Discipleship, Suffering and Racial Justice

CONTENTS

About the Book 1
Introduction 3

1 Jesus’ Discipleship Model of Suffering and Sacrifice:
Hallmarks of Discipleship 17

2 The Pandemic Context as a New Paradigm for Mission:
Reflections, Responses and Practical Applications 45

3 Perspectives of Majority World Theologies
on Discipleship and Mission 91

4 Concluding Reflections: Post‐Covid‐19 Church 111

Bibliography 121
About the Author 133
Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World 135

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Israel Oluwole Olofinjana is the new Director of the One People Commission of the Evangelical Alliance. He is an ordained and accredited Baptist minister and has led two multi‐ethnic Baptist churches and an independent charismatic church. He is the founding director of the Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World, a mission network initiative that provides cross‐cultural training to reverse missionaries in Britain.

This book explores the subject of discipleship, suffering and racial justice and what the UK church can learn about these themes from the experiences and theologies of Majority World contexts. It argues powerfully that suffering is relative (relativity of suffering) and develops this as a discipleship theory needed during the pandemic and post‐pandemic context. The book therefore examines post‐colonial contextual theologies rooted in pain and how they can serve the Church during and post pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has been so challenging to us all. In this important book, Israel challenges, encourages, provokes and inspires us all to think and act differently in the days ahead. The questions at the end of each chapter help the reader to ground what they have read in what they are facing in this season too. This is such a timely contribution to the church.
Gavin Calver, CEO, The Evangelical Alliance

Israel’s timely monograph is a powerful and prophetic call to UK churches (and leaders) to embrace the opportunity the Covid‐19 season presents, to reassess discipleship beliefs and practices in light of insights Majority World Christianity brings to the gospel imperatives regarding suffering and sacrifice.
Rev. Dr Kate Coleman, Founder and Co‐Leader, Next Leadership

While much has been written on the theme of discipleship and suffering, very rarely have the issues been addressed in the Western context, from the Majority World theological perspectives, during a pandemic! This book is a must‐read for all, whether from the Global North or Global South.
Loun Ling Lee, Editor of Lausanne Global Analysis