Discipleship

When we hear the word ‘disciple’ our minds often turn to the followers of Jesus or those people who have dedicated their lives to doing God’s work. But what does ‘discipleship’ mean and what does ‘being a disciple’ entail? In this issue our aim is to give you a sample of the different, interesting and varied roles that discipleship takes on board.

We will look at how and if the role has changed since the days of Jesus. How do we respond to the challenges that we face as individuals and communities within the role of being a Christian disciple? Our regular articles remind us that ‘God so loved the world that he gave us his only son’ and of the many women who also worked with and for Jesus.

Our feature articles show how, as Christians, we may have to balance our lives so that our beliefs are not taken over by our secular roles. We try to hold them in harmony with each other and to stand strong when our faith is put to the test. We highlight the plights that are faced by Christians who live in fear throughout the world because of their faith and learn about the role of one minister who has chosen to help people with no place to turn to when destitution takes over their lives. We ask ourselves when have we not spoken out because of our beliefs, or when did we speak out and what was the result?

This issue helps us to think about different forms of discipleship and to look at examples of what it means to be a disciple today.

Volunteer editors: Hyacinth Sweeney-Dixon and Diana Spencer