Public and Political Discipleship by Chris Gankon

Evangelical Missiological Society, "EMS Southwest Regional Meeting", April 4th 2024Chris Gankon, Talbot School of TheologyPublic and Political Discipleship: An Innovative Model in Church PlantingAccording to Matt.13.24-25 – Another parable put he (Jesus) forth unto them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.” (KJV). In the 21st century, Missiologists cannot afford to neglect the mission of God in the public and political spheres. These arenas hold significant potential to influence the sociopolitical transformation of any society and therefore represent a vital mission field. If Missiologists remain passive or ignore the public and political dimensions of life, the enemy will continue to sow tares, disrupting the peace and stability of society. This paper therefore advocates for the inclusion of public and political discipleship in church planting. The local church, as the most effective platform for discipleship, should incorporate public and political engagement into its discipleship strategy. This approach involves integrating faith with civic responsibility, especially in the context of planting new churches. This model underscores the need to balance focusing on spiritual formation in the church with equipping the congregation to navigate the world’s issues as responsible actors ready to engage with their neighbors. The paper will highlight important public and political discipleship considerations in Church Planting, such as a holistic approach, community engagement, leadership development, collaborative efforts, advocacy and action, teaching, and resources. At the same time, the paper will analyze the advantages of public and political discipleship, which include building strong community relationships, empowering faith community services, and becoming a strong witness to the world.