Discipleship from a global perspective

The church has experienced dramatic growth in the global south over the past century, in contrast to much of the Western world.  Yet there remains a challenge in terms of discipleship, as highlighted by the example of Rwanda.  The country had an estimated 90% of the population in 1994 and yet went on to experience the horrors of a genocide that left nearly 1 million dead, and a nation ripped apart.  Some of my good friends come from Rwanda and Burundi and carry personally the scars of this conflict in a supposedly Christian country.

Nevertheless there are lessons for us to learn from discipleship in the global south.  It was encouraging to be able to share some of this at a recent gathering of mission leaders in the UK so that the lessons can inform us.  A few of the lessons shared were as follows:

1.       Discipleship needs to be contextual – it needs to relate to the context in which people live and breathe, rather than be imported from an alien culture.  It needs to address the issues and context in which people live out their lives.  So, for example, if people live in a context of fear of evil spirits, then it needs to address that issue.  Does our UK discipleship relate to the changing context in which we live e.g. lack of commitment, materialism and individualism?

2.       Discipleship needs to be intentional- it doesn’t just happen but rather needs to be worked through with strategic intent. So, for example, a church planting movement in India has a detailed plan of teaching that is drawn into the life of new churches at various stages of growth.  Do we build, with strategic intent, discipleship into the life of our Christian communities e.g. what are we expecting disciples to look like and how are we going to get there?

3.       Discipleship needs to be built around the community of a family or small group – it needs to be relational in nature as modelled by Jesus and his band of followers.  This seems to happen more naturally often in other cultures where the family and community is more closely knit.  Do we neglect the smaller expression of Christian community at the expense of focusing upon the large gathering? - More relational discipleship provides for accountability and a depth of relationship that the larger church gathering does not.

4.       Discipleship needs to address the whole of life – it cannot simply be the preserve of a Sunday or church activity, but needs to infiltrate the whole of life.  So, for example, a programme called ‘Farming God’s Way’ brings together faith and farming in a transformative way in many places in sub-Saharan Africa.  Does our discipleship help to equip people for the workplace and the whole of life? - The real frontline of mission is found in the places where we live our lives day by day.

Just a few thoughts to which much could be added….