Church Leadership and Discipleship for Contemporary Church Growth

Knowing the fact condition of local churches in North-East India, this book seriously dealt with church leadership and discipleship for contemporary church growth based on the great commission. Leadership is necessary to understand for taking up a discipleship role. Intentional-Relational-Discipleship is one of the fastest-growing methods in the local church ministry. Hence, this book teaches how to think and act as a church leader and attain spiritual maturity and work as a disciple-maker. In this book of guidelines and principles of Christian leadership in the local church and discipleship role, the author sincerely affirms that this book shall impart and bring great impact of the highest degree to those who want to serve in the local church administration effectively.

M. K. Koshilning Maring (MDiv, ThM, PhD) hails from Maring Naga Tribe of Manipur. Currently serve as Academic Dean at Chil Chil Global University, Kanglatongbi, Imphal West, Manipur. He served as Academic Dean cum Lecturer at Agape College, Dimapur, for eight years and International Theological College & Seminary, Dimapur for three years. He also served as Mission Secretary at the Mission Department of Chandel Union Church, Dimapur for two years. He is an ordained minister under MNBA. He is the author of Systematic Teachings of Religious Traditions: A Study on World Major Religions; Tribal Religion; Oikonomia Bible Quiz, etc. He is married to S. Anania Aimol (former Children Coordinator/Education Secretary of ABA) and they are residing at CHAMS Campus.

Still, I remember my childhood days that how my local church administration functioned with a simple system. During those days the church members were excited and courageous to attend church services and activities. Every evening we had home worship attended by 80% of the church members. In those days, though many corruptions and weaknesses existed amongst the local churches, the believers were in closed relationship with God; of course they experienced untrained pastors. Going to morning and evening services and home worship practices were the main concern and they believed themselves as mature Christians. Now the contemporary local churches' condition is a vast difference. Many theological trained scholars rise up but local churches are dry and dying, why? Traditionally it is occurring especially within the tribal Christians society that before 50th years of christianity, most of the local churches revived soon and after 50 years of Golden Jubilee churches are becoming weak, WHY? The administration of the local church has more problems with leaders' I have seen that several local churches focuses on strong administration whereas the spiritual development has no growth. and improvement. This can ask a big question like, what is strong administration without spiritual growth? The contemporary local churches and Bible institutions emphasizes more on the knowledge of the theologies studies whereas they failed to focus on discipleship theology and practice. Present theological trained students challenge one another of their knowledge nevertheless forgotten to implement the main goal of Christian life called by God. Working for the Lord is not a competition; it is the call of God and our commitment or dedication. Many people wanted to preach the gospel and indolent to implement those preaching in daily lives. Today there are many hypocrites and thieves among the Christian servants. Literally they have divorced the fundamental teaching of Christ from the methods of Jesus. Yet they expect a good outcome but no success.

Therefore, Jesus Christ final commission was Matthew 28:18- 19, that we all must go and preach the gospel and at the same time make disciples. From this great commission, on the contrary, today, the Christians are doing only preaching without discipleship. This is one of the main failures and weaknesses we Christians do. The contemporary local churches are dying due to the pastoral ministry and deacons fail to make disciples because they themselves don't understand their leadership and the great commission accurately and truthfully. Now is the right time to bring changes in our society and the church.

The objective of this book is to encourage every true believer and especially pastors and deacons in particular and the Christian workers to understand the church leadership and make disciples of Christ, our Lord until He returns. This is written with simple comprehensive English, especially the laymen pastors and leaders also could be benefitted reading it.

In this book, I would explain based on the biblical teachings and experiences throughout my ministry journey to several places in India. I divided the outline into two sections: understanding the local church and leadership; and practical discipleship in the local church ministry. The sub-points are arranged as question types which is easy for the local church leaders to identify their needs according to their context. Why church leadership and discipleship in this book? Discipleship is with leadership and church leadership is also for discipleship. Hence, both church leadership and discipleship cannot be separated from each other in church ministry. They always work together.

"I will build my church..." said Jesus Christ our Lord (Matt.16:18). By the baptizing and indwelling work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus began building His church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47). Until now, Jesus' church is continuing and growing in the world, never letting the gates of hades overcome the church of Christ.

Jesus saves and places a person in His church with multiple plans. The design for all such plans also comes from the Lord who is the builder of the church. But, despite explaining these plans, the history of Christianity shows that people of the church take the freedom to deviate from apostolic church patterns. The majority of the church follows historical Christianity than New Testament Christianity and Ecclesiology. Willingly or not, church leaders and members tend to forget that church is not ours but the Lord's.

Revd. Dr. Koshilning Maring's concern in this book is appreciated as he has attempted is made not only to discuss almost all details of the church life, but also he makes an effort to anchor on the New Testament teachings and instructions relating to important aspects of the church.

In the North Eastern Region of our country where Christianity is making a significant impact on people's lives, the right presentation of the church and the Lord's expectations from the church is inevitable. This is sensible as we read the author's convictions on the church.

With sincere desire and prayers that let this book be a guide to many pastors, leaders, and laymen in the churches of North East India and outside, I humbly appeal the readers to make the best of the reading of this book and pass on and teach the convictions to people of our generation.

**Contents and Sample Pages**