Passing on the faith is not only a matter that each Christian family must address but also a challenge facing the church today. The Chinese church has young believers but lacks disciples who are fervent for the Lord. If church leaders want to build a healthy church, they must invest effort in discipleship training.
Recently, Pastor W, a third-generation pastor from Western China, shared his experiences and methods of discipleship training for church succession. He emphasized that to be a disciple, a believer should not merely learn knowledge but also follow the humility and self-sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.
Discipleship Training is More Important Than Knowledge Learning
W graduated from seminary at 25 and returned to serve in his hometown church. During his four years of theological study, he took over 60 courses. However, after graduation, W realized that he still knew very little. He realized that knowledge must be applied in ministry work.
"When we talk about theology in the church, we need to be clear that we must understand the Word of God," W said.
Training Church Successors Through Discipleship
Since starting his ministry, W has been conducting discipleship training for 20 years. The trainees primarily are church volunteers, college graduates, and young people passionate about the Lord but with limited education.
Discipleship training takes three years to complete. The main courses include Discipleship for Life Transformation, Overview of the Bible, The Life of Jesus, Missions Through the Lens of Acts, and Church History. Then students move on to the studies of Hermeneutics and Homiletics, as well as pastoral work. After finishing these courses, students know how to serve in ministry.
W also requires them to learn worship studies, as those involved in ministry need to understand the meaning of church liturgy.
A more important thing than completing the biblical courses is to practice what is learned in daily life. Teachers can have a great influence on students, as they observe the lives of their teachers. Through those who lead them, students learn how to follow Jesus in a life of self-sacrifice, much like when Jesus led His twelve disciples.
Challenges in Training
W shared that among his trainees, the best ones are the first batch of students. While the subsequent batches were also good, their faith was more easily shaken when facing trials.
Reflecting on this issue, he noted the importance of good teachers. Students do not only learn the knowledge but also learn from their teachers’ lives. He invited many teachers, whose quality varied. The first batch of students were all personally guided by him, living and serving with him. He believes it is a crucial aspect of discipleship training.
Originally published on China Christian Daily
