Consultation – V

 Whole-Life Discipleship Follow-up Consultation – V – (Lahore Chapter)

14th April 2025

Collaborative Partners

LORD’S HOME & Faith2Share & Evangelical Alliance Pakistan

In addition to the main Consultation on 15-17 Nov 2022 and the following post-consultation event on 8th October 2024, LORD’S HOME conducted a follow-up consultation on 14 April 2024 in Lahore. This gathering brought together previous participants from all past WLD consultations to reflect on progress, monitor the implementation of agreed discipleship strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness. During this session, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on all seven spheres of discipleship—Family, Religion, Education, Government, Economy, Media, and Arts/Culture—exploring how each can be influenced by intentional, contextual Christian witness in Pakistan. The consultation also welcomed a few new ministry partners, expanding the network and enriching the dialogue with fresh perspectives and collaborative potential.

2. Event Preparation

 Goals of the Post-Consultation Event

1. Review and Monitor Progress

·       Evaluate the implementation success of strategies discussed in previous consultations.

·       Reflect on what has worked well and identify challenges and areas needing improvement in various ministry contexts.

2. Strengthen Engagement Across All 7 Spheres of Discipleship

·       Facilitate in-depth discussions around the seven key spheres:
Family, Religion, Education, Economy, Government, Media, and Arts/Culture.

·       Identify practical, contextual ways in which Christian leaders and ministries can impact each sphere.

3. Reconnect and Recommit

·   Bring together previous participants for mutual encouragement, peer accountability, and sharing of field experiences.

·   Reaffirm the shared vision and long-term commitment to Whole-Life Discipleship in Pakistan.

4. Welcome and Integrate New Partners

·       Introduce new ministry partners to the WLD framework and encourage their active participation.

·       Facilitate networking between old and new participants to broaden collaboration and reach.

5. Plan for Coordinated Future Steps

·       Define next steps for collaboration, training, and resource development.

·       Discuss strategies for regional implementation, ongoing mentorship, and future events.

 Event Preparations:

The preparation for the 14 April 2024 follow-up consultation was carried out successfully and collaboratively. A significant and encouraging aspect of this event was that local ministry partners took a lead role in the arrangements, in close coordination with the LORD’S HOME team. This shared responsibility not only strengthened partnerships but also enhanced ownership of the Whole-Life Discipleship (WLD) vision at the grassroots level.

Local ministries were actively involved in planning, logistics, and mobilizing participants, and even contributed towards the funding and practical execution of the event. The LORD’S HOME team provided overall coordination, guidance, and facilitation support to ensure the objectives of the event were met. This collaborative approach demonstrated the growing maturity and commitment of local partners to advance discipleship across all spheres of society.

Overall, the preparations were adequate, timely, and reflected a strong spirit of unity and shared mission.

Event Logistics

The attendance:

• Yes, 50 Leaders from 31 organisations have participated.
• The list of participants is attached to this report.
• The list of organisations and Churches that participated has been attached to the report.

The meeting room and equipment:

The meeting rooms and equipment were generally adequate, supporting the flow of the event. The choice of venue—Hotel D Gates, Lahore—was appropriate and well-suited for the size and purpose of the gathering.

Strengths Noted:

·       Meeting Space: The main meeting hall was spacious, clean, and provided a comfortable environment for group sessions and plenary discussions.

·       Seating and Arrangement: The seating setup allowed for effective interaction among participants, with space for breakout groups and open sharing.

·       Audio-Visual Equipment: Basic equipment, such as a projector, screen, microphones, and speakers, was available and functioned properly, ensuring that presentations and discussions could be followed clearly.

·       Power Backup: Electricity backup was available, minimizing disruptions during sessions.

The presentations and presenters:

The presentations during the follow-up consultation on 14 April 2024 were insightful, engaging, and well-received by all participants. Each session contributed meaningfully to the overall theme of Whole-Life Discipleship, with presenters offering both theological depth and practical application.

🔹 Devotion by Rev. Robin Qamar

Rev. Robin Qamar, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, opened the consultation with a powerful devotion focused on the biblical foundation and urgency of discipleship. His message emphasized the personal and communal call to follow Christ wholeheartedly in every aspect of life, setting a spiritually reflective tone for the entire gathering.

🔹 Key Presentation by Raja Shaleem (CEO – LORD’S HOME)

Raja Shaleem delivered a comprehensive and visionary presentation on the background and development of the Whole-Life Discipleship (WLD) initiative. He gave a theological and contextual interpretation of the 7 spheres of discipleship and highlighted the role of a modern-day disciple of Jesus in Pakistan. His session provided a clear framework and strategy for how churches and ministries can implement a holistic discipleship model within their communities.

Both presenters were well-prepared and spoke with passion and clarity. Their contributions helped anchor the event spiritually and strategically, equipping participants with both conviction and direction.

