from being self-focused to being others-focused.

Stage 5 offers disciples with a vocational desire a custom plan to become church leaders. By "vocation," The Journey implies that some may desire to surrender their life to an occupation as church staff. At the same time, other "vocational" disciples work in the secular world but find that their primary desire is to actively participate in ministry to the church or on behalf of the church to advance the gospel and edify the church.

More information about The Journey can be found at https://www.wilmontplace.com/journey.html. Those in the public interested in participating in The Journey can begin by attending any worship service or by calling the church office at 405.634.0440.

About Wilmont Place Baptist Church: Wilmont Place Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist church of 150 active members on the south side of Oklahoma City. Text-driven expository preaching, Bible-teaching, personal growth, and community evangelism define the culture and direct the activities and events of the congregation. The church is working through a formal revitalization strategy in which members become family and the community becomes ministry.

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