There was a quote making the rounds of Twitter and Facebook recently that got my attention. I don't normally write about what I disagree with, but this time it has been rolling around in my head for a couple of weeks and I want to jump in and open a discussion on something. The quote is attributed to George Barna, a man I respect and who is much smarter than I am for sure. However, this time I disagree with the quote. Here it is:
"Evangelism without serious discipleship is abuse."
At first read, it is an "OUCH" statement that hits the church and church leaders in a let's-wake-up-and-get-busy kind of way.
Before I state my disagreement with this quote, let me qualify a couple of things. First, discipleship is a primary function of the church. A pastor's main job description as given in Ephesians 4:11 is to train people, which is discipleship. As the church and as a local congregation it is vital that we have systems and strategies in place to give people an opportunity to grow in their journey with Christ. On the one hand, I believe that is what Barna's point is. I don't know the context in which he said (or wrote) it. Up front, let me be clear that I am taking this statement exactly as shown and addressing that alone. I am not and cannot presume to know Barna's full thoughts on this and in no way intend to suggest anything negative toward him. My comments are handling this as a stand alone, unqualified quote.
In fact, it was more the shear quantity of times and short statements of agreement with this stand alone quote that got my attention. Many even wrote "Ouch!" or some other form of exclamation and seemed to indicated that the church has majorly missed something here. There is no question that we as the church have areas to improve and need to put more energy and effort into this.
My question is this: does it really qualify as abuse to tell someone about Christ and then not make sure they are discipled? Abuse is a really strong word. It invokes images that are difficult to look at and unpleasant to even think about describing. It makes an accusation of someone with malice in their heart. An abuser is generally thought of as evil. I do take issue with that choice of words and all it entails. It also doesn't line up well with scripture.
For this statement to be true as presented here, then Philip, Peter, Paul, and even Jesus were guilty of abuse.
In Acts 8:26-40 we have the account of Philip and the Ethiopian. While they did have time to talk and Philip shared a lot with this man, it was hardly what we classify as discipleship. In fact, as soon as the man was baptized, Philip disappeared.
After bringing healing to the crippled beggar in Acts 3, Peter shares the truth of God's Word with those that had witnessed it and anyone else who stopped near. In chapter 4, he and John were arrested. While they did return, there is no indication of any form of follow up with the crowd that heard that day. Not to mention the day of Pentecost itself. Again, we have no record of any form of follow up or what we call discipleship taking place after this with those who were there that day. Many were foreigners and did not remain in town after that event. There was no way to make sure they got into a new believer's class or anything else.
I know Paul started churches most places he went, but not everywhere. In Acts 28 on the island of Malta, Paul prayed for and healed many people. This is evangelism though admittedly not expressed as such. Then he left. Again, no discipleship program.
Finally, we have Jesus. He went around preaching the Good News and healing people and He rarely stayed any place longer than a few days. One of the better examples of this is found in Mark 5. A man who had been possessed by many demons is freed. As Jesus is leaving the area at the request of the people, the man "begged" (word used in Mark 5:18 NIV) Jesus to let him follow. Jesus told him no. Definitely no discipleship.
It is just hard to use the word "abuse" in this context in light of the Biblical accounts we have. My whole view of discipleship changed upon the understanding and realization of how Jesus approached it, particularly in that last passage.
We are to help each other grow in Christ. We are to train and lead. We are to make disciples. Absolutely.
We should do both: evangelize and disciple.
We are also to tell the story of Christ and share His love. Sometimes, there will be no follow up program to plug people into. That does not mean it would be abuse to tell them anyway. Is it abuse to save a drowning person even if we have nothing else to give them? Or is it abuse to let them die?
I say we do both, but we make sure we are saving as many as we can, even if we have no way of following up in a givne circumstance.
What are your thoughts?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Coaching/Mentoring
I am a strong proponent of continuous learning. No person, regardless of education or any achievement, has reached a place where they can stop learning and striving to grow. Even the highest level leaders need to be learning from someone.
This is why, I signed up for a pastor's coaching network next year. I will have to make some sacrifices to participate and it will take real effort on my part to get out of it everything I need to. It will be well worth it. If for no other reason than the experience and relationships formed, it will have great value.
It is also why, a group of pastors who I am friends with are forming a network to walk through some of the issues unique to pastoring. Only with others will we be able to accomplish what God has placed before us. It is part of His plan. He even modeled it for us in the life Christ.
Everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student. This should be the ongoing status of our lives in order to most fully live out our potential.
