the road trip::tales of ambassadizing the nation

easing back in...

2010-09-27T10:59:00.002-04:00

4 months.

Clearly that is far too long.

In my defense --

1. June & July were entirely consumed with leading Barnabas.

(for a recap of our summers, check out our team blogs: Stacie with Team Empire, and Sarah with Team Colonial.)

A summer on Barnabas is never disappointing -- not always easy, but God works miracles.

2. In August I spent 2 weeks in Haiti, and then 2 weeks on vacation (recovering from 11 straight weeks of working literally round the clock.)

Expect an official 'Haiti post' soon.

3. Since then, Stacie has moved to Maryland and started working as a teacher, I was made point person on a fundraising event that consumed every working moment, I've traveled to Ohio and PA, and went to the STORY conference in Chicago.

So so much to update you on. It's coming promise.

seattle. mars hill. mark driscoll. so excited.

2010-05-13T11:37:00.003-04:00

In 21 minutes Stacie and I will head to the airport with CE's 3 directors to catch a plane to

SEATTLE.

CE's board meetings are out there this weekend, and Ed graciously invited us along. So, while we do have some responsibilities with the board, we also have the opportunity to see some of Seattle (seriously one of my favorite cities), and visit Mars Hill this weekend!

We're also meeting with Dave Kraft, author of Leaders Who Last. I just read this book this month, and highly recommend it to anyone who leads. Seriously. If you lead a church, a small group, a youth group, a discussion group, a family, a worship team, a sports team, a ministry team ... this book is great. Kraft, at 70 years old, writes about what leaders need to do to sustain themselves for the long haul of leadership. I have so many questions for Kraft, and I beyond thrilled that I'll have the chance to ask some of them.

I'll give a more detailed review of the book (as well as let you know about our time with him!) in a few days.

Mm. Seattle. Here we come.

GOOD and FAITHFUL

2010-05-11T17:00:00.003-04:00

Last October I told you how burdened I was for one of our 2009 Barnabas alumni who was not doing well. This student got home and, because of a variety of reasons, chose not to walk with the Lord.

Last week I heard from this student -- let me just give you a quote:

I made a lot of mistakes but I have learned so much from it. God never let go of his grip on my life and I am slowly getting back to him now.

Every time I think about this, I can't stop smiling.

Seriously. God. Answers. Prayer. He answered here so clearly and so miraculously.

If you've been praying with me for this student,

thank you thank you thank you.

Spend some time thanking the Lord for what he's done!

haiti haiti haiti

2010-05-07T09:22:00.004-04:00

I am helping to lead 3 one-week teams to Haiti this August.

July 30-Aug 5

Aug 6-12

Aug 13-19

Each team can hold 20 people, and the cost (based on 20 people) is $750+airfare

We want to change the lives of people in Haiti, and change the way that you love the overlooked. Join us. You won't regret it.

You can find the application here.

Contact me with any questions.

mission 18/72

2010-04-29T14:01:00.004-04:00

I'm going to Haiti.

In August.

For 3 weeks.

We're running 3 one-week trips, called

Mission 18/72.

Who wants to come with me?

(comment, email, text, or call. space is limited)

This is not a joke.

power of prayer

2010-04-28T09:48:00.005-04:00

Last weekend I was hanging out with my friends Karly & Erin here in Winona. My heart was burdened over a situation, and they listened, encouraged, and gave some good advice.

This week I prayed over the advice they gave me and acted on it. I got in touch with Karly and Erin that same day to let them know, and Karly said,

'I'm so glad! I was praying last night about that.'

Such a simple statement. But those words took the wind right out of me. To know that my friend was thinking about me, praying for me and my situation -- what a blessing.

Prayer is so powerful. It can move the heart and hand of God. That's big.

But it also can encourage and strengthen the hearts of people. To know that friends are petitioning the God of the universe on my behalf--now that's friendship.

Who are you praying for today?

You should let them know.

That encouragement may be just what they need to act boldly today.

(Thanks Karly & Erin. Love you both.)

in the works

2010-04-22T11:42:00.002-04:00

Talked to a few people recently who are looking to train adults (or student leaders) in the process of discipleship. You all know by now that we are big fans of Organic Disciplemaking (It's like discipleship for dummies. Seriously.) I'm working on putting together a short study -- about 6 weeks/lessons -- based on that book. You can take it, use it, use parts of it, write something totally new stuff based off it-I really don't care. Sometimes I just appreciate having something premade to use as a springboard.

I plan to make that available online before summer hits. Just want to continue to provide anything we can to assist you in training people in discipleship. Keep checking the blog. It'll be linked through here.

who wants a new resource?

2010-04-19T14:40:00.004-04:00

Last week I finished up a book (that I got for free at CELS) called Simple Student Ministry. It's by Eric Geiger (one of the guys who co-authored Simple Church) and Jeff Borton (Geiger's youth pastor).

If you are in ministry, particularly student ministry,

I think this is a must read.

The premise is this:

...without a clear understanding of discipleship as a process, student ministry leaders have the tendency to offer programs and events with no understanding of how all they offer fits into a comprehensive plan or process for discipleship.

These guys are not trying to promote a new program. Not in the least. They are simply asking us to evaluate what we're doing, and to simplify. To not have programs for the sake of programs, but to only put time and energy into those programs that move students along the path of discipleship.

I think this is a great exercise to walk through. You may not agree with everything they say, you may not land with a ministry that is as 'stripped down' as they recommend -- but isn't it healthy to take a step back and ask 'What is the purpose behind these programs?' If you can't answer that for one (or more) of your programs, it's time to trim the fat.

The book walks you through the process of making the transition to simple:

1. Clarity design a simple process

(Draw the blueprint. Don't start demolition or building yet.)

2. Movement place key program along the process

(How does the programming you already have in place fit into your new process?)

3. Alignment unite all ministries around the process

(Everyone, in each aspect of your ministry, needs to be on the same page.)

4. Focus begin to eliminate

(Now it's time. Kill the unnecessary programs.)

I think Simple Student Ministry is well written and, well, simple (pun-y, huh). There are some good case studies and examples, and the process presented leaves plenty of room for creativity and freedom.

If you're a ministry leader who knows your ministry needs an overhaul, or, maybe even more importantly, a ministry leader who thinks your ministry is perfectly assembled, you should check out this book. Super insightful.

God is the gospel.

2010-04-14T14:32:00.004-04:00

I can't get enough of books. Read this a couple weeks ago:

I love being married, but I love being married because it unites me with my wife. In the same way, I love the gospel, but I love the gospel because it unites me with my Savior.
Total Church, Chester & Timmis

Just yesterday I listened to the first part of a sermon by John Piper that talked about the same idea. (I'm planning to listen to the second part today. And these sermons grew from his book, God is the Gospel, which I read last year. Heavy read, but totally worth it.) This idea that the heart of the gospel, the thing that we should be treasuring above all else, is God. Certainly we receive many beautiful, important things from the gospel -- justification, propitiation, sanctification, eternal life, freedom from sin... the list goes on and on. But if any of those things become central, become the thing that I value above all else, become ultimate, then I'm missing the point.

I love the gospel because it unites me with my Savior.

That should be the cry of each one of us.

Not

I love the gospel because it gives me peace.
I love the gospel because I'm going to heaven.
I love the gospel because I'm not going to hell.
I love the gospel because I've found a place to belong.
I love the gospel because I'm free from sin.
I love the gospel because I'm declared holy and righteous.

All of these things are true. And I rejoice in all of these things.

But they are not ultimate.

I love the gospel because it unites me with my Savior.

Can I say that with honesty today? Can you?

insight from TIME

2010-04-13T16:09:00.000-04:00

Believing that a message wrapped in pop-culture packaging was the way to attract teens to their flocks, pastors water down the religious content and boosted the entertainment. But in recent years churches have begun offering their young people a style of religious instruction grounded in Bible study and teachings about the doctrines of their denomination. Their conversation has been sparked by the recognition that sugar-coated Christianity, popular in the 1980s and 1990s, has caused growing numbers of kids to turn away not just from attending youth-fellowship activities but from practicing their faith at all.

An interesting commentary from an article in Time magazine in 2006 that surveyed Christian youth work in our country.

Ground them in the Word. Teach them to be part of the body, not just part of a flashy youth program. I like that this is apparently happening enough that Time recognizes the shift.

priorities...

2010-04-09T11:59:00.003-04:00

Steven Furtick is the lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Elevation (as of 2008) is the second fastest growing church in the nation. Now I definitely don't believe numbers are everything -- but with the second fastest growing church in the nation, Furtick certainly has plenty of things and people vying for his attention.

Yesterday, his ministries pastor posted an entry on Furtick's blog titled 'Generation'. The sentence that got me was this:

In a meeting at the end of 2009, Pastor Steven looked at me and said, "I want to see every student at Elevation Church in a small group...I'm so passionate about this that I want to lead the charge by having my own student group." -- and so, Generation [Furtick's student group] was born.

