DISCIPLESHIP OF INADEQUATELY TRAINED CHRISTIAN WORKERS IN A PERSECUTED SOCIETY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN by ANEEL YOUSAF A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF THEOLOGY at the SOUTH AFRICAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY in APRIL 2006 SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR ARTHUR SONG PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com DECLARATION I hereby acknowledge that the work contained in this dissertation is my own original work and has not previously in its entirety or in part been submitted to any academic institution for degree purposes. ___________________________ Aneel Yousaf 4 April 2006 2 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Acknowledgements I must give thanks to Almighty God who is my Rock, my Defence, my Strong Tower, my Deliverer, and the God who has chosen me to make disciples. I will spend the rest of my days, discipling and winning souls for His own glory. Dedicated to my father William Nasir (late) and my mother Josepheen William, who taught me the principles of life and led me to a relationship with God. 3 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com ABSTRACT This dissertation “Discipleship of Inadequately Trained Christian Workers in a Persecuted Society in Lahore, Pakistan” reveals the crucial need for discipleship training in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. By providing an overview of Lahore and Pakistan in general, as well as examining the grip of a dominant religion, Islam and the effects of Islamic laws on Christianity, this research investigates the challenges Christian workers face as being real thus emphasizing the need for discipleship training. As part of the research, a proposed basic training guide for Christian workers is included which will serve as a good starting point to implement effective discipleship training in their churches. The subject is discussed in the light of the Old and the New Testament references, and in consultation with the relevant Christian scholars as well as my personal observations. I believe that this study will create an impact on the churches in Lahore, Pakistan and around the world in realizing the need for discipleship training and its fruitful effects in our modern age. 4 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Table of Contents Page Chapter One: Introduction 12 1.1 The Academic Procedure 12 1.1.1 The Problem Area 12 1.1.2 The Bible Translation 12 1.1.3 Methodology 12 1.1.4 The Key Questions 13 1.1.5 My Aims 13 1.1.6 My Objectives 14 1.1.7 Hypothesis 14 1.1.8 A Personal Perspective 14 1.2 An Overview of Pakistan 16 1.2.1 Pakistan 16 1.2.2 Pakistani Flag 17 1.2.3 Punjab 18 1.2.4 Lahore 18 1.2.4.1 The Historical Lahore 20 1.2.4.1.1 Lahore Fort 20 1.2.4.1.2 The Mausoleum of Jahangir 20 1.2.4.1.3 The Badshahi Mosque 21 1.2.4.1.4 Shalimar Garden 21 1.2.4.1.5 Old Names of Lahore 21 1.2.4.1.6 Noor Jehan’s Tomb 21 1.2.4.1.7 Thirteen Gates of Lahore 22 1.2.4.2 The Modern Lahore 24 1.2.5 The Lahore Map 25 1.3 People and Population 26 1.3.1 Dravidian 26 1.3.2 Indo-Aryan 27 1.3.3 Greek 27 5 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com 1.3.4 Scythians 28 1.3.5 Huns 28 1.3.6 Arab 29 1.3.7 Mongol 29 1.3.8 Persian 29 1.3.9 Afghan 30 1.4 History and Culture 31 1.4.1 History 31 1.4.2 Culture 32 1.5 Language and Education 34 1.5.1 Language 34 1.5.2 Education 35 Chapter Two: Islam, The Dominant Religion 38 2.1 Rise of Islam in Lahore, Pakistan 38 2.2 Effects of Islamic Laws on Christianity in Lahore 40 2.3 Overt and Covert Persecution 41 2.3.1 What is Persecution? 42 2.3.2 Types of Persecution against Christians in Lahore, Pakistan 43 2.3.2.1 Persecution by the Constitution 43 2.3.2.2 Persecution by Islamic Ordinances 44 2.3.2.2.1 The Blasphemy Laws 44 2.3.2.2.2 Some Victims’ Stories 46 2.3.2.3 Persecution by Police 47 2.3.2.3.1 Evangelist Mukhtar Masih 47 2.3.2.3.2 Pastor Arther Salim 48 2.3.2.4 Persecution by Hudood 49 2.3.2.5 Persecution of Women 51 2.3.2.6 Persecution by Destroying Christian Property 52 2.3.2.6.1 St. Peter’s Church 52 2.3.2.7 Persecution by Judiciary Law 53 2.3.2.7.1 The Shariat Courts 53 2.3.3 Law of Blasphemy and Religious Apartheid in Lahore, Pakistan 54 2.4 How does the Bible explain Persecution? 57 6 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Chapter Three: Inadequately Trained Christian Workers 63 3.I The History of Christian Workers in Lahore, Pakistan 63 3.1.1 The Number of Christian Workers in the Population 63 of about 6.5 million in Lahore 3.1.2 Who Labeled them as Pastors? (Literate pastors but with no 64 theological education / training) 3.1.3 Who Licensed them to be Pastors, and of which Denominations 64 or Churches are they? 3.2 The Challenges of Christian Workers 65 3.2.1 Interpretation of the Word 65 3.2.2 Knowledge of the Word of God 68 3.3 The History of Christianity in Lahore, Pakistan 69 3.3.1 The Pioneer Missionary Work 70 3.3.1.1 The Early Church Fathers’ Witnesses 71 3.3.2 How did the First Church Start in Lahore? 