Performance of Ministry Team Members

Strong Team Coordination:

The LORD’S HOME team and local ministry partners worked together seamlessly, demonstrating excellent communication and unity.

Shared Responsibilities:
Tasks were distributed effectively among team members—including logistics, registration, hospitality, facilitation, and media support.

Leadership & Facilitation:
Several team members led sessions, facilitated group discussions, and provided spiritual direction, creating a dynamic and interactive environment.

Empowering Local Ministries:
Local ministry leaders were actively involved in both preparation and execution, fostering ownership and local leadership development.

Servant-Hearted Attitude:
The team served humbly and passionately, ensuring all participants felt welcomed, heard, and spiritually encouraged.

Modelling Discipleship Values:
The ministry team embodied the very principles of Whole-Life Discipleship, setting an example through their unity, commitment, and faithfulness

4. Event Reflection

Meeting the GOALS:

·       Yes, the primary goals of the follow-up consultation were effectively met.
The event successfully provided a platform to reconnect with previous participants and review the implementation progress of Whole-Life Discipleship (WLD) strategies.

·       Review and Reflection:
Participants had the opportunity to reflect on how far they’ve come since the 2022 consultation and share personal and organizational growth in discipleship.

·       Mutual Learning and Sharing:
Ministries shared their practical initiatives, challenges, and breakthroughs in applying the 7 spheres of discipleship within the Pakistani context.

·       Inspiration and Motivation:
New ideas, testimonies, and group discussions reignited commitment among participants to continue working in their communities with intentional discipleship efforts.

·       Collaboration and Networking:
The event strengthened relationships among ministries and encouraged future collaboration through regional hubs, prayer networks, and shared strategies.

·       Next Steps Identified:
Concrete plans were discussed, including strategies for ongoing follow-up, resource development, and local leadership engagement.

How Participants Relate This Topic to Pakistani Culture and the Christian Community

·       Contextual Relevance:
Participants recognized that discipleship must be rooted in local realities—addressing the cultural, social, and religious challenges faced by Christians in Pakistan.

·       Family as Foundation:
Many emphasized that in Pakistani culture, family plays a central role, making it a strategic and natural starting point for discipleship efforts.

·       Education as Influence:
Christian schools and teachers were seen as key influencers in shaping faith and character among the younger generation, especially in minority settings.

·       Religious Identity and Minority Status:
Participants highlighted the need for theological clarity and courage in living out Christian identity in a multi-religious and sometimes hostile environment.

·       Challenges of Marginalization:
The group acknowledged that discipleship must also equip believers to deal with issues like discrimination, lack of opportunities, and restricted expression of faith.

·       Emphasis on Practical Faith:
There was a strong call to move beyond theoretical teaching to a lifestyle of discipleship that can be modeled in daily life—at home, school, church, and work.

·       Need for Unity and Collaboration:
Participants expressed a desire for more united efforts across denominations and ministries to respond collectively to the cultural and spiritual needs of the nation.

·       Culturally Appropriate Communication:
The importance of using local languages, stories, and illustrations in discipleship materials was highlighted as vital to effective engagement.

    V.         Outcomes of the Consultation:

·       Reinforced Commitment to Whole-Life Discipleship (WLD):
Participants affirmed the need to intentionally pursue discipleship in all areas of life—especially the seven key spheres relevant to the Pakistani context.

·       Strengthened Focus on the Family Sphere:
Many ministries reported taking steps to start or strengthen Church Family Committees, and to encourage spiritual practices within households.

·       Advancement in the Education Sphere:
Teachers and education leaders committed to integrating a biblical worldview into classrooms and school culture, and to view themselves as disciple-makers.

·       Deeper Theological Engagement in the Religion Sphere:
Churches are now more intentional in shaping a clear Christian identity within a multi-faith society and training members for graceful, faithful witness.

·       Formation of Collaborative Plans:
Practical next steps were outlined for:

·       Launching Regional Family Coalitions

·       Developing the Christian Science Research Center

·       Coordinating mission efforts under the theme “Reaching the Unreached Together”

·       New Ministry Partners Engaged:
The consultation welcomed several new participants who showed strong interest in adopting WLD strategies and collaborating in future initiatives.

·       Localization of Discipleship Strategy:
Discussions led to a better contextual understanding of how WLD and its seven spheres apply within the cultural and social dynamics of Pakistan.

·       Actionable Follow-up Plans Created:
Plans were set in motion for ongoing online engagement, resource sharing, and local leadership development through regional hubs.

 VI.         Additional Comments for the Report:

 Achievements:

·       Successfully reconnected with original consultation participants and expanded the network with new ministry partners.

·       Ministries shared tangible progress in implementing Whole-Life Discipleship within their communities.