Generation was a small group of 12 students who were chosen based on their potential to become great leaders. They met for 10 weeks and went through an intense discipleship process with Furtick. (Read the whole story here.)

I know you can't always be personally involved in everything that you think is important to your ministry/church. But I also know that your leadership sets the pace. So I love this. I love that Furtick not only says that student small groups are essential, but he then puts action behind his words by leading a student small group. And not only does he lead a group, he leads the most intense, dynamic group those people have probably ever seen.

If you're in ministry, you're busy. There's plenty that you are doing, and even more that you could be doing. I'm not saying add one more thing. Necessarily. But can you step back today, and just ask yourself these 2 questions:

Based on the ultimate goal of [whatever your ministry is],

is there something that is not my priority that should be?

and

Is there something that is my priority that should not be?

Furtick's staff, adults, and youth all now know that student small groups are essential. Not because he said it, but because he showed it. What is 'it' for you?

number 1

2010-04-07T15:48:00.004-04:00

1.Just do it

You didn't know all those Nike commercials were talking about discipleship, did you? Okay, maybe not. But, to put a new twist on one of TK's sayings,

I like the way I do discipleship

better than the way you don't.

New resources and training and ideas are great--I'm all about people being prepared and being innovative. But the powerhouse discipleship method of church A may be disaster in church B. Find what works with your people, your culture, and then throw yourselves into it. Excel. Be the best at whatever method of discipleship takes root in your church. Steward whatever God gives you. Seriously. Just do it.

number 2

2010-04-06T16:39:00.003-04:00

2.Titus 2 Tuesdays

Pretty straightforward. Titus 2 is a passage that specifically talks about older men and women living godly lives and then training younger men and women. So, as the name suggests, meet Tuesday evenings for 4-6 weeks to cast vision and train your people on discipleship. This certainly isn't reinventing the wheel; it's just giving it a catchy new name.

number 3

2010-04-05T15:02:00.005-04:00

3.Personal engagement planner

Kevin Huggins strikes again (see idea 4). This is one that we love. As a part of a 3 year 'journey' to see more involvement and greater discipleship, Kevin's church has provided a free personal engagement planner to every person at the church. This planner is divided into four sections-worship, grow, serve, invest-which represent critical areas the church wants to develop in its people.

Each section begins with an explanation of the section (what is worship?), and then asks people to evaluate themselves through a series of questions on a detailed scale (for example: 'How well do I enter times of corporate worship with my heart ready and prepared to full engage God?', with answers that range from 'I have trouble most Sunday mornings just wanting to get up and come' through 'Most Sundays I can't imagine being more present and engaged with God').

People are then to write out how God is CALLING them to mature,

and from that, what their GOAL is,

and then to develop ACTION STEPS.

Included in the back of the planner is a list of all the ministries and resources the church offers. People are encouraged to include some of these things in their action steps. (Worship ministries include the band, tech team, dance ministry, etc. Worship resources include specific books and music that can guide and instruct.)

I love this resource because it forces people to take responsibility for their own growth and connectedness, but it also informs people of all the ways the church can assist in growth and connectedness.

AND it's all online.

The text version is here,

and the full version (with pictures) is here.

Go here to see the full explanation of the 3 year plan.

in light of passion week

2010-03-31T09:49:00.000-04:00

I just finished Total Church. Lots of great insight. Still wrestling through some of their ideas in regards to apologetics. This paragraph is one I have reread numerous times, and I think it is so appropriate to focus this week, as it's Passion week.

... Luther's theology of the cross remains so significant today. How do we know God? Not primarily through mystical insight or theological wisdom or supernatural visions or words of knowledge or the beauty of creation. We know God through the message of the cross. How do we know the power of God? Not primarily through rational argument or healing miracles or political influence or spiritual disciplines or media presence or alternative worship or managerial skill or megachurches or inspirational leaders or sociological theories. Human wisdom does not recognize divine wisdom. We know the power of God through the message of the cross.

The message of the cross. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your sacrifice that provided the message of the cross.

number 4

2010-03-30T18:02:00.000-04:00

(discipleship ideas)

4.Cross generational relationships

Kevin Huggins (discipleship pastor at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, Tennessee) asks all people involved in leadership at his church to be involved in some sort of cross generational relationship. That is, they must either be discipled by someone older, or be discipling someone younger. I believe strongly that as your leadership goes, so goes the rest of your organization/group/church. So if a church can implement discipleship in the lives of all leaders, my guess is it will probably begin to spread throughout the body.

number 5

2010-03-29T11:07:00.001-04:00

(discipleship ideas)

5.Z90X

Borrowed again! Dustin Godshall is challenging his junior highers to read through the New Testament in 90 days. Each week they get a postcard with the reading assignments for the next 7 days, along with additional challenges (pray for 9 minutes 3 times a day-once with a family member, take your Bible to school and read it during study hall, invite a new friend to youth group every Wednesday night). What a great way to develop good biblical understanding in students. This challenge can easily be implemented in small groups, or even in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

What we like about it: almost all people respond to a challenge or a goal,

and it provides an easy opportunity for accountability.

See the full challenge here.

number 6

2010-03-28T18:56:00.003-04:00

(discipleship ideas)

6.ReGroup dvd

This ties into the small group idea. ReGroup is a dvd put out by Willow Creek, and it is like small groups for dummies. (I’m not calling you a dummy... necessarily.) ReGroup walks you through the process of creating a strong small group, as it helps you to develop group expectations and a group covenant. It’s designed so your group can view it together, so that everyone is on the same page.

You can purchase a copy for $20 here, and then you are free to make one duplicate of it.

number 7

2010-03-27T23:27:00.000-04:00

(discipleship ideas)

7.Apprenticeship

Yet another ‘borrowed’ idea (aren’t all the best ideas borrowed?) We learned about this from Sean Spoelstra of Encounter church. Encounter is a young church (that we love. Read more about our experience here.), and they have a process of multiplication for every level of their ministry. From 1st impressions (greeters) to worship to creative arts, to eventually planting a daughter church, every person is training an apprentice. Discipleship is built into the DNA of their church -- every leader is reproducing themselves.

How could you creatively implement

apprenticeship into your ministry or culture?

number 8

2010-03-25T09:00:00.004-04:00

(discipleship ideas)

8.Grace groups

A lot of churches/youth group do small groups, and are seeing various levels of success with them. One place that we have seen small groups thrive is at Grace Church in Powell. (I've linked to this before, but you can read Mark's insights on small groups here.) Personally, I think one of the reasons that this church has seen such success is the way they started -- it was one group, led by one man with a huge passion and vision. Over the last few years that group reproduced, and eventually started a movement within that youth group and church.

I'm not saying you have to start with only one group and let it 'run its course'. But you should have leaders who are passionate and invested in your groups. If your leaders don't see the purpose, if they don't believe in (or understand) what you are trying to accomplish through your groups, if they don't feel the groups are a priority then neither will your students.

Small groups can be a beautiful way to create community, to do discipleship. But be sure to cast that vision to your leaders.

number 9

2010-03-24T10:50:00.006-04:00

(discipleship ideas)

9.OB faithfulness program

Every student who goes on Operation Barnabas is strongly encouraged to find an older adult to disciple them throughout the next year. As an organization we provide these forms to provide some accountability: the forms list questions that deal with development in character, biblical understanding, and ministry skills. The adult discipler fills them out once every 2 months and sends them into our office. If you are overseeing people involved in discipleship, or just want to give people a guide to help them as they start discipling someone, these forms could be a great help. Don't send them in to us -- but they are free for you to download, print, and use.

This blog has moved

2010-03-24T10:31:00.001-04:00

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number 10

2010-03-23T16:09:00.005-04:00

Today we shared 10 discipleship ideas at CELS (CE Leadership Summit). Over the next few days, I'm going to share them with you.

10.Use your senior high in your junior high.

We saw this in action at Western Reserve. Marty runs senior high youth group on Wednesday nights. Then on Thursday he runs junior high youth group, and he asks his student leaders from senior high to be there. They help to lead small groups, they help plan events, they build relationships and love on those kids. Talk about creating 'buy-in' -- those senior highers LOVE that group. They are so invested in that church. It's awesome.

Stay tuned for more ideas...

roots.

2010-03-19T11:17:00.004-04:00

We've been in Ohio for 2 weeks. Leaving today to head back to Winona Lake (for CELS. You should come.) And personally I have been experiencing and learning something that, I think, connects to the idea of discipleship...

Some background for those of you who don't know me too well -- my mom is originally from Worthington, Ohio, so I grew up coming out here as a little girl. My grandma owns a home here that Stacie and I use as our 'home base' when we're in town. As I've gotten older, more and more of my college friends have settled in the Columbus area, and lots of Barnabas & Ambassador time in Columbus have allowed me to become very familiar with the area.

