Free on-line education, mobile-friendly content highlight website redesign

NASHVILLE, TENN. NOV. 4 – Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church has launched its newly redesigned website to positive reviews from church leaders.

“The newly redesigned UMCDiscipleship.org is the public face of everything we offer the Church to assist leaders as they make disciples of Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. Junius B. Dotson, Discipleship Ministries general secretary. “The updated look and redesigned architecture are doorways to new and improved ways to resource the UMC. We are proud of what we do at Discipleship Ministries and how we offer on-line ministry resources to our denomination. Now people can find what they need faster and learn how to minister more effectively.”

“About 70 percent of the more than 2.5 million unique visitors of the Discipleship Ministries website are church leaders preparing for weekly worship – pastors, worship leaders, teachers, and lay leaders,” said Matt Carlisle, director of web development & customer relationship management. “The redesign happened in response to the changing needs of website visitors.”

One new addition visitors will immediately find beneficial is the Content Library. A single click from any page, visitors have access to a vast archive of resources cataloged by topics such as stewardship, prayers or even podcasts. Included is an archive of the popular lectionary resources the website is known for.

“The Content Library is perhaps going to be the most appreciated change for the website,” Carlisle said. “Having quick access to thousands of pages of information will be an amazing benefit.”

On-line learning is an important part of the new design. Currently, three on-line classes are open to anyone at no charge: How to Start a Small Group, The Committee, and See All the People. More than 2,500 people already participate in these courses.

“The entire web redesign was done with the users in mind,” said Steve Horswill-Johnston, Discipleship Ministries chief communication officer. “Our website will be a key ministry tool for our United Methodist family and beyond.”’

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The mission of Discipleship Ministries is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.UMCdiscipleship.org, the Press Center at www.UMCdiscipleship.org/about/... or call the Communications Office at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 1726.