72 3.3.3 How were the First Churches Funded? 74 3.3.4 Who were Some of the Early Converts? 75 3.3.5 The State of “Modern” Churches in Lahore Today 78 3.4 Knowledge of Christian Theology 79 3.4.1 History of Theology: an Introduction 79 3.4.2 Systematic Theology: an Introduction 80 3.4.3 Biblical Theology: an Introduction 80 3.4.3.1 Knowledge to Handle Heresies 81 3.4.4 Pastoral or Practical Theology: an Introduction 82 3.4.4.1 Shepherding (caring and counseling) 83 3.4.4.2 Conflict Management 84 3.5 Why is the Need of Discipleship Training for Christian Workers 85 in Lahore so Urgent? 7 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Chapter Four. The Discipleship Process 86 4.1 What is Discipleship? 86 4.2 Discipleship Training in the Old Testament 87 4.3 Discipleship Training in the New Testament 89 4.3.1 Christ’s Discipleship Methods 90 4.3.1.1 Jesus in the Gospels 91 4.3.1.2 Jesus Equipped His Disciples for Church Planting 92 4.3.2 Paul’s Discipleship Methods 93 4.3.2.1 Concepts and Considerations for Church Leadership 94 Training 4.3.2.2 Discipling and Training 94 4.3.2.3 Paul’s Strategy is to Train Disciples and Disciples 95 as Leaders 4.4 The Need for Training- a Scriptural Mandate- “To Make Disciples” 99 4.5 What is the Goal of Christian Discipleship? 100 4.5.1 The Call to the Ministry 103 Chapter Five: Field Research 105 5.1 Methodology of Research 105 5.2 Field Research Questions 106 5.3 Field Analysis 108 5.3.1 Pakistani Educational Standard 108 5.3.2 Ministry Background 108 5.3.3 Culture versus Bible 109 5.3.4 Understanding of the Proclamation of the Word 109 5.3.5 Scriptural Guidance 110 5.3.6 Church Management 110 5.3.7 Initial Calling 111 5.3.8 Obstacles 111 5.3.9 Gifts 112 5.3.10 Training and Equipping 112 5.3.11 Growth as a Christian 112 5.3.12 General Comments 113 8 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Chapter Six: Proposed Basic Training Guide For Christian Workers 116 6.1 Biblical Studies 116 6.1.1 Chronological Study of the Bible 116 6.1.2 Survey of the Old and the New Testament 117 6.2 Systematic Studies 120 6.2.1 The Doctrine of the Trinity 120 6.2.1.1 God the Father 120 6.2.1.1.1 Attributes of God the Father 121 6.2.1.2 God the Son 121 6.2.1.2.1 Realities about Jesus 122 6.2.1.2.2 The Deity of Christ 122 6.2.1.2.3 Christ’s Moral Attributes 122 6.2.1.2.4 Humanity of Christ 122 6.2.1.2.5 Jesus’ Teaching and His Relationship with People 123 6.2.1.3 God the Holy Spirit 124 6.2.1.3.1 Essential Attributes 125 6.2.1.3.2 Moral Attributes 125 6.2.1.3.3 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Growth 125 6.2.2 The Doctrine of the Church 126 6.2.2.1 The Nature and Purpose of the Church 126 6.2.2.1.1 Jesus’ Declaration 127 6.2.2.1.2 Universal Church 128 6.2.2.1.3 Local Church 128 6.2.2.1.4 The Composition of the Church 129 6.2.2.1.5 The Biblical Models of the Church 129 6.2.2.1.5.1 The People of God 129 6.2.2.1.5.2 The Body of Christ 129 6.2.2.1.5.3 The New Israel 129 6.2.2.1.5.4 The Household of God 130 6.2.2.1.5.5 The Bride of Christ 130 6.2.2.1.5.6 An Army 130 6.2.2.2 The Organization of the Church 130 6.2.2.2.1 Autocratic Government (Episcopal) 131 6.2.2.2.2 Oligarchic Government (Presbyterian: Elders) 131 9 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com 6.2.2.2.3 Democratic Government (Congregational) 132 6.2.2.3 The Ordinances and Sacraments of the Church 133 6.3 Understanding Different Ministries and Ministry Gifts 136 6.3.1 Ministry Gifts 136 6.3.1.1 Elders 137 6.3.1.2 Deacons / Deaconesses 138 6.3.2 Christian Fellowship 139 6.3.3 A Servant Attitude 139 6.3.4 The Most Important Gift 140 6.3.5 Men and Women in Ministry 141 6.4 The Making of Disciples 143 6.4.1 Existing or Growing 143 6.4.2 No Discipleship without Submission 144 6.4.3 Teaching and Learning 144 6.4.4 Teaching the Process of Evaluation 145 6.4.5 Pakistani Culture and the Teaching of the Bible 146 6.4.6 Visitation 147 6.4.7 Accountability 148 6.4.8 Multiplication of Workers 150 6.4.9 Understanding Missions 151 6.4.10 World Religions 152 6.5 Christian Maturity 153 6.5.1 Prioritizing Jesus in our Families 154 6.5.2 Prioritizing Jesus in our own Life 155 6.5.3 Giving all our Possessions 155 6.5.4 Faith 156 6.5.5 Spiritual Warfare 157 6.5.6 Evangelism and Follow-up 158 6.6 Practical Theology 159 6.6.1 Worship and Prayer 159 6.6.2 Church Management 161 6.6.2.1 Core Values and Mission 161 6.6.2.2 Membership Records 162 6.6.2.3 Correspondence and Publications 162 10 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com