Issue link: http://archden.uberflip.com/i/1312720
5 ing in communion with God now and loving others as Christ did. Jesus clearly wants active, committed followers, because he commanded the Church to make them and to teach them how to live. Jesus established the Church to operate through rela- tionship, as we only come to be a disciple through the help of others. Disciples are given a mission to become representatives of Jesus to others, "who- ever receives you, receives me," who in turn help them to become disciples. Discipleship begins with an encounter with Christ and entails a process of growth, an ongoing pro- cess of conversion. Building upon the graces of Baptism, intentional discipleship stems f rom a decision or commitment to follow Jesus and to live in relationship with him. This relationship grows in prayer, the place where "heart to speaks to heart," as Jesus shares the love of his heart with ours. The life of the disciple also grows in relationship with others, through the process of mentorship through moral and spiritual development. It culminates in the ability to enter maturely into mission, put - ting faith into practice in daily life and serving the Church's mission with the community. These three stages could be summarized as 1) choosing to fol- low Christ, 2) growing in the Christian life through mentorship, and 3) actively engaging in mission. The Importance of Discipleship The importance of discipleship for the future of the Church cannot be overstated. As only remnants of Christian culture remain, today's Catholics are tasked with navigating the uncharted waters of a post-Christian culture while courageously forging a renewed culture in which the faith can develop