This is why, I signed up for a pastor's coaching network next year. I will have to make some sacrifices to participate and it will take real effort on my part to get out of it everything I need to. It will be well worth it. If for no other reason than the experience and relationships formed, it will have great value.
It is also why, a group of pastors who I am friends with are forming a network to walk through some of the issues unique to pastoring. Only with others will we be able to accomplish what God has placed before us. It is part of His plan. He even modeled it for us in the life Christ.
Everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student. This should be the ongoing status of our lives in order to most fully live out our potential.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Chaos Continues
There is no way in a series of blog posts can all the nuances of chaos be discussed. In fact, each instance of chaos is unique so only a few basic principles can be touched on in any discussion of the general reality of chaos.
As I think through chaos and recall the various and numerous situations of it in my life, I am struck by one reality. This one reality goes back to the second post in many ways, but is more than was mentioned there. We must have a relationship with God and we must trust Him, absolutely. However, the only way we are going to survive and even thrive in chaos is to be secure in ourselves.
Please don't get crazy and think I am suggesting any form of humanistic belief system or am in any way putting anything human above God. No. I am suggesting that we need to have an inner security of who we are in God and who He has designed us to be. The security is what enables us to stand when criticism hits. In leadership and in chaos, there will be no shortage of criticism. This inner security also enables us to make the decisions necessary to successfully navigate the chaos. Without it, we won't trust that the voice we here is the Holy Spirit. Without it, we will cower in fear of the mounting pressures instead of stand on the core values and convictions set on God's Word. Without this inner security we will begin to treat others poorly and with mistrust as paranoia sets in. Chaos reveals the flaws in our character, and if we are not secure, then those flaws will be large and in charge as it were.
This really is about pride. As counter-intuitive as it seems, the more pride-filled a person is, the less secure they are. A truly secure person can be humble, not know it, and not even care as they are just doing what they do. A secure person doesn't bow to the pressures of the whims of people because they are rooted in their core values. The secure person celebrates with others in their triumphs. He/She recognizes the value of the process and the treasure of people and can stay calm in crisis because their perspective is not in the immediate gain of self. In fact, the least selfish people I know are some of the most secure. The most selfish are extremely insecure.
Surviving chaos is about giving glory to God and allowing His purposes to be done. This motive is not at all focused on the effects or gain to self. The insecure can only think about how something is affecting them.
The best way to prepare for the next season of chaos is to repent of selfishness, get firmly centered in God and His Word and get over yourself. :)
As I think through chaos and recall the various and numerous situations of it in my life, I am struck by one reality. This one reality goes back to the second post in many ways, but is more than was mentioned there. We must have a relationship with God and we must trust Him, absolutely. However, the only way we are going to survive and even thrive in chaos is to be secure in ourselves.
Please don't get crazy and think I am suggesting any form of humanistic belief system or am in any way putting anything human above God. No. I am suggesting that we need to have an inner security of who we are in God and who He has designed us to be. The security is what enables us to stand when criticism hits. In leadership and in chaos, there will be no shortage of criticism. This inner security also enables us to make the decisions necessary to successfully navigate the chaos. Without it, we won't trust that the voice we here is the Holy Spirit. Without it, we will cower in fear of the mounting pressures instead of stand on the core values and convictions set on God's Word. Without this inner security we will begin to treat others poorly and with mistrust as paranoia sets in. Chaos reveals the flaws in our character, and if we are not secure, then those flaws will be large and in charge as it were.
This really is about pride. As counter-intuitive as it seems, the more pride-filled a person is, the less secure they are. A truly secure person can be humble, not know it, and not even care as they are just doing what they do. A secure person doesn't bow to the pressures of the whims of people because they are rooted in their core values. The secure person celebrates with others in their triumphs. He/She recognizes the value of the process and the treasure of people and can stay calm in crisis because their perspective is not in the immediate gain of self. In fact, the least selfish people I know are some of the most secure. The most selfish are extremely insecure.
Surviving chaos is about giving glory to God and allowing His purposes to be done. This motive is not at all focused on the effects or gain to self. The insecure can only think about how something is affecting them.
The best way to prepare for the next season of chaos is to repent of selfishness, get firmly centered in God and His Word and get over yourself. :)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Surviving Chaos
After a solid foundation and trust in God, surviving chaos is possible by preparation and organization. As unlikely as that sounds, it is not only possible, but it is imperative that we plan for times of chaos. The moment of chaos arriving in your life and mine is a matter of when, not if. We all face it and a new season of chaos awaits around some corner of tomorrow. Denying it or avoiding it or just simply living oblivious to its reality is not a solution. In fact, it is not even a good idea.