So this week I've been surrounded by friends. I've gotten to talk honestly about work, ministry, relationships, fears, excitement. I've laughed so much. I've had that safe, 'I belong here' feeling. I spent significant time with women, women close to my own age & women older than me, and I soaked that up. At one point I was standing with Kelly Coville and Tammy Nuzum, listening to them talk about speaking truth about relationships to high school students, and I honestly wished that conversation could go on forever--there is such wisdom and grace and experience in those women. I have so many questions I would love to ask them.

On top of that, there's a huge number of students here we know. Really well. Students we get to continue to invest in each time we're here.

I think Mark said it best. I have roots here. There are so many people I know and who know me. People who encourage and challenge and refresh me. It's community. It's what we're created for. And that's why it's so hard to leave. It''s hard to walk away from a place where I experience so the beauty of the body of Christ.

There are plenty of people who have the chance to be connected to community like this, and they choose not to. That kills me. Being here reminds me that discipleship and community aren't options--they are energizing, necessary, and life-breathing. Why would you want to pass something up that is so sweet?

(Don't believe me? Work a job where community is difficult because you're in a different place every 24 hours. Bet your tune will change.)

I'm hungry for these things. I'm thankful my job has taught me the necessity of these things. And I'm thankful that the Lord gave me one of the most refreshing weeks I've ever had. I'm asking him for more like this.

encounter. they'll bring you back.

2010-03-16T15:21:00.006-04:00

Sunday Stacie and I were at Encounter Church in Dublin, Ohio (Columbus area). They are a church plant that has been meeting in a school for a little over a year, led by Sean Spoelstra.

Now, I have never planted a church. (Maybe someday God will lead me to be a part of a team like that, who knows.) But being with the people of Encounter this Sunday taught me some very valuable lessons about church planting (and, really, just church in general).

They are welcoming. I mean, so welcoming. We got out of our car and were greeted in the parking lot, not just 'Hi', but asking how we heard about the church, who we knew there, where we were from, what we did... and that conversation led us right into another conversation, and then another, and then to meeting Sean (the pastor). We've been in some churches where we've experienced the awkward 'we're not from here and everyone knows it but doesn't know what to say to us' silence-- not at Encounter. I'm guessing it doesn't happen for any of their guests.

The leadership is excited. We met and prayed with the team of people that was involved in the service that morning, and they were ready to go. From announcements to tech to worship to teaching, every person was energized for their part. That's contagious.

They are servants. Church starts at 10. We were there around 9.20, and everything was already set up and ready to go (sound, chairs, coffee...) When the service was over, the space was cleaned up in what seemed like just a few minutes. What a blessing, to have a body that helps to shoulder the practical load of ministry.

They make you feel like family. Maybe this goes along with welcoming, but it's a whole new level I think. After church we went to the Spoelstras to have lunch with their family, the Arenas (a family part who has been there from the beginning and has a daughter going on Barnabas this summer), and some friends of the Spoelstras. Again, Stacie and I have been in lots of situations like this one. It is rare that we feel so at ease as we did with these people on Sunday. We laughed and joked and talked about life and, well, felt like family. It was wonderful. And it made me want to go back. I would love to be a part of that community.

I am excited about this church. Because when people walk through the doors of that church, they will see the body of Christ. And I think that is captivating.

If one visit to Encounter can make me want to go back again, I think that says there's a lot of good things happening there. And probably a lot that we can learn from them.

Thanks, Encounter. Seriously.

delinquent.

2010-03-15T11:07:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry.

SO much has been happening, God's been doing great things, and we've gotten to connect with great churches and people.

Alas, a lack of internet keeps me from sharing these things with you.

Look for an update tonight or tomorrow.

Promise.

PS - Yesterday a kid asked me if I get shot at often. He was serious. This made me laugh.

God is our provider

2010-03-11T22:12:00.002-05:00

This week we got to hang out with Janna. She's going on Operation Barnabas this summer, and yesterday she told us that God has already provided

ALL her finances for the summer!

What a blessing! Our God promises to provide all we need, and he has CLEARLY done that in Janna's life.

Just wanted to share that with you all. If you are praying for something that seems impossible, remember

'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' Matthew 19.26

red.

2010-03-10T07:51:00.004-05:00

Last weekend was Kalahari. It was themed 'Red: the Words of Jesus'. DC Curry, of Grainger Community Church in Grainger, Indiana. There were 1000+ people, an indoor water park, solid worship, and hilarious music videos by Mark and Josh.

Stacie and I have been at 4 retreats since Christmas, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, California, and now Ohio. This was the first one where we were not the speakers. Don't hear me wrong -- I love teaching. LOVE it. But last weekend, not teaching, allowed me to be so refreshed. To learn from DC's teaching. To engage deeply in worship. To spend free time talking with friends and students, instead of prepping for the next session. Even to get to play for a couple hours in the water park.

The whole experience just reminded me of how necessary it is for us to take a Sabbath. To rest. To be refreshed and refocused and reenergized. And I'm so thankful. Thankful that the Lord knows that we need such refreshment, and that he then provides it.

God moved last weekend. For the next week and a half, Stacie and I get to see plenty of these students as we travel through Ohio, and I can't wait to hear about how their lives are different.

This is one reason this job is so fun...

kalahari twenty.ten

2010-03-04T11:40:00.001-05:00

We are going to Kalahari this weekend. For you non-Buckeyes out there, Kalahari is an indoor water park in Ohio, and the site of a massive winter retreat. We get to help our friend Brad Deetscreek (youth pastor at Grace Church, Bath campus) with follow up with students who make decisions. We're pumped about that.

We're also excited to be hanging out with Operation Barnabas alumni, Operation Barnabas 2010 students, and so many of our friends who are youth staff and youth pastors at these churches.

We're expecting God to do great things, to work in hearts of students and adults alike, and to leave us in awe of him.

vacuumless ministry

2010-03-03T15:11:00.002-05:00

I love reading different angles and practical understandings of discipleship.

Read Mark Artrip's practical ways to keep your ministry from becoming a vacuum.

sitting under the dreaming tree...

2010-02-25T22:56:00.003-05:00

Today I got to dream. About my future. About where God might take me. About how he could use the gifts he's given me.

The best part?

My boss initiated it.

We talked about what I've been learning over this last year, how I've grown and changed, and what God's been doing in my life.

And then he started thinking outside the box. Bold vision. Big opportunities. Grand ideas. Dreams.

I don't know what God's going to do. I don't know where he'll take me. I don't plan to leave CE anytime soon, nor was my boss suggesting that. But I was so encouraged today, because he really wants me to pursue whatever it is God has for my life. And he wants to help me dream.

Lesson of the day:

I have a really great boss.

30 day adventure done... on to california!

2010-02-24T09:07:00.002-05:00

Stacie and I got home Sunday afternoon. Final stats:

30 days.

6042 miles.

16 states.

18 host homes.

God was so good and faithful to us. We got to meet with so many pastors, youth staff, and young people, and hear about what God is doing in churches all over the country. There were a number of times that I believe we were more refreshed and encouraged than the people we were meeting with. And he kept us safe through so many miles and so many states, which is something we have learned not to take for granted.

And now we're going to California, to live in the summer sun (I bet Kristin Artrip picked up on that song reference...) We'll be at the Northern California winter retreat for the weekend with Matt Wheeland and Ed. Walking out the door now.. update soon!

the gospel and social justice

2010-02-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

I think felt needs are so important. That's probably pretty clearly illustrated through the things I've chosen to invest my time and money in (like this, or this, or this). I don't say that to pat myself on the back, but I know that the Lord fills us with passion for different things, and I am definitely burdened for those who are hurting.

Sometimes my desire to address the felt needs (whether that's in a tsunami-destroyed village in Thailand, or with a girl I'm discipling) seems to overshadow my desire to share the gospel. The phrase 'People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care' sat well with me.

Lots of people who are wiser and more godly than me have challenged me in this, and pushed me to understand that both are necessary: as followers of Jesus we have to be about meeting both the physical and the spiritual needs. Recently as I was reading Total Church, I found a great summary of this idea:

...it is never enough to address people's felt needs. Felt needs can be a good point to start because the gospel address the human condition in all its complexity. But people do not as a rule express God's judgement as a felt need. People are blind to their true plight. They do not see their greatest need, which is to be reconciled to God through the gospel. If we do not keep people's eternal plight in mind, then immediate needs will force their way to the top of our agenda, and we will betray the gospel and the people we profess to love. The most loving thing we can do for the poor is to proclaim the good news of eternal salvation through Christ. It is by no means the only loving thing we can do for them, but it is the most loving thing we can do. It would be a crime of monumental proportions knowingly to withhold such good news.

