Practicing the Way
Practicing the Way: Our Path to Following Jesus
When you decide to become a member of The Beloved Church, one of the first things we will do together is invite you into a small group where we will spend eight weeks learning to follow Jesus through a process we call Practicing the Way. This is not just an orientation or information session. This is our onboarding into a completely different way of living.
Why We Do What We Do
Every church has a process. Some churches focus on doctrine first, asking you to learn what to believe. Others emphasize service, getting you plugged into volunteer roles. Still others prioritize community, connecting you with others who share your interests or life stage.
We do something different at The Beloved Church. We start with the most important question: How do we actually follow Jesus?
This might sound obvious. After all, is that not what every church is supposed to be about? But here is a harsh truth about the Christian faith today: there are a lot of Christians and denominations of Christianity, but very few disciples of Jesus.
We can know the right answers. We can attend services regularly. We can serve in ministries and give generously. But if we do not know how to follow Jesus in the actual rhythms of our daily lives, we have missed the heart of what He invited us into.
Formation Over Information
I believe there are many important topics and areas of theology to explore in our faith. The history of the church is rich with wisdom about what to believe and why it matters. These things have their place, and we will not ignore them.
But nothing is more important than knowing how to practically follow Jesus in this day and age.
Dallas Willard and John Mark Comer have masterfully articulated what it means to be a disciple or apprentice of Jesus. Their work has shaped how we understand discipleship at The Beloved Church. Following their example, we prioritize formation over information. We focus on becoming the kind of people who naturally live like Jesus, rather than simply knowing more about Jesus.
Here is what I have discovered: as we follow Jesus, the things we need to know and believe are revealed to us. The information becomes meaningful because we are living it out. The Holy Spirit teaches us. Preaching and teaching land differently. The spiritual practices transform us from the inside out.
When we start with following, everything else finds its proper place.
A Crock Pot Ministry
We are a crock pot ministry, not a microwave.
This means we move slowly and intentionally. We resist the pressure to rush people through a program or checklist. We do not measure success by how quickly someone can recite doctrine or how many Bible verses they have memorized.
Instead, we ask: Are you learning to be with Jesus? Are you becoming like Jesus? Are you doing what Jesus did?
These three questions guide everything we do. They form the core of Practicing the Way. Over eight weeks, you will explore what it means to arrange your life around Jesus. You will learn ancient spiritual practices that have sustained followers of Jesus for centuries. You will discover rhythms that create space for God to work in you.
This takes time. Real transformation always does.
We are asking for your patience. What we are teaching cannot be rushed. It cannot be crammed into a weekend seminar or reduced to five easy steps. It requires you to slow down, to pay attention, to practice until these ways of living become second nature.
Will You Join Us?
Practicing the Way is not just a course. It is an invitation into a way of life. It is the beginning of a journey that will continue for the rest of your days.
You will be placed in a small group with others who are just starting this journey. Together, you will learn what it means to follow Jesus in your workplace, your neighborhood, your family, and your inner life. You will practice spiritual disciplines not as religious duties but as pathways to experiencing God’s love and presence.
This is how we start at The Beloved Church. We start by learning to follow Jesus together.
Because when we get that right, everything else flows from it.
Will you join us in following Jesus?
If you are ready to begin Practicing the Way, or if you want to learn more about what this journey looks like, reach out to us. We would love to walk this path with you.