Planning for the unknown chaos lurking ahead is difficult, no question. Even getting our head around the concept is akin to trying to explain the modern political system to a kindergartner. Well, that may be a bad example as the same level of maturity may be needed in both. Sorry, I digress. Pulling in the details and knowing how to plan for the unknowable is about like trying to herd cats. There are just so many directions to keep up with.
The planning and organizing needed for chaos is more about life in general and the specific chaos that will come. When our life is in order and chaos strikes, we are able to keep from falling apart. Trust in God is where it starts. After that, the next step is to be in control of our schedule. Our regular, every day/week schedule must have some margin in it so that we are prepared for the unexpected.
It's often said that the best defense is a good offense. This is true here as well. The best way to deal with chaos is to be proactive with our schedule every day. Know what is coming and prepare for what can be foreseen. Many seasons of chaos can be predicted to some degree. When we fail to recognize this we miss out on an opportunity to thrive in chaos.When we prepare for what can be known, we can simply walk through the steps and the process in the moment because the decisions and direction have already been made and set. We have to let our core values and principles be our guide when life is crazy and things are flying at us quickly. These can only be set in times of calm and through the intentional decisions we make.
If we keep our focus on what matters, our core values are strong, we control our schedule, and how each component fits then chaos won't shatter us.
Preparation and planning are about doing all we can to have margin in our lives to handle the unexpected and then grow through and recover from the times of chaos.
If you have ever wondered how some people seem to thrive in chaos, look at their lives when things are calm and you will find they are planning and organizing and in control of their schedule.
Planning for the unknown chaos lurking ahead is difficult, no question. Even getting our head around the concept is akin to trying to explain the modern political system to a kindergartner. Well, that may be a bad example as the same level of maturity may be needed in both. Sorry, I digress. Pulling in the details and knowing how to plan for the unknowable is about like trying to herd cats. There are just so many directions to keep up with.
The planning and organizing needed for chaos is more about life in general and the specific chaos that will come. When our life is in order and chaos strikes, we are able to keep from falling apart. Trust in God is where it starts. After that, the next step is to be in control of our schedule. Our regular, every day/week schedule must have some margin in it so that we are prepared for the unexpected.
It's often said that the best defense is a good offense. This is true here as well. The best way to deal with chaos is to be proactive with our schedule every day. Know what is coming and prepare for what can be foreseen. Many seasons of chaos can be predicted to some degree. When we fail to recognize this we miss out on an opportunity to thrive in chaos.When we prepare for what can be known, we can simply walk through the steps and the process in the moment because the decisions and direction have already been made and set. We have to let our core values and principles be our guide when life is crazy and things are flying at us quickly. These can only be set in times of calm and through the intentional decisions we make.
If we keep our focus on what matters, our core values are strong, we control our schedule, and how each component fits then chaos won't shatter us.
Preparation and planning are about doing all we can to have margin in our lives to handle the unexpected and then grow through and recover from the times of chaos.
If you have ever wondered how some people seem to thrive in chaos, look at their lives when things are calm and you will find they are planning and organizing and in control of their schedule.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Surviving Chaos
How do we survive and even thrive in chaos?
One of the first most important factors is to have a solid foundation and relationship with God. That seems so obvious and basic, yet it is true and needs to be said. We cannot handle the chaos of life without this relationship being at the core of our lives. It is much easier to stand and not be devastated when we are well grounded in our hearts and minds with the King of Kings as our Father. This helps set us up for the next factor...
Trust that God is in control. Nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing is outside His understanding. Nothing is bigger or more powerful than He is. Nothing causes Him to fret, worry, or panic. As such, we can rest fully in that knowledge and find peace in the storms and chaos that may surround us. This is the peace that passes understanding seen in Philippians. My daughters both get scared in storms, except when they are with me. They trust me and if I am calm, so are they. This has taught me about the level of trust we are to have with our heavenly Father. He is completely in control. It is hard to trust God at times because it is admitting our weakness and inadequacy to handle things ourselves. Truth is unaffected by our feelings or bias. It is what it is. We are inadequate and weak. But, in God we find strength and He is more than enough for whatever the situation. We don't have to panic or fret and we can remain calm, even in chaos.
Chaos is a matter of perspective much of the time anyway. I still have to fight within myself at times to overcome the sense of urgency that comes with projects and events. This urgency can cause us to lose perspective and focus and put the wrong things as the priorities. The more chaotic it seems, the more we can end up bulldozing people and leaving a wake of hurt and mistrust. I work to maintain a big picture focus and long term vision with whatever is being undertaken at the time. The process and the people involved are far more important than the details of the event or project. Chaos comes in and makes it appear that the people are the cause of the chaos and the problem.