A commitment to the proclamation of the gospel is what makes Christian social involvement distinctly Christian. This is challenging to me, because proclaiming the gospel is not always easy for me. But if I claim to love people, to love the poor, to love the hurting, then I should want to do the most loving thing. And that's to share the gospel.

who are you?

2010-02-20T13:23:00.009-05:00

We're in the middle of the Lititz winter retreat at Camp Joy-El. Stacie and I teaching on identity all weekend. It's amazing to me how as believers this is a lesson the Lord has to continue to teach and reteach and reteach us. I have a number of vivid memories of the Lord showing me how my identity was in all the wrong things. Every time, he broke me. And then, every time, he graciously and patiently drew me to himself, showing me through his Spirit and his Word how my identity is wholly and only to be found in him.

Just yesterday I was listening to a sermon on contentment by Josh Patterson. And he said something that hit me right in the face.

Do I believe that Jesus is sufficient?

Do I really believe that he is enough?

Talk about an identity check. Is Jesus sufficient for me? Or do I seek my fulfillment, contentment, definition from work, relationships, hobbies, possessions....

Is Jesus enough for me?

community.

2010-02-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

Back to Total Church by Chester & Timmis. Topic of the day? Community.

If you were at Grace College when I was, you probably fight off a cringe at that word. Community was THE buzz word of my time at Grace. (who knows, maybe it still is.) I think it's an unfortunate thing when a word that represents something so necessary is overused to the point of disgust.

Regardless of how you feel about the word, there's no question that community is biblical. That we were created for it. I love that Chester & Timmis discuss this issue from a God-centered perspective:

Our God is a triune God. He exists in community. We see it from the very beginning of His Word to us: 'Let us make man in our image.' (Genesis 1.26) And so, as we are created in the image of this God, it is a natural conclusion that we also are to exist in community.

We live in an individualistic society--we're all about doing it on our own, 'pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps'. I am part of a generation who has taken this mentality into the church: huge numbers of us have left the church altogether; many of us feel that we are better off reading, praying, listening to sermons on our own than being a part of 'irrelevant' church bodies; others of us see no issue with 'dating' the church-hopping from one to the next for various reasons, not ever really being established in any community.

The church isn't perfect. But she is Christ's bride. Can't love Jesus and hate His bride, as so many have said before. We are called to commune with each other.

Absolutely this means finding a church body and being committed. But that's so much more than Sundays. It's knowing people. Letting them know you. Finding 'family'. That's community. I have seen different churches do this in different ways. One is small groups: Mark Artrip does a great job of explaining what community can and should look like in small groups. Some do it through Sunday school; some have small enough congregations that it happens in the body as a whole.

We are created in the image of our God,

and that means we're created for community.

What does community look like in your life?

tell me about the king.

2010-02-15T16:29:00.000-05:00

I will tell [you] what a king is. A king does not abide within his tent while his men bleed and die upon the field. A king does not dine while his men go hungry, nor sleep when they stand at watch upon the wall. A king does not command his men's loyalty through fear nor purchase it with gold; he earns their love by the seat of his own back and the pains he endures for their sake. That which comprises the harshest burden, a king lifts first and sets down last. A king does not require service of those he leads but provides it to them. He serves them, not they him.
(Gates of Fire, Steven Pressfield)

A description in reference to a human king, a warrior. I am struck by how true these words are of our great King of all kings, Jesus Christ.

'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' Mark 10.45

on with the adventure

2010-02-13T09:09:00.003-05:00

So we officially have lived through 'snowpocalype 2010' here on the east coast. Many of our plans were rearranged during the last week, but we will continue on, as planned, to the lovely state of Connecticut today.

We move on to New Jersey Monday,

and Pennsylvania Thursday,

teach at Lititz's youth retreat at Camp Joyell this weekend,

and head back to Indiana next Sunday.

Can you believe it? It's already day 22 of the the 30 day adventure!

Thanks for praying!

lecrae & haiti

2010-02-12T09:43:00.001-05:00

I love Lecrae (thanks to Matt Rupple and Keystone 2009), and he recently released this music video of his Haiti-provoked song, Far Away. Check it out.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted. Psalm 34.18

worry. part 2.

2010-02-11T10:11:00.001-05:00

I posted yesterday about worry. And then I read this, by Ben Arment. He titles it, Your Dream by Way of Nightmare. If I believed these words, I would no doubt worry less, and trust God more.

God doesn’t allow one, single experience to be wasted on you. What you think might have been a worthless endeavor, a big mistake, or a pointless job was exactly what God needed you to experience for what’s coming ahead.
What if heartbreak and setback were qualifications for your dream? What if your dream required thick skin and you didn’t have it? Would you be okay with facing letdown after letdown if it helped prepare you?
Oswald Chambers says, “Before God can use a man greatly, he must wound him deeply.” Are you willing to accept pain for greatness?

i don't like it....

2010-02-10T12:46:00.000-05:00

...but I'm a worrier. Not about some things (I'll drink the milk that's been setting out for a day or so, I'll move to Thailand without knowing anyone, I'll hitchhike in Africa [okay that one did worry me some...]). The older I get, the more I find myself worrying. I read an article, 'Thinking Biblically about Worry' by Paul David Tripp, that was so insightful... instead of rewording it, I'm just going to give you some of my favorite parts:

'Worry is not caused by what exists outside of us. No, worry is caused by what is going on inside of us... Sin causes every one of us to live for ourselves... Sin makes us scarily self-focused, self-absorbed, and self-motivated... As a result of sin, no longer do we attach our inner peace to a God who is the definition of wisdom, power, and love and who will never, ever change... Things that were not designed to give us peace and over which we have no control become our replacement messiahs. We ask them to do for us what only God is able to do.'

'Matthew 6.19-34 ... teaches us that behind every moment of worry is a war for the heart. This battle is about whether our hearts will be effectively and functionally ruled by the kingdom of God or the kingdom of self.'

'Worry and rest always reveal the true treasures of your heart. You will rest the most when what you treasure the most is secure, and you will worry the most when what you treasure the most is at risk.'

2 truths about worry: '1. You will tend to worry when you've attached the vitality of your life to things you don't actually need and can't ever control. 2. You will tend to worry in the face of legitimate need when you forget your heavenly Father and His ever-faithful covenant love.'

'Defeating worry is about being a good soldier in this deeper war for the heart. It is about fighting the temptation to attach the peace of your heart to things that are temporary and, therefore, are not organically designed to give you lasting peace. It is about daily feeding your soul on the promises and provisions of your heavenly Father.'

When I understand worry as a war for my heart, that it's an issue of placing my trust in the Lord rather in myself (or my job, or my relationships, or my stuff), I am forced to acknowledge that worry is serious. It's sin. I'm not just 'naturally a worrier'. I'm naturally a sinner. Thank the Lord Jesus for his grace and forgiveness and patience as he sanctifies me. I want to pursue holiness, and so I want to think biblically about worry. I hope you'll join me.

we are SPARTA

2010-02-07T18:37:00.004-05:00

I have always loved to read, and grew up loving fiction. I still read plenty, but a fiction book is rare amongst all the other reading I have/want to do.

Right now I'm in the middle of a few books, and one is a historical fiction about the battle of Thermopylae, where Sparta fought the Persian empire. There is a story of a Spartan warrior comforting a Spartan youth, Alexandros, after the boy's friend died. Here is the commentary on that conversation:

Throughout this conversation the older man maintained a voice tender and solicitous with love. Nothing Alexandros could do would ever make this voice love him less or abandon him. Such is the peculiar genius of the Spartan system of pairing each boy in training with a mentor other than his own father. A mentor may say things that a father cannot; a boy can confess to his mentor that which would bring shame to reveal to his father.
Gates of Fire, Steven Pressfield

This depicts so many of the truths of discipleship.

the discipler genuinely loves his disciple, regardless of the disciple's struggles or shortcomings.
the discipler is, in some sense, bound to his disciple. There is a sense of responsibility to the younger.
the discipler ('mentor') can and should say the difficult things.
the disciple can be brutally honest with his discipler, and can expect him to respond appropriately (challenge, comfort, etc).

Note: Let me be totally clear -- in no way do I believe the discipler should take the place of the parent (In case you think this sentence, 'A mentor may say things that a father cannot; a boy can confess to his mentor that which would bring shame to reveal to his father,' conveys that.)

If warriors disciple to prepare people for physical battle,

should not believers disciple to prepare people for spiritual battle?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6.12

i'm little.

