Date

5-2020

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Steve Vandegriff

Keywords

Discipleship, Four Principles, Discipleship in the Caribbean, New Testament Church of God

Disciplines

Christianity | Practical Theology | Religion

Abstract

Pastors and church leaders have critical roles to play in the spiritual development of their members. In this study, this student proposes to present a practical solution to a perennial issue that plagues his church and many others in Trinidad and Tobago. Presently, many church members are spiritual consumers of the ministry of a few, while they remain spiritual infants who do not contribute to the local church or to fulfilling the Great Commission. The churches are faced with the problem of determining how to teach, train, and disciple its members effectively to become spiritually mature disciples who know their spiritual gifts, have discovered their purpose, are engaged in ministry, and are ready to fulfill their role in the Great Commission. In this study, this student will examine four scriptural principles that Jesus employed in preparing His disciples to accomplish the Great Commission. These are the consecration principle, the culture-shift principle, the apprenticeship principle, and the reproduction principle. The purpose of the study is to examine the role that intentional and relational small group discipleship, along with ministry training groups, plays in the maturation of Christians using the four principles. Through applied research, the student will examine the commitment of local churches in Trinidad and Tobago to the discipleship and ministry preparation of their members. This student proposes to unearth the cultural, theological, or social issues that affect spiritual growth, particularly in the Caribbean, and will assess the responsibility of pastors and their leaders in making disciples.

Download

Share

COinS