Tag: Discipleship
Discipleship Distinctives in the Chinese Context
Although disciple making is a universal task with consistent components and principles rooted in scripture, unique discipleship distinctives can be found in every culture. Here are some discipleship distinctives found in the Chinese context.
The Inconvenience of Incarnational Ministry
Yes, we can use WeChat and many other ways to speak Life to our personal networks of image-bearers. But we speak best, truest, and fullest in the flesh.
Two Pastors Discuss the Impact of Media on the Church (1)
The coronavirus has pushed many churches in China to rethink and expand their online ministries. Here Franklin Wang, a pastor in Beijing, shares his thoughts on why Christians must use media in their ministry.
Developing a Returnee Ministry from Overseas
Why returnees need ministry from their "home" churches abroad and how it can be done.
Discipling Returnees
Returnees need an environment that will help them continue their journey of faith.
Have We Failed Returnee Christians? (Part 2)
Last week we posted the first part of an article about returnee Christians who fall away from the church that was originally published on the blog The Gift of the Magi. The article discusses how Chinese living abroad come to Christianity but struggle to remain in the church after they return to China. Part one focused more on the overseas church, while part two looks closely at the church in mainland China. This week we post part two of the article with Chinese readers’ comments from the original blog.
Friendship and Discipleship
According to the Institute of International Education, there were 328,547 students from China in colleges and universities throughout the United States in 2016. This includes those enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and “optional practical training” programs. But it’s not just higher education institutions where Chinese students are found; increasing numbers are now enrolled in high schools. The Institute of International Education reported that in 2013, there were more than 23,000 Chinese students enrolled in secondary schools in the US.
Will China Become Generous?
According to China Daily, one out of every thousand people in China is a multimillionaire. Yet China’s newfound wealth does not yet appear to be translating into greater generosity. In a worldwide survey, the London-based Charities Aid Foundation ranked China last among 140 countries. Could that change?
What Is a Disciple?
Recently the mainland-based The Good and Faithful Steward blog published a short post about what it means to be a disciple, reminding readers that being a disciple is more than just taking on the name of Christ (“Christian”), but actually following Christ.
Training and Discipleship Methods in Chinese Churches
A pioneering pastor in Beijing talks to a reporter from the Christian Times about the importance of church membership as a means of ensuring that believers receive proper spiritual nurture. The goal of church growth is not simply more people attending the church, but more disciples. He also addresses the phenomenon of lateral movement, or believers moving from one church to another, often due to dissatisfaction with their former church. His own approach of letting go and encouraging one of his congregations to become independent may seem surprising, particularly to those who believe a pastor should keep a tight reign on his flock.