2010-02-06T15:55:00.009-05:00

I'm reading Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis right now. (Recommended to us by Tony Hall of Cornerstone Church in Columbus. Thanks Tony.) In a chapter titled 'Why Gospel?', they discuss how the church must be gospel-centered, which implies that:

the gospel is a word; so
the church must be word-centered
the gospel is a missionary word; so
the church must be mission-centered

Those are 2 solid statements. They go on to discuss implications of being mission-centered (cited from Christopher J.H. Wright's The Mission of God):

We ask, 'Where does God fit into the story of my life?,' when the real question is 'Where does my little life fit into this great story of God's mission?'
We want to be driven by a purpose that has been tailored just right for our own individual lives, when we should be seeing the purpose of all life, including our own, wrapped up in the great mission of God for the whole of creation.
We talk about 'applying the Bible to our lives.' What would it mean to apply our lives to the Bible instead, assuming the Bible to be the reality-the real story-to which we are called to conform ourselves?
We wrestle with 'making the gospel relevant to the world.' But...God is about the business of transforming the world to fit the shape of the gospel.
We argue about what can legitimately be included in the mission that God expects from the church, when we should ask what kind of church God wants for the whole range of his mission.
I may wonder what kind of mission God has for me, when I should be asking what kind of me God wants for his mission.

These statements are incredibly humbling. They indicate a total shift in perspective. No longer can I think the world revolves around me. To think this way indicates that I understand that all things were created through him and for him (Col 1.16), that the Lord acts primary for the sake of His glory (Ezek. 36.22), that God is LORD and I am not (Joel 2.27). It becomes increasingly evident that I am oh so small, and God is, well, huge.

Even as I reread those statements, I believe them in with my mind. But it is so hard to live it. To daily think, act, make decisions, speak like I really believe that it's not all about me.

That's what I want though. I want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Rom 12.2)

BUENA VISTA!

2010-02-04T17:58:00.003-05:00

Stacie and I are in BUENA VISTA, Virginia, hanging out with one of the sweetest youth groups in the country (don't be jealous). They're watching me write this right now...

Got to meet Morgan & Kiara, 2 students who are going on Operation Barnabas this summer, and Chase, who may or may not own a bakery. Oh yeah, and Christina Winston, a 2008 OB alumni who is going on Operation Barnabas International this summer.

12 of the 30 day adventure continues.

day 12

2010-02-03T20:57:00.006-05:00

So here we are, day 12 of the 30 day adventure.

The stats:

10 states

3800 miles (roughly)

11 host homes

We've had countless meetings and have moved around so much we can't remember where we are, where we've been, or where we're going.

I've been reading lots (leadership books and biblical prophecy) and listening to sermons. I'm full of thoughts and ideas... but we're busy hanging out with the famous Bill & Patti Willhite, so meaningful posts are going to have to wait a day or 2.

Just wanted you to know that we're still alive, currently in Virginia, and working on avoiding the forecast several feet of snow (yeah. that's no exaggeration.)

bye bye florida

2010-01-31T12:11:00.003-05:00

Just finished up at Grace Church of Sebring this morning.

Grabbing a quick lunch with Chris Ogden,

then off to Tampa for a meeting with Mike Richards,

and then we head to South Carolina.

About 600 miles to drive today. That will take our total to over 3000 miles in the last 9 days.

Pray for us today, please.

hats for haiti

2010-01-29T13:15:00.005-05:00

The Krochet Kids are a non-profit that make hats to benefit the people of Uganda, and are also helping to provide some economic development to a group of women in Uganda.

They have responded to the Haitian earthquake in an awesome way -- they made 7 hats and have put them up for sale on eBay. 100% of the money will go to Haiti, and the Krochet Kids will match whatever the hats sell for. There is just over a day left on the bidding. The hats are sweet.

Check it out.

it starts with one

2010-01-28T18:06:00.003-05:00

A question that we're asked a lot is:

'How do we get our people/church/youth/adults to "get" discipleship?'

How do we show people it's important, how do we make people passionate, how do we encourage them to do it?

In talking with Randy Smith of Grace Church of Sebring yesterday, we heard a great answer:

'Just find one person, and do it.'

If you are the only person in your whole church that wants to be involved in discipleship, find someone younger who wants investment, and do it. Just do it. Be the example. Live it. Let the passion spread, grassroots. It will. Then when people ask why disciple, or how to disciple, you will have answers. You'll have answers because you'll be living it.

I'm not trying to oversimply the fact that you may be struggling to find other who want to be involved in discipleship. But if you aren't doing it, how can anyone else follow?

Lead. Disciple.

What's the worst that could happen?

God's good gifts

2010-01-26T20:23:00.006-05:00

The last 24 hours have been awesome.

'...which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!'

Matthew 7.9-11

Last night we were in Alabama, and Leah and I talked for a while about what we were learning about prayer. The idea that the Lord wants to give us good gifts is so hard for us to grasp. I know it's true. But I am so arrogant that I want to feel like I have earned the things I'm given--that I'm good enough to receive good things. (That is obviously not the case: Psalm 14.3, Ephesians 1.3-14) Every good gift comes from above (James 1.17). It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God (Ezekiel 36.22, 32).

Today the Lord overwhelmed me with this truth in so many ways:

Morgan and I have been praying that God would give her real, deep spiritual relationships since September. Today Morgan told about a number of incredible conversations and friends that the Lord has brought into her life this week.
What a gift.
While gassing up the car (on our 700 mile drive from Alabama to Florida), I noticed that one of our tires was leaking air. A guy at the gas station said there was a repair shop down the road. We went there, a man immediately checked the both front tires, found some wear, and replaced them both within 10 minutes. The way the Lord orchestrated us stopping and hearing the leak at the very place where someone could fix it so quickly...
What a gift.
Andrew wasn't going to be able to go on Barnabas this summer. Yet instead of being frustrated or blaming people (or the Lord), he's continued to pursue the Lord - serving, learning, growing. Just today he found out that he is able to go. I can't even tell you how excited he is. (and me too--I'm so pumped this kid is going) And he acknowledged this for what it is ...
A gift.

Oh gosh I could go on and on. The Lord is blowing me away with how he answers prayer. And every time, it's a gift.

Day 4 of the 30 day adventure.

Stats so far: 9 states, 1951 miles, 2 new tires.

different state, different church, same struggles

2010-01-25T16:17:00.005-05:00

Today we met with a couple of pastors at a large (non Grace Brethren) church. It was so fun to talk with them, to hear about their vision for their youth ministry and their church at large, to talk about their creative ideas, to gain some new perspective.

But let me tell you what was really solidified for me today:

churches are facing the same issue across the nation.

I know, it's not all the same. Struggles vary based on culture and context and demographics and staff and... whatever.

But we meet with pastors and church staff all.the.time. The thing we hear over and over?

how do we better cultivate real, deep, life changing, spiritually based relationships.

I certainly don't have all the answers. I know some things that are working in a variety of places. I'll work on posting some of those. But I write this really just to encourage you -- if your church is struggling to really cultivate good community, you are not alone.

Let's fight this good fight of faith together.

(day 3 of the 30 day adventure. finishing up in tennessee, and on to alabama for the night. florida tomorrow!)

volunteer state

2010-01-23T21:33:00.003-05:00

Stacie and I are spending the night in the Volunteer state (who knows where we are)?

And going to Fountain of Life Bible Church tomorrow morning, and then out to lunch with Josh Banks (the youth pastor) and his wife.

Then it's off to the Palmetto state (who knows?)

It's day 1 of our 30 day adventure. Stay tuned.

faith in the midst of fear

2010-01-22T22:08:00.004-05:00

There are lots of reasons I love my job. Just this week I experienced one of them...

A student who has the opportunity to go on Operation Barnabas this summer was feeling anxious about it. The realization that a summer on Barnabas means six weeks away from home was just starting to settle in, and that, understandably led to some fear.

So we talked. And lots of people were praying. And the Lord very evidently directed...

And this student plans to go on Barnabas this summer.

The fear isn't all gone.

But this student is choosing to operate out of faith instead of fear.

To respond to the Lord's prompting and to go.

I cannot tell you how proud this make me. How excited. What an incredible example.

And it makes me think:

how is the Lord asking me to step out in faith, even amidst my fear?

What is he asking of you?

2 Timothy 1.7:

'God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.'

winter weekend fun

2010-01-20T11:19:00.006-05:00

Last weekend, Stacie, Matt Wheeland and I had the chance to speak at the First Christian Church of Kendallville's winter retreat.

It. Was. A. Blast.

Here are the reasons why (in no particular order):

The Kendallville youth group is super friendly. We felt totally at home with them.
We got to teach. Boldly.
Stacie shared the gospel, and students responded. Praise God!
Beatboxing harmonica
Dan Cosentino. He's funny.
Hanging out with 2009 Barnabas alumni.
Hanging out with 2010 Barnabas students.
Actually being warm at night (remember last year? we forgot everything...)
Getting to talk about God's justice - from Isaiah 58, Isaiah 61, Luke 4.

The three of us taught 4 sessions. The topic? Identity in Christ. I don't want to give too much detail on what we taught (as we may or may not be using some of the same material in future retreats... :) But I will say that this topic is absolutely one of my favorites. Ephesians 1 and 2 Peter 1 talk so much about what God has done for us through Christ, and the inheritance that we have in Him. I have victory because of what Christ has done. I am not slave to my sin or my past or ... anything. I am slave to Christ. And co-heir with Him. And the more I talk about it, write about it, read about it, teach about it... the more I am overwhelmed by this incredible promise.

