Anything less is not worthy of God’s vision and calling for us!

The Higher Ground
In this light, I was reflecting on what it takes to make disciples in the context of our contemporary fast-changing world. In May 2005, Lord-willing, I will share these reflections at our next IDMC conference.

The conference theme is “Taking The Higher Ground";. What would biblical discipleship look like in a post-modern world? How are we to be in the world, and yet not of the world? Biblical discipleship must be founded on a biblical worldview.

The Challenge Before Us
Post-modernism is complex. More than just a historical periodisation, it is both a philosophical ideology and more challengingly, a cultural mood. In contemporary Christian discipleship, post-modernism is a prevailing worldview and mood that must be understood and biblically responded to. Our worldview defines the way we think and live.

Post-modernism is, therefore, a challenge we cannot afford to ignore. It inadvertently affects how we live out our Christian calling in the world. And how we disciple others! Ideologies have a profound impact upon discipleship.

A New Era
A new era of biblical discipleship is dawning. One that intentionally shapes culture rather than being one that is inadvertently shaped by it. The key to this is knowing God. After all, the essential call of God is to know Him!

Knowing God – in the three grand dimensions of knowing His character (who God is), His counsel (what God has revealed) and His calling (what God requires of us) – is the key towards such a biblical discipleship.

Discipleship: From Default To Design
Discipleship by default is a "monkey see, monkey do"; kind of discipleship. This is not wrong of itself – it is a beginner’s level, a baby step. But if it permeates the entire church culture, it is a default.

Discipleship by design is purpose-driven and reflective. It produces thinking Christians. Intentionality and insight are the operative watchwords. Like the famed sons of Issachar, these are disciples who “understand the times and what (the church) must do"; (1 Chronicles 12:32).

As we enter 2005, I want to lead our church to examine these pertinent issues. Come January, the pulpit series on Romans will be preceded by a short series on discipleship (and missions) in practical arenas of marketplace discipleship, such as discipleship and work, life management, money, and family etc. We are to be disciples by design, not default!

Practice The PDA
This is practical discipleship where the rubber meets the road. It is anchored in God’s unchanging Word and in His calling for the Christian in the world. Being faithful in these basics, we can then be at the cutting edge for fulfilling the core mission of His church.

Thus, let's "keep PDA"ing for Jesus – walking in Personal revival, Divine appointments and Active obedience. Read on in the following pages about how PDA has changed lives when Covenanters stepped out in faith!

May the Lord grant you a great year ahead of divine appointments, divine encounters and spiritual growth. Together, let us discover the way of the higher ground. And welcome a new era of biblical discipleship!

May your lives be marked by authentic discipleship and intentional disciplemaking, so that we may arise and build towards a disciplemaking church!