Nineteenth-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said, “The Methodist class meeting is the best institution for training new Christians the world will ever see.” But Moody saw the class meeting as a support group for those who had accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. Dr. Watson instead sees the class meeting as a relational means of faith development for those who must “belong before they believe.”

Let’s be honest. Most local churches have settled for a rather generalized friendliness that hasn’t developed many intimate church friends whom one could call upon in the middle of the night.

Where in the typical United Methodist church is spiritual growth enhanced? Where are gifts discovered and mentored? Where can we share our experience of God’s absence and God’s presence in our lives? Where can we share without fear of gossip, condescension or judgment? Where can we overcome our biblical illiteracy and find solace in God’s Word?

Hardly anywhere.  It’s rare.  And that is an abandonment of call

Source: The United Methodist Portal