Getting to focus on that for a whole weekend with a group of students was incredible. And to see what the Lord did in the lives of students and adults was awesome. Because the truth of God transforms lives. Period.

Kendallville: we love you. Thanks for having us, and we can't wait to do it again.

matt chandler update

2010-01-17T19:55:00.003-05:00

Matt Chandler is a pastor at the Village Church in Texas. I think I've mentioned him before -- this Thanksgiving started a long process of discovering that he has brain cancer. His testimony through this has been in.cred.i.ble. The Lord has taught me so much about perseverance, contentment, and giving glory to the HIM alone through Chandler's example. He posted an update this weekend. Here's his first video update in case you missed it (from when he first shared with people what's happening-couldn't figure out how to embed it, so it's the link), and then his update from this weekend.

Video from Matt

imitation::my discipler? or Jesus?

2010-01-15T16:51:00.003-05:00

Like I mentioned earlier, Stacie and I had the opportunity to teach a small group elective at Wooster Grace on discipleship this past Sunday and Wednesday. (We had a blast, by the way.)

Wednesday evening we had a high school student, Dakota, stick around to talk with us. She told us that she is in a small group, that she meets regularly with her small group leader, and that this woman clearly holds the role of discipler in her life. And then she asked us, quite simply and straightforwardly, who she should be imitating ... Jesus or her discipler?

(Now let me tell you right now: this girl is sharp. You can tell when you talk to her that she loves Jesus and she loves people. You can sense her hunger to grow. She's just one of those people that you know is so sincere. She genuinely wanted to understand the disconnect.)

We clarified the idea -- that her discipler is merely to point her to Jesus. To help her better understand what it is to imitate Jesus. That to imitate one is to imitate the other. It was a great conversation.

And in that moment, I was reminded of a truth that we can so easily lose sight of:

it's not about us.

We are a picture, 'Jesus in skin' if you will, for younger people to imitate. We help them bring the truth of Scripture into today. Absolutely.

But if we ever, EVER cause people to chose between imitating Jesus OR imitating us, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Discipleship (investment, imitation, whatever) is a high calling. Let's not forget Titus 2 -we are called to live holy lives, and then to have others follow that example.

It should never be imitate Jesus or imitate my discipler... they should always go hand in hand.

why i love discipleship #284

2010-01-11T16:39:00.004-05:00

Because you get phonecalls that go something like this,

'Ever since I've been back at school, I have had so many good spiritual conversations with my friends. It's amazing! Thanks for praying with me... God is totally answering.

Hey can we talk about what the Bible says about...'

What could be sweeter to hear from a 19 year old college freshman?

(or from anyone, for that matter...)

the thrill of your passion...

2010-01-10T16:09:00.003-05:00

Stacie and I are sitting here prepping for a 'hot topic small group' teaching time. We're teaching on, surprise surprise, discipleship. We have taught this lesson dozens and dozens of times, yet, somehow, it never gets old.

When you teach on something you're passionate about, it always feels like the first time.

buckeye country, we're coming back to you...

2010-01-09T18:32:00.002-05:00

Stacie and I head to Ohio tomorrow.

First stop, Wooster Grace. Tomorrow night.

You should come...

leadership: an honorable ambition

2010-01-08T15:10:00.005-05:00

Starting Spiritual Leadership by J.Oswald Sanders today.

All Christians are called to develop God-given talents, to make the most of their lives, and to develop to the fullest their God-given gifts and capabilities.

Desiring to excel is not sin. It is motivation that determines ambition's character... Ambition which centers on the glory of God...is a mighty force for good.

These sentences in this first chapter reminded me of the BCS championship game yesterday. (oh my gosh I love college football. So much. Especially THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Rose Bowl champs this year, in case you missed it.) Anyway. If you missed the game, Alabama (#1) played Texas (#2). Colt McCoy, Texas star quarterback, was injured in the first drive of the game and was out for the whole game. And while Texas gave a great effort, they ended up losing the game.

In his interview after the game, McCoy spoke clearly of his faith:

I'd say his ambition is pretty well centered on the glory of God. And is certainly a mighty force for good.

Thanks for exemplifying great leadership for us, Colt McCoy.

(for another great video of his testimony check this out. Or here. Or Sam Bradford)

promises

2010-01-07T11:47:00.002-05:00

In August I read Battling Unbelief by John Piper. I was challenged in a number of ways, but the overarching theme of the book is that we fall into sin when we cease believing the promises of God. Piper cites dozens of promises throughout the book as he discusses various common sins.

And I started to wonder... how many promises did God make in Scripture? I bet there are all kinds of promises-not just promises that are specific to us, but also promises to individuals throughout Scripture that teach us more about the Lord's character.

So in August I started in Genesis. I'm just working my way through. And I'm writing down every promise that I find. I've almost filled a whole journal.

It's now January and I'm in Jeremiah. And I continue to be astonished at all the God has promised. Our God is so amazing.

This is one that I read this morning. It's a promise that was specifically made to Jeremiah, but 'this great promise also has wider application to all the people of God, particularly as they call out for understanding and he gives them understanding of his word and his purpose in their lives.' (ESV study Bible):

'Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things you have not known.' Jeremiah 33.3

giftedness. character.

2010-01-06T09:46:00.005-05:00

It’s said that giftedness is what gets you places, but character is what keeps you there. We need to focus on the character of people and intentionally think through whether or not giving them a leadership position (in any capacity) is best for their long term character development. We don’t usually think about it this way. We see the gifts someone has and then typically release them in ministry. But often times this can lead to a damaged heart and potentially one filled with so much pride that it causes their ministry to come to an end.

Chuck Bomar said this on his blog this week. I've been reading and rereading it.

Thinking about the students that I know. Literally students all over the country, in various stages of high school and college, with more opportunities to lead and serve than I could even tell you about.
Thinking about students that I personally have pushed or placed in leadership.
Thinking about students that have succeeded tremendously.
Thinking about students that have fallen apart.
Thinking about my own successes.... my own failures.

I can identify a kid with 'leadership potential'. Potential that is wrapped up in their gifts. And, to be honest, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The Lord gifts us in different ways, and leadership is certainly a gift. (Not that you can't lead at all without the gift of leadership... but that's another conversation entirely.)

But how do I develop leaders? Do I spend so much time and effort on their skills as a leader that I miss their character?

And, more personally, do I do that with myself?

...Sometimes, yeah. I totally do. With myself, and with others.

There are huge implications here. This is something that deserves some attention.

accepting the challenge

2010-01-05T09:33:00.002-05:00

Mark Artrip, youth pastor at Grace Church of Powell and my good friend, has challenged me to blog consistently this year.

I publicly accept your challenge, Mark.

At least 3 times a week you will see an update. (Except for June and July... read the Operation Barnabas blogs then. I'll be busy...)

sunny (??) california

2009-12-10T10:28:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update:

We ARE in California, but it has not been quite so sunny. Chilly, and even snowing in the town we're headed to this weekend.

(But it is overall much nicer here than in the wintery tundra of Indiana).

Saw Caleb, Anna, and Zach, bringing our 2009 alumni total up to 80.

Feeling pretty proud of that.

And really proud of these students.

Off to meet with another one today, and then visit churches in Cherry Valley, Hemet, and Yucca Valley.

Should be able to post more later today. Just wanted you to know that we're here and we're loving it.

point to the Spirit

2009-12-04T13:19:00.006-05:00

I think this is so good:

How Jesus Made Disciples: Pointing to the Spirit

Mike Anderson
Director of the Resurgence
Jesus points the disciples to the power of the Holy Spirit
At the last supper Jesus points to the coming of the Spirit, which will allow them to continue in the work that he's started. Jesus is under no illusion that the sheep have become smart enough to stay away from the dangers of wolves, disease, bad pastures, and the like. He knows they will need guidance, they will need power, and they will be given all of that by the Spirit.
Jesus makes sure that they know that the Spirit is operating out of the same authority from the Father that he was given. He tells them that they are dependent on the Spirit for everything they will need.
We must point our disciples to the Spirit. They need him. They need his power. The Spirit is often avoided because he's not defined in the flesh and blood way the Son is, nor is he as obvious as the Father, but the Spirit is full of power, and is omnipresent, and is omni-powerful, and is good, and is essential to the salvation of all people. Disciples need the Spirit, without the Spirit you have sheep leading sheep off a cliff or into a wolf's den. We need the Spirit to guide us, to convict us, to empower us, to lead us to repentance, and to continue to point us to the cross of Christ.
This is a series of reflections on how Jesus made disciples, based on the book of John.

If it's not about getting them to rely on our Lord, then it's fruitless. You don't want a bunch of disciples who depend on you for their every move.

