‘Discipleship Is …’ 60+ Leaders on Discipleship

Lindy Lowry —  June 13, 2013

For the last several months, Exponential has been asking church and network leaders to share their definition of discipleship and identifying quotes from venerable voices to help elevate the discipleship conversation. Each issue of our weekly e-newsletter, Church Planter Weekly, has featured a leader’s definition in the “Discipleship Is…” section.. Below is the collection of quotes we’ve gathered from more than 60+ leaders, including local church practitioners and venerable voices such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, Oswald Chambers and more. We need your voice. Click here to share your definition. Each week, we’ll add more responses to the growing collection.

“Discipleship is not about learning more. It’s about discovering and developing the reason why you were created. God designed the process to involve other people, and that’s why discipleship is ultimately about connecting with someone who will help you connect with God for the purpose of fulfilling your God-given destiny.” Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands
“Discipleship is about living out of the overflow of God’s love and grace for our lives by pouring into others.It’s life on life, spiritual mentoring that invites someone else to follow Christ with us. Discipleship leverages the power of God working through us to equip others.” Efrem Smith, Evangelical Covenant Church leader
 “A disciple is one who thinks, feels and acts like Jesus Christ. It is being conformed to the image of Christ as Romans 8:28-29 states–that God’s No.1 purpose in our lives is to make us like Jesus.” Rick Warren, pastor, author

“Discipleship is becoming more and more like Jesus and letting Him live His life more and more in me.” Alan Hirsch, author, missiologist
“I believe discipleship, at its essence, is finding someone a few steps in front of you on the spiritual journey and following them.” Paul Williams, author, leader with The Orchard Group
“Discipleship is simply answering the call of Christ to, “Go and make disciples. I define discipleship as an organic process of helping others become and continue to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is not a program that has a beginning and an ending point.” Winfield Bevins, author, pastor and church planter

“Simply, discipleship is a follower of Jesus encouraging others to be followers of Jesus.” Neil Cole, author 

“Discipleship is an intentional process where one believer engages one or more younger believers helping them process and discover their next steps spiritually in becoming more like Christ.” Mac Lake, visionary architect for The Launch Network
“Discipleship is rooted in a deep belief in the universal reign of God through Christ. To be a disciple is to acknowledge that reign and to embrace the lifelong journey of submitting more and more of every aspect of your life to His good, just, and peaceable reign, as well as alerting others to God’s kingship by both word and deed.” Michael Frost, missiologist, author
“Discipleship is the process of becoming a genuine follower of Jesus Christ. We don’t complete the process this side of eternity, but it is a continual learning of who Jesus is and striving to be like Him. Discipleship combines teaching, studying, circumstances of life and Holy Spirit revelation to transform us into His image.”  Ron Edmondson, pastor and thought leader
“Discipleship is the art and science of helping people find, follow and fully become like Jesus. Discipleship happens as God’s people show love, share truth and live life with one another, making new disciples along the way.-Brandon Cox, church planter, pastor
“Discipleship is not knowing more information about Jesus, but knowing Jesus and being transformed into His image through the constant exposure of the Gospel of grace in the context of a local church.His life becomes ours. His mission becomes ours.” Derwin Gray church planter, pastor
“Discipleship is the process of moving from unbelief to belief about what is true of Jesus and the Gospel, in absolutely every area of life. Caesar Kalinowski, GCM Collective Director, author
“I don’t know if discipleship is ever complete, but discipleship is well on its way when the one who is mentored, in turn, mentors someone else.” Tom Nebel, director of church planting, Converge Worldwide
“Discipleship is helping each other belong in a healthy relationship with God through proclaiming and modeling the Gospel; equipping each other to become more like Jesus through the study of His Word and experiencing biblical Community; and holding each other accountable to bless His Kingdom and our world through sharing, serving and giving of ourselves.” Shawn Lovejoy, pastor, author
“Discipleship is all about taking our next steps toward Jesus. We become more of who Christ designed us to be. We engage his mission. For me, discipleship has primarily happened through mentors, spiritual disciplines and serving others.” Tony Morgan, author, leadership coach 

“A disciple is an apprentice learning a trade. For Christians, it means growing to be more like Jesus and helping others to do the same. I prefer to translate the Greek word for disciple as ‘an apprentice’ rather than ‘a learner.’ We have too much of the head in Christianity and not enough of the heart.”                  Bill Easum, pastor, coach, consultant

“Discipleship is life on life transformation. Jesus’ purpose was to build into the lives of a small group of people so that His mission to bring the kingdom would be carried on their shoulders. In the same way, we are to build into others, discipling them the way Jesus did.” Kim Hammond, Forge America leader

“Disciples make disciples. Anything less is a cheap Gospel.”Jen Hatmaker, author, speaker, church planter

“In its simplest form, discipleship is becoming more of a disciple. Scripture teaches that God grows us, but we also receive a consistent theme that we place ourselves in the posture to receive the growth that God has for us. So discipleship disciplines (prayer, fasting and reading the Bible) help place us in a position to receive spiritual growth from the Lord, leading us to be more faithful and fruitful disciples.” Ed Stetzer, pastor, author, LifeWay Research President 

“Discipleship is making lifelong, devoted followers of Christ–people who have committed everything they believe and do to what we find in the gospels.” Matt Smay, author and pastor

“When I think of discipleship, I think leadership development. It’s not a phrase directly used in the New Testament, but it epitomized the ministry of Jesus.” Matt Keller, pastor, author

“Discipleship is equipping the individual to live in God’s community.” Randy Frazee, pastor, author

“At its core, Discipleship is Love. Connecting. Connecting With Purpose. First Connecting with Christ; then with others. With a Purpose. A Purpose found in both persons. To grow in Christ. As the first grows, they, in turn, exhort the other to follow.” Pastor Ken Sartain, senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Hughson, California
“Discipleship is the process of exemplifying, in an ever increasing manner, the character, convictions, and conduct of Jesus.” Dr. Daryl Stagg, Director of Missions, Harmony Baptist Association
“Discipleship is bringing someone’s life back into order.” Pastor Rowel A. Violenta, Harvester Church International, Philippines
“Discipleship is life lived together in pursuit of becoming completely ourselves completely in Christ.” Bob Lawler, Director of Missions, Redwood Empire Baptist Association
“Discipleship is the process of maturing into an ever-increasing reflection of the image of God to Christ in everyday worship, to other followers in regular community and to all peoples (near and far) in mission.” Mark Myles, Converge Church, Campbell River, BC

“Discipleship to Jesus Christ is the intentional, communal, lifelong journey of being conformed to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s purpose in the world.” John Herman, Greenbackville, Va.

