BY : Christian Today Staff Writer
A respected Bible teacher has challenged Christian leaders across Asia to place personal discipleship back at the centre of ministry, warning that organisational success should never replace investing in the spiritual growth of individuals.
Speaking at the Asia Conference on Church and Mission (ACCM) in Manila on 10 June, Rev. C.B. Samuel called on church and ministry leaders to examine whether they are actively helping others grow in their faith.
Addressing delegates during the conference’s closing evening session, Samuel said discipleship is not simply a programme or ministry strategy but a commitment to sharing one’s life with others.
“Discipleship is about investing deeply in people,” he told attendees, stressing that Christian leaders should be able to identify those they are personally mentoring in the faith.
Samuel began by reflecting on difficult periods in his own spiritual journey. He pointed to the Psalms of lament, noting that many biblical psalms express grief, struggle and dependence on God. He suggested that modern Christian worship music often fails to reflect the real-life challenges faced by many believers.
He encouraged churches to create worship and ministry that connect with the everyday experiences of people, including their suffering and prayers for God’s help.
A major focus of his message was accountability in discipleship. Samuel shared examples of Christian leaders who expected ministry workers to regularly identify individuals they were personally discipling. He argued that leadership should not be separated from the responsibility of helping others mature spiritually.
According to Samuel, being unable to point to people currently being discipled should cause Christian leaders to reconsider their priorities.
Drawing lessons from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, he outlined six qualities that he believes are essential for effective disciple-makers.
The first was courage. Samuel said the Apostle Paul continued preaching despite persecution and hardship, demonstrating the willingness to take risks for the sake of the Gospel.
The second quality was integrity. He warned against self-promotion, hidden motives and the misuse of ministry positions for personal gain. Christian leaders, he said, must demonstrate honesty and godly character because those they mentor are likely to follow their example.
Third, Samuel highlighted the importance of genuine care for others. Referring to Paul’s description of nurturing believers like a caring mother, he said discipleship requires openness, hospitality and a willingness to share life with people beyond formal church activities.
The fourth characteristic was diligence. Samuel stressed that disciple-making demands commitment, sacrifice and availability to support others through different stages of life and faith.
Fifth, he pointed to personal character, describing holiness, righteousness and blameless conduct as essential qualities for Christian leaders. He said believers must maintain a strong relationship with God, live faithfully within the Christian community and uphold a good reputation before the wider public.
Finally, Samuel spoke about the importance of having a father’s heart – encouraging, guiding and supporting those being discipled as they seek to follow Christ.
As he concluded, Samuel invited delegates to reflect prayerfully on their own ministry. He challenged them to consider whether they could identify people they were currently helping to grow spiritually and encouraged them to recommit themselves to that calling.
He reminded attendees that while leadership positions and organisational achievements have their place, the lasting measure of Christian ministry is found in faithfully making disciples.
The Asia Conference on Church and Mission brought together evangelical leaders from across Asia and other regions under the theme, “Disciple or Die”, focusing on the urgent need for churches to strengthen disciple-making in the modern world.
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