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DONÁT SÁMUEL GYURKÓ
INTRODUCTION — WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP?
The practical foundational question of Christian discipleship — “How does one
become a disciple of Christ today?” — explores the nature of the disciple’s life
and its practical realization in a modern context. It thus falls under practical
theology, specifically missiology and congregational pedagogy. Based on research
addressing the future of Christianity from the perspectives of congregational
pedagogy and missiology, it can be determined that two opposing processes are
occurring within Christianity. In the Western world, one can observe that the
Church is struggling significantly to engage the younger generation and con¬
temporary communities, showing signs of decline.’ In contrast, in Africa, South
America, and Asia, Christianity exhibits a picture of dynamic development,
typically characterized by a Pentecostal and charismatic emphasis.” Predictions
suggest that Christianity will remain dominant in these areas over the coming
decades and will even experience substantial growth that is not due merely to
demographic characteristics.* This implies that there is still potential within
Christianity to reach new people; however, essential characteristics that would
unlock this potential are missing from current European and Western practices.
Leaders belonging to various denominations have recently started seeking
ways to change church practices in light of these processes. Feeling the neces¬
sity for a cultural shift, new community forms are emerging, and a reimagin¬
ing of older forms has begun to foster a sense of community among those
entrusted to our churches.* This development points toward the concept of
intentional discipleship. In addition to the existing thinking present in histor¬
ical Christian churches, which labels every program and activity of the Church
under the concept of discipleship,° one can discover pathways that consciously
focus on the practical realization of discipleship, reaching and teaching new
individuals entering the community." Upon examining the biblical and
¬
Research on the situation of Christianity in Western Europe and Central Europe. Conrad
Hackett — Alan Cooperman: The Changing Global Religious Landscape, https://www.pewre¬
search.org/religion/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landscape/ (accessed 2 Septem¬
ber 2024).
Research on the religious habits of young people. Stephen Bullivant: Europe’s Young Adults
and Religion 2018, https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/research/centres/benedict-xvi/docs/2018-mar¬
europe-young-people-report-eng.pdf (accessed 3 September 2024).
Key findings from the Global Religious Futures Project. Pew Research Center 2022. December
21, https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/12/21/key-findings-from-the-global-religious¬
futures-project/ (accessed 5. September 2024).
Pängyänszky, Agnes: Kontextudlis kérdésfelvetések a gyiilekezetpedagdgidban. Lelkipdsztor,
2020/5. sz. 173.
Debra Dean Murphy: Discipleship, in. G.T. Kurian — M.A. Lamport: Encyclopedia of Christian
Education. 2015. Rowman & Littlefield, http://site.ebrary.com/id/11054927 (accessed 15 May
2024).
The work of Christian Schwarz, Rick Warren, and Timothy Keller, among others, and the
movements that have developed around them, are of particular significance.
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