Discipleship and the Local Church
March 2, 2009 – 4:59 pmEmphasis on the local church is key to the identity of Missions Mandate and Inter-City Baptist Church, the local church under which MM exists. We try to keep that idea at the forefront of what we promote and write and how we influence individuals for missions mobilization.
I came across an article today that echoes our emphasis upon the local church and its key role in discipling believers. Steve Timmis, a writer for The Resurgence in an article entitled “Discipleship and Training” explains the crucial role that the local church (not parachurch ministries) plays in discipleship.
Is it not a quiet madness for churches to largely outsource their discipleship (to parachurch agencies) and training (to theological colleges)? The best context for both discipleship and training is the people of God on mission (a.k.a. church).
…The primary context for training should also be the church in situ. I find it strange that this assertion should be so contentious when the weight of the biblical evidence is behind it. Timothy was trained in gospel ministry as he went about doing gospel ministry. Paul took him under his wing, mentored and tutored him, sent him off into various situations, and talked him through whatever problems he had to deal with. The task of training is equipping people to be better gospel ministers, and an apprenticeship model in situ is the vehicle best suited for that task.
Entire article.
See previous MM articles on the primacy of the local church:
Local Church Ministry to Kurdistan - an example of a local-church centered ministry to the unreached
