The Ministry Description

Key Elements of the Ministry

Called to Obedience is a discipleship ministry designed to equip believers to live a life of obedience through the application of biblical principles.

The goal of CTO is to develop and maintain ongoing accountable relationships within the Body of Christ which encourage a lifestyle of obedience.

The foundation of such relationships is built on...

...seeing life from God's perspective: Renewing your mind.

•  Being anchored in the Sovereignty of God

•  Understanding the call to suffer

•  Submitting decisions to the Word of God

...practicing biblical love: Reconciling relationships.

•  Forgiving others - Col. 3:12-15

•  Confessing sin - 1 John 1:9; James 5:16

•  Seeking forgiveness of those who have been offended - Matt. 5:23-24

•  Admonishing in love - 1 Thess. 5:14

•  Being free from a root of bitterness - Heb. 12:15

...living a surrendered life: Relinquishing rights.

•  Releasing perceived rights

•  Surrendering difficult people and situations to God's

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control

•  Waiting on God and persevering in difficult circumstances

Called to Obedience is a process within the context of an intimate discipling relationship which utilizes a combination of personal Bible studies, lessons  and practical projects to assist individuals in experiencing the reality of God and His resources.  As disciples implement the life changing principles of obedience, they are encouraged to pass on what they have learned and experienced with others in similar discipling relationships.

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Key Elements of the Ministry Description

 The discipling process.

•  CTO is not just a curriculum or information that is academically taught but truths that are experientially learned.

•  CTO is not a program or class to be completed but a tool to help develop a biblical lifestyle through the modeling, encouragement and accountability of another believer.

The context of an intimate discipling relationship.

•  The principles of CTO are most effectively learned in the context of personal accountability with another Christian. Therefore, CTO is a tool that cannot be separated from an intimate discipling relationship.

•  The one-on-one or couple-with-couple relationships provide opportunities for vulnerability, disclosure and discussion about personal issues that are often hindrances to obedience.

•  CTO is not effectively learned in seminars or a small group format.

A combination of Bible studies, lessons and projects.

•  CTO directs you to the Word of God as the central focus around which the follower of Christ is commanded to build his life.

•  CTO provides many practical how to's and assignments that are designed to help you apply the biblical principles presented.

A tool to assist in experiencing the reality of God.

•  CTO is designed to help one experience the intersection of God's grace with their obedience.

•  CTO provides studies and lessons which reinforce what is experienced in the practical projects.

The implementation of principles of obedience.

•  CTO teaches one how to practically see life from God's perspective.

•  CTO teaches one how to practice biblical love.

•  CTO teaches one how to live a surrendered life.

The sharing of God's truths with others.

•  CTO is not designed to just get the believer through a "crisis" but to develop a lifestyle of obedience.

•  The principles presented in CTO , when experientially learned, are easily transferable to others.

•  God is in the process of transforming us into the image of Christ:
    (Col. 3:9-10, Eph.. 4:1-2)

•  God has given us all we need to be all that He desires:
    (2 Pet. 1:3-4, 2 Cor. 9:8)

•  God has sovereignly ordained the circumstances of our lives:
    (Rom. 8:28 -29, Eph.. 1:11-12)

•  God often uses difficult circumstances and people to accomplish   His purposes:     (James 1:2-4, 1 Pet. 1:6-7)

•  God has given us His Word, His Spirit and His people as resources for change:     (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Heb. 3:13)

•  God reveals the depth of our sin so we can understand the riches of His grace:    (Eph. 2:4, 1 Tim. 1:15-16, 2 Cor. 7:9-10)

•  God has shown us that the primary battle ground is our mind:
    (2 Cor. 10:3-5, Rom. 12:2)

•  God has forgiven us and commands us to forgive others:
    (Eph. 4:30-32; Col. 3:12-14)

•  God desires control of our lives to accomplish His kingdom purpose:
    (Luke 22:42; Gal. 2:20)

1. We believe in the sufficiency of Christ and His Word as the basis for ...

•  building a strong, vital relationship with Him.

•  using the Bible as the primary resource for providing the solutions to the problems of life.

•  understanding that all needs are already met through the believer's relationship with Christ.

2. We believe that Holy Spirit and the Scriptures are...

•  the agents of change in the disciple.

•  the primary teachers and counselors upon which the discipler must rely for guidance and instruction in directing the disciple.

3. We are committed to helping people...

• understand that a loving sovereign God has ordained their difficult circumstances.

• seek to live life from God's perspective, not man's.

•  have hope in difficult circumstances based on the character of God and His promises.

•  understand that God will accomplish His goals for the believer through suffering.

4. We hold the body of Christ to be the primary context for living authentic Christianity; therefore, we give priority to...

• the role of the local church.

• the responsibility and authority of elders in shepherding the flock of God among them.

• the practice of identifying and dealing with sin biblically.

• the importance of biblical forgiveness in the body life context of the church.

• the priority of personal accountability to the body of Christ in maintaining biblical relationships.

5. We believe that true Christian discipleship is best learned and developed on a life-to-life basis between the discipler and the disciple.   It is in this relationship that we...

• understand our responsibility as believers to disciple others.

• view role modeling as a primary vehicle for imparting God's truth to others.

• encourage the disciple to pass on what he has learned to others.

• give priority to equipping and providing support to disciplers.

6. We see that the biblical model of discipleship should be part of the normal body life ministry of believers. Because of this, we...

•  do not charge a fee for discipleship time.

•  do not allow the CTO approach to be used in any "fee" setting.

•  do not pursue fundraising programs or activities.

•  do not advertise or use promotional means to further the ministry.

We welcome financial gifts to sustain this work from those who are being encouraged to grow in the Christian faith through this ministry. Called to Obedience Ministry, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, donations are exempt from federal income tax to the extent allowed by law.

If you wish to support Called to Obedience Ministries financially, you may contribute online using your credit card or by mailing your personal check. For on-line contributions, please insert the amount of your gift in the box below and click the "Submit" button. You will be directed to a secure link to complete the transaction.