“Discipleship is encountering truth, experiencing life, and expressing love; beginning with you and continuing through another.” Rusty Miller, Interim Senior Minister, Capitol City Christian Church, Lincoln, Neb.

“Discipleship is a relational process of accompanying another person (as an example, provider of resources, companion or guide) for their spiritual growth, service and testimony in following Jesus where they, in turn, repeat the same pattern with others.” Jim Klaas

“Discipleship is, In every context, sharing my redemptive life with others, surrendered to the Father, empowered by the Spirit.” Jimmy Larkin, Fellowship of Grace, Overland Park, Kan.

“Discipleship is filling the vacancy left when someone accepts Christ as their personal Savior and sweeps clean the garbage of their former life. Unless that life is filled with sacrifice, service and regular communication with God, bad habits will return.”
Ken Hoving, teacher and mentor

“A disciple of Jesus is one who is living his/her life as Jesus would if He were us; given our setting—our family, our friends, our church, our skills, our gifting, our vocation, and our circle of influence.” Steve Palich, director of Ministry Center Development, CMF International

Venerable Voices on Discipleship

“Let us always remember that Christ calls men and women not only to trust Him as Savior, but also to follow Him as Lord. That call to discipleship must be part of our message if we are to be faithful to Him.” the Rev. Billy Graham
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him to come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Never discard a conviction. If it is important enough for the Spirit of God to have brought it to your mind, it is that thing He is detecting. You were looking for a great thing to give up. God is telling you of some tiny thing. At the back of it, there lies the central citadel of obstinacy: I will not give up my right to myself–the thing God intends you to give up if ever you are going to be a disciple of Jesus.” Oswald Chambers
“No man has the mind of Christ, except him who makes it his business to obey Him.” George MacDonald
“It seemed, sometimes, to be rather repelling men than attracting them to say to would-be disciples, “If you will follow me, do this, and do that,”–perhaps, some very trying ordeal; yet that was the Saviour’s usual habit.”  Charles Spurgeon
“Evangelism is the spontaneous overflow of a glad and free heart in Jesus Christ.” Robert Munger

“In our faith, we follow in someone’s steps. In our faith we leave footprints to guide others. It’s the principle of discipleship.”  Max Lucado

“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me. martyred missionary Jim Elliot

“The fruit of my work grows on other people’s trees.” Bob Buford, via video at Exponential 2013

“Christian disciples are sent men and women–sent out in the same work of world evangelism to the which the Lord was sent.” Dr. Robert Coleman
“Until you have given up your self to Him, you will not have a real self.” C.S. Lewis
“Give me 100 men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the Kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.” John Wesley
“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples–students, apprentices, practitioners–of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from Him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.” Dallas Willard

“No one can sum up all God is able to accomplish through one solitary life, wholly yielded, adjusted and obedient to Him.” D.L. Moody

“When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we confess a Christ without a Cross, we are no longer disciples of the Lord. We are mundane.”  Pope Francis at his first mass
“Knowing that we are fulfilling God’s purpose is the only thing that really gives rest to the restless human heart.” Charles Colson
“I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth, and it is: God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.“ John Stott (from the last sermon he preached:”The Model: Becoming More Like Christ”)

“[Jesus'] plan called for action, and how He expressed it predicted its success. He didn’t say “You *might* be my witnesses,” or “You *could* be my witnesses,” or even, “You *should* be my witnesses.” He said, “You *will* be my witnesses.”  Charles Swindoll

“When a person makes a confession of faith and is never taken through a formal discipleship process, there is little hope of seeing genuine spiritual transformation.” Dr. Howard Hendricks

Being the “keeper of the vision” for a new church plant is sometimes a difficult task.

A Church Planter Must Look Fear in the Eye and Rebuke It!

By Sam Douglass Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ~ Isaiah 43:1
READING: I Peter 3:12-17  
Every church planter must learn to look fear in the eye and rebuke it. The Apostle Paul, the great church planter, reminded Timothy, the young lead pastor: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim. 1:7). When an older group of well-intentioned core group leaders calls a meeting to “discuss the direction of the new church,” the church planter must look fear in the eye, cling to his call, and not flinch.
Being the “keeper of the vision” for a new church plant is sometimes a difficult task. It is amazing how many people have hidden agendas or have a wonderful plan for your new church.
When a “big giver” threatens to leave and take his offerings with him if he doesn’t get his way . . . don’t flinch or bat an eye. When a certain worship style is demanded . . . don’t blink! When a stubborn lady threatens to leave the church if her eight-year-old child cannot work in the nursery with her, against leadership policy, hold the back door open for her with a smile! When an off-key soloist wants to be the lead singer or else . . . choose the “or else.” Raising the bar high and striving for excellence is not easy!
In all of this “be gentle, respectful, and not malicious,” displaying the love of our Lord Jesus Christ who knew how to rebuke in love, yet died on the cross for sinners.
Loving Father, Help me to never compromise the vision you have given me for my church plant. In my firmness, demeanor, language and attitude, help me to always show the love of Christ without wavering. Amen. 

Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

Letters from LK10

Dear LK10 Community,

I apologize for not send out a Community Update for several weeks.  Tamela and I were back east for her father's funeral and when we got back I was laid low with a bad cold.  Having said that, I'm excited to share with you some exciting stories this week!