People are not the problem, they are the purpose we are doing what we are doing. A year from now, it won't matter as much the details as the relationships and results in people's lives that came out of the situation. Perspective makes all the difference. Some things can only be appreciated and are effective only from a big picture view. Take a painting and try to enjoy it from 1 inch away with a magnifying glass. There is far more enjoyment in stepping back and taking the whole thing in. Chaos tries to get us to hold tight to the magnifying glass and miss out. Chaos distorts our perspective and redirects our focus if we let it. It serves much better to keep the focus and perspective on what is truly important to the overall vision.
This is why vision and purpose and core values are so important. These things have to be worked out beforehand.
Coming up - preparing for chaos.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Chaos
Truth is, if life is smooth and has no chaos it is boring at best and meaningless at worst. Not to say that for life to have meaning it must be a state of madness all day every day. In fact, routine and the mundane are what keep us grounded and should be the base rythm of our lives.
However, there will and needs to be some chaos existent if we are to live effective lives of purpose. Relationships bring an element of chaos. We are relational beings and designed to to build and maintain relationships. This is a messy process as emotions, opinions personality, and an abundance of other factors jump int ot he equation. As we mature and grow and lead others to the same (relationship) there will be issues at times and full on chaos at others.
As we read through the sacred text of God's Word we see chaos time and again in the lives of those following God's plan. We also see it in those who did not follow His plan. The difference is always the end result.
Life is full of chaos. Soon as we think we've got it all figured out and under control, BAM, we get nailed with something we didn't see coming. God's plan adds a whole other element to it. One of the chief reasons that His plan adds so much chaos is that it si often conflicts with human desire and understanding. God's will always requires faith and involves risk. By nature and definition, risk and faith are catalysts of chaos when mixed in with human characteritics.
The key is to learn to embrace and live in the chaos and to know when it is of God and when it is man-made. We must also know when and how to disengage.
More to come on this issue...
What seems to bring the most chaos in to your life?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Challenge
Today we had a missionary guest couple as part of our missions convention. Jim & Meg Thacker are missionaries to Burundi in Africa. Jim's blog is here. Jim & Meg have pioneered the missions work in that country that was so devastated by war. In the last 4 years they have seen 47 churches planted and 23 buildings built; amazing!
As they prepare to head back to Burundi next year, they are trying to raise enough money to build 20 more church buildings. This will take about $150,000. He is looking for 300 people/churches to give a one time gift of $500 to accomplish this. To me that is a no-brainer. Capital City for sure will be part of that challenge.
We took it a step further today.
I presented to the people at the end of the service and challenged individual families to accept the challenge and give $500. So far 7 families have stepped up and there will be more as the week goes on. That is incredible!
The "experts" say that in this economy, you can't raise money and people have nothing to give. God's economy doesn't work the way that man's does. There is money available when the cause is worthwhile and significant. More importantly, God always provides! When we believe in something and have a passion and heart for it, there is no problem going against the "experts" and wisdom of man and trusting God. It was easy to present this challenge today. There is no more worthwhile cause than building churches in strategic areas to help reach people who are far from God. More than that, many of the people groups in that part of Africa are completely unreached to this point.I know not everyone can step up to this challenge in this way, but many can.
It will be thrilling to see what God does through this! Hang on, He is just getting started!
As they prepare to head back to Burundi next year, they are trying to raise enough money to build 20 more church buildings. This will take about $150,000. He is looking for 300 people/churches to give a one time gift of $500 to accomplish this. To me that is a no-brainer. Capital City for sure will be part of that challenge.
We took it a step further today.
I presented to the people at the end of the service and challenged individual families to accept the challenge and give $500. So far 7 families have stepped up and there will be more as the week goes on. That is incredible!
The "experts" say that in this economy, you can't raise money and people have nothing to give. God's economy doesn't work the way that man's does. There is money available when the cause is worthwhile and significant. More importantly, God always provides! When we believe in something and have a passion and heart for it, there is no problem going against the "experts" and wisdom of man and trusting God. It was easy to present this challenge today. There is no more worthwhile cause than building churches in strategic areas to help reach people who are far from God. More than that, many of the people groups in that part of Africa are completely unreached to this point.I know not everyone can step up to this challenge in this way, but many can.
It will be thrilling to see what God does through this! Hang on, He is just getting started!
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