Abstract:
The paper explores "discipleship" in the discipline of "Building up the local church". The empirical research indicates a perceived difference in what it means to be a disciple and what it means to be a Christian with the increasing belief that discipleship is an optional extra to the Christian calling and even a "higher form" of Christian development. The causes of nominal Christianity within Methodism and how this has resulted in a misunderstanding of true discipleship are considered. The paper opens a way forward for the local church to overcome nominal Christianity and to enable the process of making disciples and practising discipleship.
