CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Christian mission is not simple about the multiplication of the church,
it is about the discipling of the nations (Matt:28;19-20). This means that the
task of winning souls must be balanced by an emphasis of what is to happen to
the souls after they have been won.
Over the years, the researchers has been carrying this burden in his
heart because some churches have neglected their discipleship ministry and
leave the new convert half baked and shallow in spiritual growth. Gunter
Krallmann noted in his book Mentoring for Mission that;
Jesus is our great model of discipling. The foundation of Jesus Christ’s
mentoring of the twelve was laid through building blocks like the following;
His total obedience to God, His intercession for them, His deed of love for His
follower, His anointing, His trust in God’s work in them, His apparent witness
and His primary concern for character development.[1]
In fact, discipleship is a process that should be occurring throughout
the believer’s life. A Disciple always follows his master’s life once a
disciple, always a disciple. Also disciple is a lifestyle. Believers are
Christ’s disciples and this Christian life calls them to learn and live like
Him.
This requires significant changes in the way they think and live. True
discipleship takes all of Christ’s teaching and implement them into their lives
in such a way that their liven in such a way that they live like Christ did.
But this is not so in the church of today. In his book, Understanding the
Concept and Condition for Discipleship, Gbile Akanmi wrote:” if we must be
joint-heir of God together with Jesus Christ, we must become like Jesus Christ,
the first born, otherwise, that will be contrary to God’s righteous demand”[2].
Discipleship is a fundamental principle on which other rest because it has the
heart of Christ’s purpose for the church.
Moreover, it is important to observe that some churches in the present
day society have replaced their discipleship ministry with other activities
such as evangelism, crusades, diverse prayer programmes, night vigils,
empowerment programmes, conferences, seminar, to mention just a few, Robert
Coleman explain the great commission in the following way:
The Great Commission is not merely to go to the ends of the earth
preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15) nor to baptize a lot of converts into the
name of the triune God, nor to teach them the precepts of Christ, but to “make
disciple” to build people like themselves who were so constrained
by the commission of Christ that they not only follow but also lead
others to follow His way.[3]
The urgency of discipleship grows as believers understand the heavy
damage the church is suffering from the Lack of God’s truths into His people.
Jesus commanded believers to make disciples. Paul has compactly given believers
the plan of discipleship. It is not complicated but crucial. But, remember that
the believers success or failure depends on how well they follow this pattern.
Hence, the need to understand and return to the fundamental principles
of discipleship and it effect on church growth from the biblical stand point,
because this is the principles on which all others found their starting point
and it is at the heart of the purpose of the church as seen in Jesus
commands to His disciples( Matt 28:19-20)
Therefore, the researcher, using Foursquare Gospel Church Ijeshatedo
Zonal Headquarters as a case study, went into findings and came up with some
suggestion and recommendations to correct this inconsistency in the
contemporary church and be able to share the burden of Christ for the world
1.2
Statement of the Problem
Discipleship has become one of the greatest challenges facing the
present day church. The believers service’s in today’s church no longer have
much effect as expected in the life of growing Christians and the society.
There have also been great deficiencies in the lives of those who profess to be
members of the body of Christ producing much of unwanted characters and
attitudes that makes one doubt if truly they are born again. This research work
is therefore carried out with a view of examining the present structures of
discipleship and its effects on church growth and makes suggestion as to
raising the standard. The question the researcher needed to investigate and
proffer solution to in this research work are:
1. What is the discipleship strategy of Foursquare
Gospel Church Ijeshatedo Zonal Headquarter?
2. What are the challenges of discipleship in
Foursquare Gospel Church Ijeshatedo Zonal Headquarter?
3. What are the effects of lack of discipleship in the
church?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1. To evaluate the effects of discipleship training
programmes on the spiritual growth of members of the church.
2. To find out why discipleship programmes on the
decrease in the present day church.
3. To create awareness of the significant of
discipleships as a tool for church growth.
4. To recommend to the church the biblical principles
of discipleship as demonstrated by biblical leaders of various eras.
5. To help the body of Christ, especially Foursquare
Gospel Church Ijeshatedo Zonal Headquarters to rise up to the task in relation
to the subject matter.
1.4 Significance of the
Study
This research is worthy of consideration, and the study is so important
for the following:
- This
research work will aid the church especially Foursquare Gospel Church
Ijeshatedo Zonal Headquarters to review and where necessary improve their
discipleship programmes in growing mature believers with Christ-like
characters. - It will
help disciples to receive the principle of spiritual multiplication and
make believers to be mature in their Christian work and walk - The
study will help to prepare the youth and others arms of the church in
getting laborers for the end time harvest - It will
also help believers, especially in Foursquare Gospel Church Ijeshatedo
Zonal Headquarters to know, appreciate and achieve the purpose for which
they are called as members and leaders - The
study will serve as a source of material for the seminarians and future
research into areas related to the subject matter. - This
study will also be useful for the purpose of conducting seminars,
conferences and discipleship programmes that will lead to the further
expansion of the Zonal Headquarters and the body of Christ in general.
1.5 Delimitation of the Study
The topic under consideration in this research is
“Discipleship: The Missing Link in Today’s Church”. This study is strictly
restricted to Foursquare Gospel Church Ijeshatedo Zonal Headquarters, although
the result can be applicable to the church in general.
1.6. Research Procedure
This section of the research work deals with the method and procedure
used in carrying out the research work. It describes the method of data
analyses, the population of the study, samples and sampling methods.
The population used for this research work includes
people in leadership position in the body of Christ (church) and these include:
pastors, church council, head of ministries (youth, music, evangelism and so
on), deacons, deaconesses and church members.
The main instrument used in carrying out this research work is
questionnaire. Purposeful sampling techniques was used to samples pastors, head
of ministries deacons. Deaconess and church members for this purpose. The use
of this technique became necessary because of the large number of probable
respondents.
The researcher also made great use of the internal facilities in which
the appropriate references were made where applicable. And some information was
collected from personal observation and verbal contribution of the researcher
with some church members.
1.7 Limitation of the
Study
The major impediment that confronted the research work is lack of proper
record keeping by Foursquare Gospel Church Ijeshatedo Zonal Headquarters. Also,
difficulty was encountered in retrieving the questionnaires. Moreover, some
leaders and members served with questionnaires were hoarding relevant
information. In spite of these limitations, the research work still achieves
its purpose by consulting other sources for adequate information and collection
of data.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Church
All Christian considered as a single body. A building set apart or
consecrated for public worship or religious service.
Disciple
A person who has made a commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior
who is learning and following His teachings
Discipleship
This is the process whereby a converted person learn at the feet of
Christ with the aim of practicing and doing what he learns until his lifestyle
and habit conforms to God’s standard.
Follow Up
To ensure that a new convert is permanently established in Christ.
Leader
A leader is a person who direct or controls a team, organization,
country etc. In biblical context, a leader is a person with a God given
capacity and responsibility to influence a specific group of God’s people
towards His purpose for the group.