1.  Church 101 Course impacting college students.  Truman Lo (see picture) is a LK10 member and on staff with Cru (for us older folks, this used to be Campus Crusade).  Truman recently posted on our LK10 Forum that he has been helping to lead a Cru Summer Project in Vail, CO.  As part of the discipling process, he is taking these students through our Church 101 Course.  (These students are from California, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Rhode Island.)  Here are some of the amazing comments from these students...

"This is right in line with what I sensed God has been teaching me." 
"This is awesome! I'm making a call tomorrow to the guys I'm rooming with in the fall. We're going to do SASHET."
"I sense God saying I need to start doing this with my dad."
"This doesn't necessarily have to be just for Christians. I sense God saying I need to teach SASHET next year to all my residents as their RA."

Truman goes on:  "I've even had other staff approach me asking, "What's this listening prayer thing I keep hearing about from the students? They keep saying how great it's been."

To read more of what Truman posted and to interact with him, go to  http://lk10.com/community/community-discussion/?cid=23&show=1071

2.  The LK10 Labor Day Conference.  Last year at this time, we had 3 people registered for the Conference.  (We ended up with about 50.)  Today, 49 of you have already registered and we are well on our way to our goal of 100.  Very exciting!

In the video below, Al Paradise shares that last year's Conference was a real turning point in his experience of church.  Al was a seminary graduate and, over the course of 40 years, he had been an elder in five different churches. But, he had become so frustrated at church as he had known it that he and his wife had just stopped going.  Watch this short interview to hear what Al experienced at the Conference.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfUinON94-4

3.  Register here.   If you haven't registered for the Conference yet, go here for all the information and to register:   http://2013lk10conference.eventbrite.com/

If you prefer, you can hold your place with a non refundable, pre-registration fee of only $50/person.  (The remainder is due by August 1.)  Go here:  http://pre-registration2013lk10conference.eventbrite.com/

4.  Who will you invite to the Conference?  Tim Morris has encouraged us to begin praying for those people God has put on our heart to come with us to the Conference.  Share the first names of those you hope to invite and we will join together with you to pray for them.  Share the names in the LK10 Forum here:  http://lk10.com/community/community-discussion/?cid=24&show=1073

Also, feel free to forward this email to friends you are planning on inviting to the Conference.

Questions?  Contact me at:  john.lk10@gmail.com

John

John White
Team Leader
LK10:  A Community of Practice for House Church Leaders
LK10.com

Fighting FROM Victory

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 CORINTHIANS 15:57

Those who embrace the Cross have inherited the victory of Christ over all the works of the devil. This is the spiritual principle. The practical expression of this principle is seen when I demonstrate this victory in the battles of everyday life. If what God says about us is true, then we are not fighting FOR victory, we are fighting FROM victory – and actually, we are not fighting at all; we are merely standing in a victory that was given to us in Christ: “Stand therefore” (Ephesians 6:14).

Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

No church can last if it is isolated from fellowship with others.

Networking with Sister Churches

By Ron Thiesen . . . They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege ofsharing in this service to the saints. ~ II Corinthians 8:4
READING: Acts 15:36
In my years living in Peru as a son of missionary linguists, Wes and Eva Thiesen, and the years of experience as a church planter along the rivers, I have noticed one very important principle. A church must be connected in a living, real way to an organization of churches that will commit to visiting and encouraging each church and leader on a regular basis. I don’t believe there is a single church that can last if it is isolated from fellowship with others.
In our travels we have often found villages and towns that once had a church, but, because they lacked a committed network, they got discouraged and eventually disbanded.
It is one of my highest priorities to establish a network of sister churches that functions well with a vision for the long term. We teach our leaders the value of visiting and encouraging sister churches close by, and even encourage them to visit the ones that are harder to reach.
In our network, the key for me is to invest my life in the individuals that God has sent to work with us. Jorge has a strong calling and love for the people out there on the rivers. He in turn is training, discipling and mentoring a dozen men that each represent a smaller geographical area. In these men and their wives we hope to cultivate that internal, God-given motivation to plant and build in the lives of the church leadership in each of the villages around them.
How related are you to other sister churches? How willing are you to be an encourager to the leadership of other churches?
Father, Please help me to remember that I am part of a larger body of believers who need encouragement and a friendly visit. Amen. 

Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more

Your Jar of Oil

“Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”
2 KINGS 4:2

Every disciple of the Lord Jesus is at a different level of growth and spiritual maturity. But may I say that no matter how long you have walked with the Lord – be it several years or only a day – you have at least one “jar of oil” in your house.

Now what you do with that one jar of oil makes the difference between a victorious life and a defeated life. The single jar of oil is not much in and of itself. It is not sufficient to meet the demands of your creditors, nor is it sufficient to sustain your spiritual life. It is only sufficient when it is poured forth. The one who “saves” his life will lose his life, but the one who “pours out” his life will really have it in abundance.

Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Barnabas was obviously more concerned about exalting Jesus than himself.

The Barnabas Factor: Willingness to Step Aside and Take Second Place

By John Bond The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul . . . As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue . . . ~ Acts 13:7, 42
READING: Acts 13
Perhaps the most amazing thing about Barnabas was his willingness to step aside and take second place. From the beginning it was always Barnabas and Paul – the mentor and the mentored. Then suddenly, in Acts 13 and 14, everything changes. Paul pulls off a powerful miracle and then delivers an anointed and convicting message. From that point on, Paul was the recognized leader of their mission team, expressed in Acts by referring to them as Paul and Barnabas.
Not many people can go graciously from the top-billing to second place. But, apparently, Barnabas had no problem with it. He must have realized that Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said the path to greatness is found in serving others. He must have known that the mission is far more important than our status. But more than just knowing those truths (after all, most pastors and Christian leaders I’ve known would agree in principle), he was willing to live them out.
Barnabas was obviously more concerned about exalting Jesus than himself. He didn’t fight to protect his turf or power, as if it was really his in the first place. He had a passion for expanding God’s kingdom whatever the cost, which explains why God was able to use him to find, train and empower some of the greatest leaders in church history – the kind of leaders the fledgling New Testament church so desperately needed, and the same kind of leaders we still so desperately need today.
Father, Help me focus on you and what is best for your work. Help me to remember ministry is not about me, but what is going to be best for the kingdom. Help me to know when to step aside. Amen. 
Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) “Equips Leaders to Plant 5 Million Churches Worldwide.” Learn more 

Free Guide: Building A Missional Family

 

What does it look like to build a marriage, raise children and build a family around Jesus, the gospel and mission? In this helpful guide you will receive 5 practical resources for building a missional marriage, and 9 practical resources for raising missional children.

