Stories

‘We need to respect others and approach them sensitively, ready to listen but always ready to share the unique reality of Jesus Christ’, said one of the participants of this week’s Faith2Share Whole-life discipleship consultation in Sri Lanka. On an island with bitter memories of the recent civil war nobody wants to rock the boat but they also have a story to tell about God’s power to change situations. That story needs to be told with sensitivity so that Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim neighbours can hear the love behind the words.

Sponsored by the Anglican Inland Missionary Society (AIMS), a member of Faith2Share, the consultation brought together 27 participants from Anglican, Methodist, Assemblies of God and other backgrounds to explore how mission and church leaders can help Sri Lankan Christians live “lives shaped by Jesus” – whole-life discipleship. Three days were spent exploring what this means in the family context, in the workplace and in the wider community. Addressing the gathering on the first day Bishop Dhiloraj Canagasebey (of Colombo) called for “intentionality” in discipleship, saying that if we do not intentionally make new disciples the church will not grow and the community will not be transformed by the values of God’s kingdom.

Faith2Share brought to this consultation a facilitation team which included the former General Secretary - and his wife - of the Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM), the director of New Life for India, an archdeacon and his wife from West Malaysia and two Faith2Share staff. Future Faith2Share Whole-life consultations are being considered for Columbia, Jamaica, Malawi and DR Congo.

• Networks

  • Anglican Inland Missionary Society

• Country

  • Sri Lanka

• Continent

  • Asia

• Issues

  • Discipleship