Discipleship

Baptist Christians are usually encouraged in their personal discipleship in terms of reading the Bible daily and praying regularly alone and in small groups.  It is recognised that discipleship also extends to serving God through the life of the church with some regular responsibility, and this may be in some missional context that touches the lives of people beyond the immediate family of the church.

However, research has revealed that the vast majority of Christians are not being equipped for mission in their daily contexts, nor are they being helped to live the abundant life in Christ where they spend most of their time (‘Apprentice 09’ survey, LICC).   Courses that help bring people to the life of faith are important, but committed Christians also need to be life-long learners; understanding what it means to be disciples walking in the footsteps of Jesus in all the various situations and changing contexts of life.

The crossingplaces initiative helps churches break down this sacred-secular divide, seeing that our times of getting together as church in services or small groups provide the opportunities to equip and support Christians for all they are doing in the rest of the week - in the workplace, in voluntary situations, at leisure activities and with friends and family.  Asking ‘What will you be doing tomorrow at 11:00?’ regularly to different people can be a starting point for sharing information and supporting with prayer.

For more information about discipling people to be followers of Jesus 24/7 making a difference for him wherever they are, see  crossingplaces.

Book:  The Great Divide, Mark Green, LICC 2010 (RRP: £2.50 - discounts available for large orders)

Encouraging Missionary Disciples

The Baptist Union of Great Britain's strapline is Encouraging Missionary Disciples.

We are committed to trying to raise understanding of discipleship in a new way; one in which we move beyond conversion to completing the Great Commission to make disciples.