P.S. Don’t miss the bonus at the bottom!

(Be sure and bookmark this page and come back to it often as a resource for your marriage and family.)

Building a Missional Marriage

1. The Importance of the Gospel for a Missional Marriage
2. How Marriage Is A Unique Forum For Mission
3. How the Great Commission Affects Your Marriage
4. Has The Great Commission Lost It’s Meaning In Our Families & Culture?
5. How To Make Marriage & Mission One Sphere of Life

Raising Missional Children

1. How To Fit Mission Into Your Schedule
2. How To Disciple Children For Mission
3. How To Make Ministry “Normal” For Your Kids
4. Finding Jesus in the Family Room
5. How To Include Kids in Missional Living
6. How To Raise Kingdom Minded Children
7. How To Disciple Kids In Missional Communities – Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3
8. Children In Your Missional Community
9. Missional Community With Children In Mind

BONUS!

FREE eBook – A Righteous Brood: Making Your Family the Front Line of Mission by Hugh Halter
In this free eBook you will receive:

• A practical guide to making your home the front line of mission
• A behind-the-scenes look at a missional family
• Humorous and insightful stories of balancing real family life with God’s mission

GET YOUR eBOOK

The Power of the Holy Spirit – Jeff Vanderstelt

 
Jeff Vanderstelt describes the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the video he says, “You keep reading in Luke and you find out that Jesus opens up the Scriptures in Isaiah and He says, ‘The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.’
Ever wonder how Jesus spoke with such power and authority? [CLICK TO TWEET]
As He preaches the people that have known Him since He was a little kid go, ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son? What’s up with him?’ Don’t miss it! For thirty years He wasn’t preaching with power and authority. He got the Spirit of God on Him and He’s preaching with power and authority. Why? Because Jesus is showing us how the human life is to be lived!
Jesus is showing us how powerful preaching takes place! Jesus is showing us that when the Spirit of God comes on men and women they can proclaim with power the greatness and goodness of our God in such a way that people will go, ‘who is this?’ And we’ll have to say, ‘It’s not me! It’s Christ in me by His Spirit proclaiming to you! That’s what’s going on.‘
And I wanna offer to you if you want to be affective in proclaiming the Gospel you must be full of the Spirit. You must be anointed by the Spirit.
You don’t just go proclaiming the Gospel with power without the Power! [CLICK TO TWEET]
What are you thinking?  You need to be filled! You need to be led! You need to be anointed…
Intellect alone will not save people! The Spirit must!” [CLICK TO TWEET]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBAvMEs-rxo

5 Tips for Businessmen on Mission – John Quick

 
I’ve owned three businesses in the last few years. I’ve also held a high level executive positions that have had me on the road on a very regular basis. I know from experience that it can be harder to live on mission in everyday life when you are in a different city or country every week on business. Or when you have to run to Costco in the middle of your missional community gathering to grab milk for your coffee shop because they ran out.
I’d like to share a few things with you that were helpful to me when I was on the road and/or very busy at work. Remember, these only apply if you are not working too much or neglecting your relationship with Jesus and your family.

1. Use your gifts and skill sets to benefit your church family. If you own a commercial real-estate business, represent your church family. If you’re an attorney, draft documents they’ll need.  If you own a coffee shop, help your church’s coffee shop become the best coffee shop in town.
2. Mentor and/or coach key leaders in your church family.  If your church family has an elder or deacon that leads in Operations/Finance/HR/Organizational Strategy, these guys are, often, the lone rangers on a church staff team. Identify who these leaders are and offer to meet with them once a month.
3. Your financial gifts are important. If you’re the Vice President of of a large company, you probably won’t be at all the training opportunities, Sunday gatherings or missional community gatherings through the year because you might be closing business deals in Asia or Europe. However, your large paycheck helps support the advancement of the Church’s mission. Please remember to model tithing for your church family every month.
4. Prayer is very important. If you find yourself on many business trips throughout the year, make an effort to press pause on your favorite podcast sermon and and simply pray. Pray for your wife, your kids, your neighbors, elders, deacons, your larger church family, your city, your state, your country, the world, etc.
5. You may not be able to be at all the neighborhood BBQ’s this summer because you are opening a new restaurant or closing a major deal in another state,  but do not let this be an excuse for not living on mission in the everyday life. Your life just looks a little different than the person who works a 9-5 job at the bank down the street. You will get to work with people of influence so be ready and willing to use every opportunity at work to live on mission. Living on mission does not mean you’ll passing out bible tracts before a business acquisition meeting.  Jesus came to serve, not be served. Use this truth as your foundation for making decisions in your job or business.

Be upfront with your family, missional community and church leadership about how much time you are going to be able to invest and how you are plan on using these five things (among other things) to support the work that God is doing in your church family.  Communication is key. If little or nothing is communicated, you may end up feeling guilty for not doing what everyone else is doing. You may become upset with your church family for not understanding and the church will wonder why this person is not all in. However, if you clearly communicate what you are going to do, why you are going to do it, and when you will do it , there will be less room for a mess.
Question: Do you have any other ways you can live on mission everyday as a business leader or executive? Tweet us at @VergeNetwork or comment below.

