Date
11-13-2024
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Chair
Jason Mitchell
Keywords
Wholistic discipleship, convergence, discipleship ecosystem, incarnational witnessing, conceptual knowledge, urban contexts, praxis, and missional lifestyle
Disciplines
Missions and World Christianity | Practical Theology
Recommended Citation
Telzerow, Kiersten, "Wholistic Discipleship at National Community Church: The Most Effective Tool for Transforming the City" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6165.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6165
Abstract
The formation of wholistic discipleship beckons a life fully surrendered. This thesis outlines wholistic discipleship encompassing small groups (discipleship), mission, and prayer revealing a formation deeper than conceptual knowledge in the life of a Christ-follower. Living in proximity to the presence of God and amongst others is a crucial expression of core DNA to grow in the Great Commandment expressed through the Great Commission. Wholistic discipleship is the tool that transforms incarnational witnessing and prayer evangelism in partnership with the Trinity. This thesis studies a personal faith matched with kingdom-oriented impact within urban contexts. It unpacks transformational mission-based prayer, seeking to impact metropolitan cities and infuse every aspect of discipleship within a community. The study involves small group leaders in Washington, D.C. who participated in a survey, questionnaire, interviews, a prayer course, and focus group responding with a conversation guide. The intended goal is to close the gap between conceptual knowledge and expressive witnessing with the pull thread of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Moving from a privatized faith into the praxis of a lifestyle oriented towards the things near to the heart of God: mission, discipleship, and prayer, as the lifeblood of the local church. The key findings of this study outline a transferrable plan for local churches in urban contexts creating environments that grow in awareness, alignment, and deep transformation. The integrated nature of this discipleship ecosystem thrives as a healthy convergence fueling relationships, missional lifestyles, and prayer evangelism influencing neighborhoods, cities, regions, and beyond.