Thanks again, Resurgence.

biggest loser... discipleship edition?

2009-11-30T14:53:00.004-05:00

This is the first year that I've really followed the Biggest Loser. Last week I got to see the 'where are they now?' episode. (If you don't follow it or missed the show, they followed up with a bunch of people that have been on the show over the past 7 season to see where they are now. Clever.)

At one point, 10 or 15 of them gathered for a dinner (and then a half marathon the next day... they are healthy now, after all). These are people from various seasons who have built relationships with each other over their common interests and experiences. At the end of the meal one of their trainers came out and told them how proud she was of them, and how glad she was they were in community with each other, holding each other accountable, pushing each other.

Then Bob (another trainer) drops in on Erik, a previous winner who lost over 200 pounds... and gained 195 back. Erik says he was worried about seeing and talking to Bob because he didn't want him to be disappointed or angry. And Bob tells Erik it's okay, and that they are going to come up with a plan of action to get the weight back off.

All I could think as I was watching was ... ohmygosh this is discipleship. These people have learned that the way that they can best achieve their goals, the way they can grow and learn and change the fastest, the way that they can stay on track is in community with other people. With their peers, and with their trainers.

Why do we think it is any different with our spiritual lives? The best way to achieve our goals, to grow, to learn, to change, to stay on track is in community. With our peers, and with our trainers... our disciplers.

Sometimes it amazes me when I see such biblical concepts played out in the world...

missing Christ because of your cause

2009-11-23T11:03:00.004-05:00

Read this today on Heather Zempel's blog.

"The disciples didn't lay their lives down for a cause but for a person."

That's how Dave Buehring kicked off his talk on the Ways of God at our Kaboom Retreat (formerly zone leader/team leader retreat) this weekend.

For some reason, that one statement is really challenging me personally and challenging the way I lead my team. I fear that I have spent too much time motivating people to a cause- make disciples, advance the Kingdom, create culture, change a generation, etc. That's all good stuff, but it's not the ultimate goal, is it? Maybe I should focus a bit more on simply elevating the person of Jesus Christ.

Causes are good. Causes build fans and create evangelists. Christ is better. He builds communities of faith and creates martyrs. Not that we all want to rush out to the Colosseum to volunteer ourselves for lion dinner. But laying down our lives is one of the ways we follow Jesus Christ.

The disciples didn't lay their lives down for some great cause that had captivated their emotions and imaginations. They laid their lives down for a person who had already laid his own life down for them.

Why am I more cause focused than person focused? Perhaps it is more comfortable and easy for me to acquaint myself with and attach myself to a cause than to enter a messy and flesh-killing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Making me think. Thoughts soon to follow.

read this if you know a 2009 barnabas alumni...

2009-11-12T13:19:00.008-05:00

Last weekend Stacie and I got to be a part of the 2009 Operation Barnabas reunion. We loaded up the bus Thursday night and headed to Columbus. Friday morning we, along with 21 students, headed off to Philadelphia (with one more stop in western PA to pick up 10 more). We got to Urban Hope Friday evening to spend the weekend there reconnecting, loving & serving the community, and working with the Urban Hope staff. Altogether we had 44 students & 8 leaders together.

We got to do all kinds of sweet things:

hang out at Friday night ROCK with a bunch of kids from the block
'scavenger hunt' on South Street -- lots of opportunities to talk with people and to share Jesus
good time with the Lord, and in worship, and in prayer
sharing from a few leaders
manual labor
Thanksgiving meal sign ups
hanging with THE Ed Lewis
time together as teams
1/2 of us at a local church and 1/2 at Urban Hope's Sunday service & Kingdom Kids

All of those things were great. Seriously. It's always good to be together again, to be involved in serving again, to reminisce about the summer.

The best part? Let's call it the

covenant community of faith.

These students share a bond that is unexplainable. They have been honest with each other about their struggles and sins. They have prayed for each other. They have shared their faith together. They have read Scripture together. They have loved and encouraged one another when they most needed it. They have loved and encouraged others together when they most needed it. These students, they are a part of the body of Christ. And they have learned together what that really means.

So last weekend, on the bus, during team time, during manual labor, while walking the neighborhood, I watched these students function as part of the body of Christ, as part of the covenant community of faith. At one point I was moved to tears as I recognized genuine, Christlike love in these high school students.

I know my job is to spend time with these kids. So maybe you think I'm biased. But I think these students, these 2009 Barnabas alumni, are incredible. The Lord continues work in their hearts and work through their lives.

If you know a 2009 Barnabas alumni, ask them about what they're learning about the body of Christ. Watch them in action. Thank the Lord for what he's doing. Man. I'm overwhelmed. Seriously. God. Is. So. Good.

(wanna see some pictures of the weekend?)

goals of discipleship :: ministry skills

2009-11-03T13:22:00.006-05:00

ministry (n) : the spiritual work or service of any Christian or a group of Christians, especially evangelism

skills (n) : the ability to do something well, expertise (both from Oxford American Dictionary)

The last of our series (which I started oh so long ago... need a refresher? Check out the first 2 on character and biblical understanding).

The third goal of discipleship is to develop a student's ministry skills. This includes a whole range of things, from basic interpersonal interaction, to evangelism, to specific spiritual gifts... and the list goes on. Your disciple should be better equipped for ministry as a result of your time together.

If I'm being honest, I'd say this is the area of discipleship that is most lacking in our churches today. While there is room for improvement in the areas of developing character and biblical understanding, in many places we are at least attempting to address these two. But ministry skills are often completely overlooked. We get together for coffee and talk about how we're struggling, how we're succeeding, and what we're learning in Scripture, but it's not often that we get up, go out, and do a project together, get involved in ministry together.

When it comes to helping develop ministry skills, I think there are some simple, practical things ways to start:

take a spiritual gifts inventory together: an inventory isn't foolproof, but it is a good starting place. Especially since many students (and adults, if we're honest) don't really know what their gifts are. The Resurgence has a great series available online about an extensive list of gifts, including descriptions and indicators of each gift.
study different evangelism techniques: there are tons out there. From your own testimony, to tracks, to the Way of the Master, to basic verses that lay out the gospel. Why not take some time to learn new ways and talk about your favorite ways to share the gospel. And then go out and do it. Whether you go to an organized outreach, or the mall, or the fair, or a football game -- there are unsaved people everywhere you go. While it may be uncomfortable for your disciple (and for you!) the first time, there is no better way to learn about evangelism than to do it. And it is so beneficial for you to go together, as you can help to guide your disciple, and then debrief afterwards, and share the joy of evangelism (Philemon 6).
develop projects based on needs/circumstances: this depends on your disciple and what the Lord is working in them. For example, Leah wants to become more disciplined in quietly waiting on the Lord in her prayer life. So we did an exercise where we each wrote a letter to ourselves from the Lord (based on the model in Revelation 2-3). This provided good quiet time, and gave each of us direction and insight into things the Lord wanted us to do. Katie loves people, but often is so busy at school that she was struggling to know how to love on them. We decided she'd pray for one person in each of her classes every day, and really focus on that one person. It has allowed given her purpose in each class and the Lord is using it to direct her love and passion for people.
do things together: anytime you can be involved in any kind of ministry together, do it. You will gain invaluable insight into your disciple's gifts, passions, strengths, and weaknesses when you are working alongside them. Morgan is part of a mentoring program at college, where she works with a couple girls from underprivileged homes. Last month I got to meet those girls and hang out with them and Morgan and just see her in action. It was a blast. So fun to see her initiate with them, love on them, and direct them.

Jesus trained his disciples in ministry. Obviously. They followed him around as he prayed, taught, healed, loved, and died. Our disciples need the same training.

Sometimes it's uncomfortable, because it's outside of our disciple's (and our own) comfort zone. But uncomfortable does not necessarily mean bad. Even Jesus put his disciples in uncomfortable situations. Sometimes it is necessary for our growth.

Character. Biblical understanding. Ministry skills.

How are you challenging your disciple in these areas?

What is Scripture?

2009-11-03T13:18:00.003-05:00

The Resurgence is doing a series on their blog about what Scripture is. I think it is worthwhile to check out, as we need to be continually deepening our understanding of Scripture and its value as we disciple others.

Thanks, Resurgence.

2009-10-27T12:06:00.001-04:00

Columbus here we come. Meeting with some potential OBers this afternoon. Check soon for an update on iowa. Such a good weekend.

2009-10-26T13:57:00.001-04:00

Rainy around chicago. On my 3rd chandler sermon of the day. The Spirit keeps teaching. Man God is good.

burdened

2009-10-23T16:28:00.006-04:00

I told you 2 days ago that we had seen 62 of our alum (we're up to 63 now. And #64 tomorrow.) And I told you that only 1 was not doing well.

Over the last couple of days I have been burdened by this 1 student. And I mean, burdened. This afternoon I have found myself fighting back tears multiple times.