 

This blog post was adapted from a post written on the Soma Blog. Visit the Soma Blog for more resources and view the original post here.

Why Is Discipleship Important? – Alan Hirsch

 
Alan Hirsch answers, “Why is discipleship important?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ui2e7vzD-E

Dying to Live

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
LUKE 9:23,24

Resurrection Life is that which has died, but now lives. It has the mark of the Cross upon it. It has passed through death once, and death can no more touch it. If we have not already passed through death then we are constantly fearful of dying, but the one who has already died and lives again has nothing more to fear from death. As we are decreased through the daily carrying of our cross, Christ in us is increased, and the strength of His Life is matured through our weakness.

Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Free Guide: Practical Ways To Be Missional

 

Problems fitting mission into your schedule?

Although the word “missional” has become quite a buzzword recently, it really just means that we live every day as missionaries. Jesus said that “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). That word “sent” is where we get the word “missional.” It simply means that we live as Jesus lived – as sent people who live everyday life with gospel intentionality.
But most of the time when we think of living on mission we immediately get the idea of adding events and service projects to an already crammed schedule. Busy schedules seem to keep us shackled and lifeless, keeping us from living out the mission of God in our lives every day. And with more and more calls to live on mission, we are left felling guilty and frustrated.

But is there a better way?

Yes! In fact, most of the simple ideas you’ll find below are very much in the context of your everyday life, but when looked at with a lens of gospel intentionality – when viewed through the eyes of a missionary – become not just ordinary tasks, but eternally significant rhythms of your life that are teeming with gospel opportunity.
The following 17-point guide includes practical examples of simple things you can begin doing to bring gospel intentionality to your schedule. Hopefully as you are reading through these examples it will spark ideas for your own life.
Be sure and bookmark this page and come back to it often as a resource for your missional journey.

1. Life WITH Mission VS Life AS Mission
2. How To Fit Mission Into Your Schedule
3. 10 Practical Ways To Be Missional (Without Adding Anything To Your Schedule!)
4. 5 Practical Ideas to Use Your Meals to Be Missional
5. 5 Practical Ideas to Bless Others
6. 5 Practical Ways To Bless Your Neighbors
7. Practical Ways to be Missional in Your Neighborhood Part 1, Part 2
8. Simple Ways To Share Your Faith
9. 5 Practical Ideas to Be Missional by Celebrating & Suffering with Others
10. 5 Practical Ideas to Be Missional by Listening
11. 5 Practical Ideas to Be Missional by Knowing The Story
12. 4 Vital Questions for Being Missional in the Marketplace
13. 30 Practical Ways to Be Missional in Your Workplace
14. 5 Practical Ideas To Be Missional With Your Work & Rest
15. Practical Ways to be Missional in Your Community & City – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
16. 6 Practical Ways To Use Your Rhythms of Life to Live on Mission
17. The Introverted Evangelist: Living on Mission as an Introvert

BONUS!

• Simple Ways To Be Missional – FREE eBook

25 More Ways To Easily Be Missional In Your Neighborhood

 
Recently, Josh Reeves wrote an article with 25 simple ways to engage your neighbors. Because there was so much interest in the article, we decided to give a follow-up with 25 more ideas to engage with your neighbors.
Here’s a recap of the original article, along with more ways to engage your neighbors:
I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me. Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are already doing. The hope is that we would do these things with Gospel intentionality. This means we do them:

- In the normal rhythms of life pursuing to meet and engage new people
- Prayerfully watching and listening to the Holy Spirit to discern where God is working.
- Looking to boldly, humbly, and contextually proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.

Below is a second list of 25 simple ways to engage your neighbors. Not all of these are for everyone, but hopefully there will be several ideas on the list that God uses to help you engage your neighbors:

1. Cook an extra casserole and give it to a neighbor

2. Buy an extra dozen donuts and give them to a neighbor

3. Start a compost pile and allow neighbors to dump their compost

4. Host a coffee and dessert night

5. Organize and host a ladies craft night

6. Organize an effort for neighbors to help take care of elderly in neighborhood

7. Become a regular at your neighborhood pool/park

8. If you have a skill, let neighbors know that you can use it to help them for free

9. Host a movie night and discussion afterwards

10. Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood

11. Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents

12. Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas

13. Collect good will store items and offer to take them to goodwill

14. Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer

15. Start a sewing group

16. Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood (invite neighbors in on it)

17. Throw a July 4th block party

18. Start a neighborhood Facebook/Twitter/Google + group

19. Ask longtime residents to help you learn about the neighborhood

20. Offer to babysit neighbors kids so they can have a date night

21. Find out your neighbors birthdays and take them a card and baked goods on it

22. Setup a meet your neighbors night with drinks in your driveway/front yard

23. Ask your HOA or apartment complex if they need help with anything

24. Host a regular Saturday morning breakfast potluck

25. Host a sports game watching party

How To Fit Mission Into Your Schedule – Paul Tripp

 
Paul Tripp discusses how to fit mission into your schedule without causing it to become one more thing on the today list for the family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHo4RJ9EUws

25 Simple Ways To Be Missional In Your Neighborhood

 

[ This is a guest post from Josh Reeves. ]

I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me. Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are already doing. The hope is that we would do these things with Gospel intentionality. This means we do them:

• In the normal rhythms of life pursuing to meet and engage new people
• Prayerfully watching and listening to the Holy Spirit to discern where God is working.
• Looking to boldly, humbly, and contextually proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.

Below is a list of my top 25. Not all of these are for everyone, but hopefully there will be several ideas on the list that God uses to help you engage your neighbors. Would love to hear stories of how you have lived some of these out or other ways you have engaged your neighbors.

1. Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard

2. Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood

3. Sit on the front porch and letting kids play in the front yard

4. Pass out baked goods (fresh bread, cookies, brownies, etc.)

5. Invite neighbors over for dinner

6. Attend and participate in HOA functions

7. Attend the parties invited to by neighbors

8. Do a food drive or coat drive in winter and get neighbors involved

9. Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside)

10. Art swap night – bring out what you’re tired of and trade with neighbors

11. Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors

12. Have an Easter egg hunt on your block and invite neighbors use their front yards

13. Start a weekly open meal night in your home

14. Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute

15. Create a block/ street email and phone contact list for safety

16. Host a sports game watching party

17. Host a coffee and dessert night

18. Organize and host a ladies artistic creation night

19. Organize a tasting tour on your street (everyone sets up food and table on front porch)

20. Host a movie night and discussion afterwards

21. Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood

22. Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents

23. Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas

24. Volunteer to coach a local little league sports team

25. Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer

Do you have some other ideas or ways that you or your Missional Community have engaged your neighborhood?

Evangelism In The 21st Century – Tim Keller

 
Tim Keller, founder and senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, talks about evangelism and contextualising the gospel for the 21st century city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHQBoLo31Ns

10 Simple Ways To Be Missional In Your City – (Part 1)

 
Recently, Josh Reeves wrote several great articles with simple ideas and ways you can be missional in your workplace, as well as simple ways to engage your neighbors (Part 1 & Part 2). Josh will continue sharing new ideas in this 5-part series called Simple Ways To Be Missional In Your City.
And although the word “missional” has become quite a buzzword recently, it really just means that we live every day as missionaries. Jesus said that “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). That word “sent” is where we get the word “missional.” It simply means that we live as Jesus lived – as sent people who live everyday life with gospel intentionality.
In fact, most of the simple ideas you’ll find below are very much in the context of your everyday life, but when looked at with a lens of gospel intentionality – when viewed through the eyes of a missionary – become not just ordinary tasks, but eternally significant rhythms of your life that are teeming with gospel opportunity:
Extended Neighborhood – The Regular Spots In Your City:

1. Participate in the local festivals, parades and celebrations of your city.

2. Find a park where you will consistently spend time with your community.

3. Pick a few restaurants to frequent getting to know the staff and regulars.

4. Go to the same coffee shop when you can.

5. Start a regular ultimate Frisbee game in your city.

6. Take the kids to story time at your local library.

7. Let your kids play in the city sports leagues.

8. Attend your city council meetings and get to know what’s going on in your city.

9. Attend your local school board meetings to know what is going on in the schools.

10. Frequent a local gym or recreation center.

Do you have some other ideas or ways that you or your Missional Community have engaged your city?

Gospel, Community, Mission, and Summer – Todd Engstrom

 

Summertime always prompts images of grilling in the backyard, vacation road trips, watching baseball, and adventures in the neighborhood.

In the church, it’s often a season where we “take a break” from ministry and community. I’ve always found that idea somewhat odd when I consider my identity in Christ. I don’t really ever “take a break” for an entire season from my earthly family, so why would I skip out on my spiritual family for three months?
My family rhythm certainly changes in the summer, but it doesn’t disappear entirely. The kids are out of school, and we’re on the go more, but we don’t stop teaching our kids about Jesus and His Word. We certainly don’t cease to be brothers and sisters in Christ with our church family during the summer either.
What if your community continued striving to be a spiritual family this summer, rather than pushing pause?
In my experience, there are a few things that will help a community thrive in a season where many fade away. Here are three ideas to consider implementing:

Gather in new ways.

Because summer is a new season where rhythms change, take the opportunity to change up your gathering. Instead of the regular weekly routine, try gathering on Friday evenings for a BBQ on the deck and some low-key conversation. If you have younger kids, let them have a sleepover and stay up way too late, while the adults enjoy some conversation outside.
Summer is also a great time to connect your community with those who don’t know Jesus. Try gathering at the park or the pool, and intentionally have folks invite their neighbors. We call this a “Third Place” at The Austin Stone, and it’s our primary way of engaging in God’s mission with our community.

Study something new, and in a new way.

Because of vacation schedules and other events, most people will end up attending a group, on average, 6 times over the summer. The flow of a group will inevitably be interrupted. Rather than trying to have a cohesive study plan that requires consistent participation and builds week to week, try something that is a little more self-paced.
I’d recommend using a study that someone can easily do on their own, and then utilize a group gathering time to discuss the takeaways from the material. Focus on questions like “what was the most helpful thing you learned?” and “how did this change the way you interacted with your family/friends/neighbors this week?”
Summer is also a great time to incorporate the use of digital technology to help foster conversation. Rather than depending entirely on the face-to-face gathering, try having an ongoing discussion through email, a Facebook group, or by using church communication software.

Vacation together.

This one requires planning, but it’s the best thing my community does – we enjoy vacation with one another. We’ve done it a number of ways – going to a lake house, road tripping to the mountains, and going to family camp together.
Having our entire families interacting and creating memories with one another fosters such unique and authentic community that it’s compelling for our neighbors who don’t know Jesus.
A week of community vacation also presents an opportunity for more intentional time for discussion, as well as much more informal time for sharing life and dreaming about the future of your community. You can do so much more in one focused week than you can in an entire semester’s worth of group gatherings!

Enjoy your summer to the glory of God.

Summer is a hard time to start new things, but it’s a great time to adapt a lot of your existing practices to the challenges of a summer rhythm. Most importantly, though, is to rejoice in this season that God has graciously given for His glory and our good. Summer is a blessing to be enjoyed, and an opportunity to change up your normal rhythms.
Enjoy it!

3 Simple Ways To Give True Hospitality – Gloria Furman

 
What would our hospitality look like if we believed that Jesus’s death on the cross was the measure of God’s compassion for someone? Oh, how we would seek to serve them with the strength that God provides!
I’ve experienced hospitality from people whose hopes were set on God. Their faith in God’s provision caused them to be truly generous and ready to share whatever they had with us—even their own bed. Our friends, who were new acquaintances at the time, heard that our family would be traveling back and forth to their city on a regular basis.
They were eager to share their apartment with us on those weekends. I remember asking my husband, “But they don’t have a spare room, do they?” His reply was simply, “I think they have that figured out.” Our new friends cheerfully gave our family their bedroom while they bunked in with their two boys on a foldout couch. Over those weekends, on several occasions our hostess even commented, “What a blessing for us! We love having you here, and we love bunking with our boys!”