·       Clear next steps were identified for strategic areas such as family discipleship, Christian education, and mission to unreached people groups.

·       Introduction of the Christian Science Research Center as a forward-thinking initiative bridging faith and science.

·       Strengthened partnerships and unity across denominational and ministry lines.

Advantages:

·       Follow-up format allowed for real-time progress review and accountability.

·       Inclusion of local ministry leaders in event organization enhanced ownership and sustainability.

·       Contextual focus on the 7 spheres of discipleship made the content highly relevant and practical for the Pakistani church.

·       Provided a platform for mutual encouragement, inspiration, and collaboration among ministries.

·       Event served as a catalyst for new ideas and strategic discipleship planning at grassroots and city levels.

Challenges:

·       Limited time restricted deeper engagement with each of the 7 spheres.

·       Some participants, especially new ones, needed more background to fully grasp the vision and framework.

·       Resource limitations (financial and logistical) affected the scale and outreach potential of the event.

·       Need for a more structured system to track and support ongoing implementation efforts.

·       Cultural and security constraints continue to challenge outreach and discipleship efforts in some regions.

 VII.          Mechanism and Planner for Ongoing Progress and Follow-Up Strategy

 To ensure the long-term impact of Whole-Life Discipleship (WLD) and the implementation of strategies discussed during the consultations, the following mechanisms have been developed:

🔹 1. Online Engagement & Social Media Strategy

Objective: Strengthen continuous learning, connection, and collaboration through digital platforms.

·       Webinars & Online Gatherings:

o   Host regular sessions (Zoom/Facebook Live) to discuss progress and share teachings on discipleship.

·       Resource Sharing:

o   Create and distribute articles, videos, devotionals, and discipleship tools.

o   Maintain an online resource library accessible to all ministry partners.

·       Peer Support Groups:

o   Set up WhatsApp or Slack groups for discussion, encouragement, and real-time problem-solving.

·       Celebrating Progress:

o   Feature success stories, ministry highlights, and testimonies to encourage others and build momentum.

🔹 2. Regional Hubs and Local Focal Leaders

Objective: Establish localized leadership and discipleship ecosystems to sustain movement across Pakistan.

·       Formation of Hubs:

o   Initiate regional hubs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other key areas.

o   Use hubs as centers for meetings, training, and resource dissemination.

·       Focal Leaders:

o   Appoint local coordinators who will provide leadership and act as connectors between the network and regional ministries.

o   Provide these leaders with leadership training and mentoring support.

·       Localized Initiatives:

o   Design context-based discipleship initiatives addressing region-specific needs, such as youth outreach, parenting, or interfaith witness.

🔹 3. Collaboration & Mentorship Network

Objective: Facilitate continuous growth and development among ministry leaders.

·       Mentorship Programs:

o   Connect experienced leaders with younger or emerging leaders for guidance and accountability.

·       Cross-Hub Learning:

o   Encourage sharing of strategies and reports between regional hubs to promote unity and innovation.

·       Training-of-Trainers (TOT):

o   Organize periodic TOT events to equip leaders with tools for discipleship, facilitation, and multiplication.

🔹 4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Objective: Track progress, evaluate outcomes, and refine strategies for greater impact.

·       Quarterly Progress Reviews:

o   Use short surveys and online check-ins to track implementation of plans and identify gaps.

·       Feedback Collection:

o   Gather input from regional leaders and participants to improve future gatherings and resources.

·       Annual Gathering:

o   Host an annual in-person or hybrid gathering to reflect on collective progress and refocus vision.

Testimony 1: Rev. Joseph Iqbal — Faisalabad

“Attending the Whole-Life Discipleship Consultation in 2022 was a turning point for me and my church. For years, we focused only on Sunday services, but through this consultation, I realized discipleship must touch every sphere of life. Since then, we’ve established a Church Family Committee that supports parents in leading spiritual practices at home.

At the follow-up event in April 2024, I was amazed to see how others were progressing, and I shared how we began weekly ‘Family Nights’ where Scripture is taught at home, not just in church. We’ve also begun connecting with schools in our area to influence the education sphere and train teachers to disciple students. This initiative has strengthened our witness and deepened faith in our community.”

Testimony 2: Shazia — Women’s Ministry Leader, Lahore

“The 2022 WLD consultation helped me see that women and families play a vital role in shaping future generations of disciples. I was especially inspired by the vision of discipling through the family and education spheres. After returning, I started a small group with mothers in my community to teach them how to do Bible studies with their children and pray together at home.

At the 2024 follow-up consultation, I shared how these mothers are now leading their small groups! I also learned more about integrating biblical worldview into education and have begun volunteering at a local school to support Christian teachers. The 7-sphere model has completely reshaped how I see ministry—discipleship isn’t one part of life, it’s a way of life.”