Ordinary Discipleship Workshop an Extraordinary Event

“Thank you so much for your work to get Jessie there: I was blown away, very uncomfortable in the way I know means I need to change something, because of a new insight, a revelation.”

This reflection came from one of the 70 people who eagerly participated in the interactive, day-long Ordinary Discipleship workshop held in late May at St. Christopher’s, Burlington.

There were three goals for the day: one, to better understand the importance of discipleship; two, to learn about the concepts (contained in the book entitled “Ordinary Discipleship” by The Reverend Jessie Cruickshank) and the discipleship process, and three, to gain insight on personal barriers to discipleship and how to address these.

The workshop was originally an idea from the Niagara Huron Anglican Cursillo Secretariat; Bishop Susan Bell agreed to co-sponsorship, with diocesan representation in the planning and hosting of the event. Leading organizers were Tim Standish and Ann Mulvale, with key support provided by Emily Hill and Canon Christyn Perkons.

The participants benefitted from presentations from three experts, who led panel discussions and facilitated the small group exercises. Participants left with homework questions to reflect on too!  The presenters were: Dr. John Bowen, emeritus professor of evangelism at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto; the Rev. Canon Dr. Ian Mobsby, community missioner and canon theologian for mission; and The Reverend Jessie Cruikshank, a nationally recognized expert in disciple-making and the neuroscience of transformation.

As one participant commented, “The workshop was excellent.  All three speakers gave their rendition of discipleship, especially The Rev. Jessie Cruickshank.  She spoke from the heart and being a neuroscientist, was able to explain how the brain works in conjunction with God’s word.”

One of the panelists, in the closing discussion, observed that “People want to see authenticity – revealing vulnerability is powerful.  When people see you walk through the struggle, they know that they are not alone (as a disciple).  The discipling process heals both of us – the disciple and the disciple-maker.”