Rejoice in Jesus’s provision

We were created in Christ Jesus to walk in good works such as showing hospitality (Eph. 2:10), so we should show hospitality in a manner worthy of God’s call. Jesus supplies the agape love we need, and when our souls are satisfied in him, we overflow in love to others. When we love our neighbors in this way, we imitate God and walk in love as Christ has loved us (Eph. 5:1-2). So rejoice in Jesus’s provision of love, and watch how love freely flows from your home to bless any whom God brings across your doorstep.
True hospitality cannot be anything but God-glorifying. God gets the glory when we serve with the strength he provides.
The righteousness of Christ is our hope, as we’ve all missed the mark in his standards of perfect, cheerful giving in hospitality. The joy of Christ will also be our comfort and our delight.

Look to the Lord for your strength

In Nehemiah 8, when Ezra the priest read aloud the Book of the Law to God’s people all morning long, the conviction of their sin pierced their hearts, and they grieved. Every man, woman, and child was weeping. Actually, they were near hysteria. The text says that Nehemiah, Ezra, and all the Levites (priests) had to repeatedly calm them down. What words would comfort such grieving souls who had seen the holiness of God in his perfect law and compared it with their own sinfulness?
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us what Nehemiah said to the people: “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
If the joy of the Lord is the strength of the repentant Israelites, it is true for me, a redeemed child of the Most High. God is not content to merely provide the strength we need for hospitality, but he aims to be our delight as we serve others.
We’re destined for joy forever because of Christ’s exquisite hospitality in opening a way to God through his own body. We can serve others with gladness, knowing that the carrots we peel and the diapers we change are unto the Lord.

See that God is able

When we show hospitality in this way, we can see how “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8). Our role is to serve with the strength God supplies, and it’s God’s role to do with our service whatever he pleases. He supplies the strength, and in his abundant hospitality he also gives us joy! God’s grace in Christ is for us to enjoy and share with others. When I have this grace in mind, I can see my possessions and others’ needs in light of eternity. What’s a coffee filter, really? What is it when compared to Jesus, who is my lasting possession in heaven?
Excerpt modified from Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home by Gloria Furman copyright ©2013. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.org

About The Author

Gloria Furman is a wife, mother of four young children, doula, and blogger. In 2008 her family moved to the Middle East to plant Redeemer Church of Dubai where her husband, Dave, serves as the pastor. She blogs regularly at The Gospel Coalition, Domestic Kingdom, and Desiring God, and is the author of the forthcoming book Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms. Twitter: @gloriafurman

How To Listen To Your Neighborhood – Michael Frost

 

In the video Frost says, “We need to adopt a posture of listening to the neighborhood, or community, or city to which we have been sent. And it is one of the least practiced skills…
We turn up with our pre-fabricated mode of church. We know exactly what ministries or programs we’re going to offer, and we place it in that neighborhood or city whether they want it or like it or not.
But what would be different if we moved closely into intimate relationship with a neighborhood or a city and we adopted a posture where we were listening – genuinely listening – wanting to know what it is that they want or need or in what ways we can in-flesh the Gospel right under their very noses?
We simply want to transplant what we did somewhere else and bring it to your neighborhood whether you like it or not. And those days must be over if we are serious about embracing a missional-incarnational stance.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v2TtyIQ3ous

Free Audiobook: "The Explicit Gospel"

Free Audiobook: "The Explicit Gospel" by Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson

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"Too few people attending church today, even those in evangelical churches, are exposed to the gospel explicitly."

Free Audiobook

Download and share this audibook with your leadership team, The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson.
From Christian Audio, "Recognizing our tendency to fixate on either the micro or macro aspects of the gospel, Chandler also warns us of the dangers on either side--of becoming overly individualistic or syncretistic. Here is a call to true Christianity, to know the gospel explicitly, and to unite the church on the amazing grounds of the good news of Jesus!"
NOTE: This free download expires on June 30, 2013.

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Resource provided by Christian Audio

How Did Jesus Recruit Leaders?

by Mark Howell

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If you're always on the lookout for leaders for your small groups, here's some great biblical insight from Mark Howell.

f you are at all like me…you’re always on the lookout for leaders and leaders of leaders (whether you call them coaches, mentors, community leaders, etc.).  Isn’t that our reality?
In the last few weeks I’ve been studying the gospels, examining them to try and understand the sequence of Jesus’ invitations to the disciples.  Here are three of the things I’ve discovered and three questions that remain:
First Invitation: Many scholars believe that the first recorded encounter that Jesus had with any of the disciples is found in John 1:35-42.  You know the story.  Two of John the Baptists’ disciples, Andrew and Simon, hear him call Jesus “the lamb of God” and follow Jesus.  He turns around and sees them and asks, “What do you want?”  They ask “where are you staying?”  And Jesus says, “Come and see.”
My first question: If you had asked Andrew and Peter what they were doing when they accepted Jesus’ invitation to “come and see,” what would they have said?
Second Invitation: The next invitation seems to happen about a year later.  Found in three of the gospels (Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22, and Luke 5:1-11, this is Jesus’ invitation to Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to fish for men.  In the Luke version of the incident, Jesus uses Peter and Andrew’s boat as a teaching platform and when He finishes teaching the crowd, tells Simon Peter to “put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
You know the story.  They’ve already fished all night and caught nothing.  Peter reluctantly does what Jesus said to do (“because You said so”) and catches such a large catch that the nets begin to break.  They signal their partners (James and John) to come out and help them.  They are all astonished, Peter falls to his knees, and Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid.  From now on you will fish for people.”
They pulled their boats ashore, left everything, and followed Jesus.
My second question: If you had asked Peter and Andrew, James and John what they were leaving their nets to do?” what would they have said?
Third Invitation: After the feeding of the 5000 there is a conversation recorded in Luke 9:18-27 that happens privately among the twelve.  This is probably another 6 to 12 months after being invited to fish for men.  Here He tells the twelve, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Now, perhaps 18 to 24 months into their journey, they hear “come and die.”
My third question: What did they hear that and fully understand?  As you read the rest of the gospels, Jesus reminds them several more times that they are following someone who is about to suffer and be killed.  Peter tells Jesus to quit saying that.  Jesus rebukes Peter.  The disciples do not seem to have clarity on what is coming.
Conclusions:  Jesus made a progressively more challenging “ask.”  The disciples’ first response was to “come and see.”  Their second response was to “fish for men.”  Their third response was to “come and die.”  They followed and ultimately died for their cause.  

Why does God allow pain in your life?

BAGAIMANA GEREJA ANDA MENJADI GEREJA MISIONER?

RENUNGAN MISI: BAGAIMANA GEREJA ANDA MENJADI GEREJA MISIONER?

Semua kekristenan, apalagi para hamba Tuhan, mengharapkan bahwa gereja mereka adalah gereja yang misioner, yaitu sebuah gereja yang berkembang, bertumbuh, dan memiliki wawasan yang luas. Untuk mencapai target ini, kita sebagai orang Kristen harus mengerti misi.

Tujuan misi adalah bahwa semua orang diperdamaikan dengan Allah dan hidup bagi kemuliaan-Nya. Bagaimana tugas ini dapat terlaksana?

Melalui gereja sebagai agen misi yang menuruti perintah Roh Kudus sebagai Pembina misi; maka Allah dipermuliakan di seluruh dunia.

Dalam Kisah Para Rasul 1:8 dikatakan, "... kamu akan menjadi saksi-Ku di Yerusalem, Yudea, Samaria dan sampai ke ujung bumi"; Tuhan Yesus menjelaskan pola yang harus dipakai, yaitu setiap gereja yang ingin menjadi gereja misioner harus terlibat dalam 4 jenis penginjilan (PI):

a. "Yerusalem" (PI-O): Orang Yahudi (di mana murid-murid berada).
Artinya: Menginjili orang Kristen di lingkungan gereja/kota kita yang belum lahir baru.

b. "Yudea" (PI-1): Orang Yahudi (di dalam negeri murid-murid, tetapi di luar lingkungan gereja).
Artinya: Menginjili suku sendiri yang belum percaya.

c. "Samaria" (PI-2): Orang campuran Yahudi-Kafir yang belum percaya.
Artinya: Menginjili orang dengan kebudayaan yang mirip kebudayaan kita (misalnya orang Nias menginjili orang Batak).

d. "Ujung Bumi"(P1-3): Bangsa lain.
Artinya: Menginjili suku dan/atau bangsa dengan kebudayaan yang berbeda dengan kita (misalnya orang Indonesia menginjili orang Afrika).

Kita tidak boleh mengatakan sesudah keluarga dan negara kita menjadi Kristen, baru gereja kita bisa melibatkan diri dalam misi sedunia. Perhatikan Kisah Para Rasul 1:8, di situ dikatakan, "Yerusalem, Yudea, Samaria dan ujung bumi," bukan "sesudah Yerusalem, Yudea, Samaria tercapai dengan Injil, baru ke ujung bumi."

Itu berarti setiap gereja semestinya menjalankan ke-4 jenis penginjilan ini secara serentak. Ini artinya menjadi generasi misioner.

Diambil dari:
Judul buletin: Terang Lintas Budaya, Edisi 40, Tahun 2000
Penulis: Tidak dicantumkan
Penerbit: Yayasan Terang Lintas Budaya, Malang 2000
Halaman: 2

The Field of Treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
MATTHEW 13:44

For too long we have contented ourselves with what God can do for us and what He can give us. We come to the Lord with a need in mind, and the next day we approach with another need, and the following day we return with yet another request. This pattern repeats itself continually. We return again and again to withdraw a little more from the heavenly bank.

Surely we should let our requests be made known unto God, and we must also ask, that we may receive. But think: if a man owns a field, does he not also possess the buried treasure in the field? Does it not stand to reason then, that if we receive HIM, we possess all He has? How shall He not, with His Son, freely give us all things?

Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

We’ll never find and develop leaders for the future if we insist on judging what God likes by what we like.

The Barnabas Factor: Defending the Right to Be Different

By John Bond Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. ~ Acts 15:1, 2
READING: Acts 15:1-29
A fourth trait that set Barnabas apart was his willingness to defend those who did things differently – really differently. Twice he stepped forward to aggressively defend ministry to Gentiles. Frankly, I can’t imagine that Barnabas was all that comfortable with it. It must have struck him as strange that a large group of people wanted to follow the Jewish Messiah, yet were unwilling to become full-on Jews. It must have been disconcerting to attend an Antioch potluck filled with uncircumcised Christians eating pork sandwiches!
Yes, Jesus said new wine needs new wineskins, but how many of us really believe it – or realize how quickly our new wineskins become old wineskins? Looking back over the years, I’m saddened to realize how often I’ve seen a fledgling young leader marginalized simply because something about the way they looked, dressed, or approached ministry was uncomfortable to the pastors and leaders in charge.
More to the point, it’s amazing how often God used that rejection as the impetus to launch a new ministry (sometimes literally down the street) that quickly sucked all the youth, vitality, and future out of the very church that once so dismissively wrote off their new way of doing ministry as inappropriate or “unspiritual.”
We’ll never find and develop leaders for the future if we insist on judging what God likes by what we like. Barnabas knew better. He judged what God approved by what God blessed, not by his own personal comfort zone.
Father, Help me to be a leader who assesses situations by what you approve and bless regardless of my personal feelings. Amen.
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