Can I be honest with you?

My heart is aching. I feel heavy. I feel so sad. I feel so angry. Tired. At a loss of words. Full of questions.

And I feel like I need to ask you, to beg you, to pray for this student. Please. Pray that God breaks their heart. That He does whatever He needs to do bring this one home. That He will strip them of things, relationships, comforts, identity, whatever else that is a distraction or a hindrance to a vital relationship with Jesus.

While I don't enjoy feeling this kind of misery, I thank God that my heart is still soft enough to break over something like this. That I haven't been so burned and hardened by the trials of life, of ministry, that I no longer feel sorrow over one who is lost. I pray I never get to that place. And if you are there, I pray for your refreshment, for your softening.

I read something today that reminded me of this truth--that any of us persists in our walk with Jesus is truly a miracle, and it is by His grace and empowerment in our lives.

Thank you Jesus, for keeping me and many of my brothers and sisters close to you. Please break the hearts of those who are wandering. 'Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, o Lord.' (Psalm 83.16)

statistics

2009-10-21T17:11:00.004-04:00

I was a math major in college. (Some of you are judging me now. That's fine. I love math and I don't care who knows it.)

Anyways. I love numbers. So I thought I'd share some with you now.

In the last 6.5 weeks:

# of states we've visited: 3

# of Operation Barnabas 2009 alumni we have seen: 62

# of 09 alumni that are in (or are actively pursing) discipleship: 61

Okay. I don't know what that does for you. But 61 out of 62?! That is clearly the work of the Lord. He is protecting, growing, and using these students in awesome ways. There are stories of these young people sharing their faith, confronting believers in their sin, leading their peers, investing in younger people. I am so so thankful.

There is that one though. And it makes me think of the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18.10-14. I am praying often that Jesus will pursue this one who is wandering from Him, that He will draw their heart back and restore them. I ask that you pray the same. We rejoice greatly over our 61. And we grieve over the 1.

We just wanted you to know where we're at. Thank you thank you thank you to those who pray for us and our ministry. Thank you for praying for these students. Don't stop. Just because their summer is over doesn't mean they don't need prayer --- they need it now more than ever. God is moving in and through them.

tomorrow: Michigan

the weekend: Iowa

next week: Ohio

t09ether ... should've been there

2009-10-12T15:33:00.005-04:00

T09ether was this past weekend. If you weren't there, you should've been. (Too bad you can't turn back time.) It was a blast to reconnect with students from Operation Barnabas & Momentum, to worship together with Jeremy Byng and his band, and to hear great teaching from our friend Kondo Simfukwe.

The whole goal was to encourage students to continue to pursue Jesus. We really focused on the theme, Together, and challenged students to be committed to each other for accountability, and to older believers for discipleship.

Kondo took us to 2 Corinthians 12, and reminded us that God allows 'thorns' in our lives to keep us humble. To remind us that we are weak. That anything good about us, any strengths we have, any accomplishments we achieve, are ALL by his grace and power.

And so we need to be real about our weaknesses. We need to be open with others about them. We need to let people see who we truly are - that we're not always strong, that we don't have it all together. Why is that so important? Because when people know that we are weak and broken on our own, they will have no choice but to recognize Jesus' work in our lives when good things happen in or through us.

Here's what he left us with:

what is your spiritual 'claim to fame'? (what's your strength?)
what is your thorn? (what's your weakness?)
who are you going to share your weakness with?

If you are discipling someone, you should ask them these questions.

And if you're not being discipled, you should find someone to tell your answers to.

2009-10-08T22:12:00.001-04:00

On our way to columbus for the night. Breakfast with 2 of our fav andrews in the morning. Then on to winona...

2009-10-08T16:10:00.001-04:00

Western pa is so beautiful this time of year. Ps who's coming to TOGETHER 09?

college students. and church. i'm getting worked up...

2009-10-06T15:47:00.005-04:00

I have the privilege of discipling 3 different young women this year. One is a senior in high school, and 2 are freshmen in college. The discipleship process looks different for each one of them. I love each of them, love working with each one of them, and love seeing the unique things that God is doing in each of their lives.

There are also a number of Barnabas students from the last few years that are freshmen in college this year, and they, along with Morgan & Leah (my 2 freshmen), have been working through something that I'm becoming more and more passionate about. What is it? I'll tell you...

choosing a church

As I talk to Morgan, and to Leah, and to numerous other college freshmen about this topic, I'm learning that so many students do not know how to choose a church on their own. Now, we can't really fault them for this -- most students have gone to church with their family for their whole lives. They've never had to choose a church on their own before.

But as I recognize that truth, I'm starting to wonder something...

Why aren't we doing more to prepare our college students to find a church in college?

We should teach them to read a church's statement of faith
... and that it's okay (and even important) to visit a lot of churches before they choose one
... and what are points of doctrine that are non-negotiable ('close-handed issues')
... and what are matters of preference that can be different than the way things are at their home church ('open-handed issues')
... and that going to church is not an option
... and what the definition of a church is (looking for a good one? Check out Driscoll's work in Vintage Church)

I don't even think it's too much to say that someone (discipler, parent, youth pastor) from a student's home church should do a little research alongside the student on churches in the area. Help your student, even before they leave for school, to develop a list of churches that are worth checking out.

It's exciting for me to talk with Leah and with Morgan about the churches that they visit. To hear what they liked, what they didn't like, how they're learning about biblical non-negotiables of church, how they're recognizing their own preferences. I love it.

If you know a college freshman, I challenge you to give them a call this week and ask them how the church hunt is going. I bet they'll appreciate it.

2009-10-05T13:49:00.001-04:00

Discipleship seminar tonight at the meyersdale grace brethren church. You should come.

praying for your timothy

2009-10-03T11:38:00.004-04:00

Had a meeting with Drew, one of our students, and his discipler this week. His discipler said something so sweet. He told us about how he's been learning about discipleship, about the relationship between Paul & Timothy, and how he started to

pray for a Timothy.

And then Drew came home from his summer on Barnabas and approached him and asked to be discipled. It was a no brainer.

That is seriously beautiful to me.

If there isn't any discipleship in your life -- are you praying for a Timothy (someone younger to invest in) or for a Paul (someone older to invest in you)? I challenge you to that.

2009-09-27T14:41:00.001-04:00

on the road again. Pennsylvania here we come.

goals of discipleship :: biblical understanding

2009-09-24T14:14:00.002-04:00

biblical (adj) : of, relating to, or contained in the Bible (Oxford American Dictionary)

understanding (n) : mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation (dictionary.com)

The second goal of discipleship is to see your disciple's biblical understanding develop. Your disciple should understand the origin and reliability of the Bible, know how to study the Bible, and be able to trace salvation through the story of the Bible.

Here's the reality. The assumption is being made that because students have spent some amount of time in church, or youth group, or whatever, that they know their Bibles. That somewhere along the line, they've picked up the skill of Bible reading.

Wrong.

The more time we spend with students, the more we recognize that they don't know how to read their Bibles. They don't know where to start, what exactly they are supposed to do, even what they're supposed to get out of it. They have no plan and no skills, and we just keep telling them 'Read your Bible'. Not too helpful...

We need to help our disciples see the need for reading their Bibles. What's the point? Well here's a few:

nourishment (1 Peter 2.2)
mental transformation (Romans 12.2)
victory over sin (John 8.31-32)
discernment and wisdom (Hebrews 5.13-14)
ministry (2 Timothy 3.16-17)
appreciating grace (Romans 2.4)
understanding self
motivation (this was mentioned in the character portion -- we want our disciples to make right choices because their hearts desire to follow Christ. Conviction, motivation, instruction-these all should come first from Scripture.)

(List taken from Organic Disciplemaking, by Dennis McCallum & Jessica Lowery)

As your disciple understands the need for reading Scripture, he or she will need to know how to study. This summer, we taught our students' a simple 4 step hermeneutic (Bible interpretation) method:

Grasp the text in their town: who is the original audience? where did they live? what are important aspects of their culture? what is the meaning of the text to this audience?
Measure the width of the river to cross: what are the differences in time, culture, language, situation, covenant, etc? (this is where we focus on differences between 'them' and 'us')
Cross the principlizing bridge: what is the theological principle in this text? (this is where we focus on similarities between 'them' and 'us')
Grasp the text in our town: what is the application for a believer today?

(steps originally taken from Grasping God's Word, by Duvall)

We need to teach our disciples that they cannot just apply every verse that they read immediately to their lives. They need to go through the process of interpreting the passage and understanding how they fit into the story of Scripture, instead of how the Scripture fits into their story.

To aid in this process of studying Scripture, our disciples should be equipped with good tools. At the very least, a good study Bible. (We highly recommend the ESV study Bible -- it is a reliable translation, has great notes, and excellent articles (such as an God's Plan of Salvation, Biblical Ethics, Interpreting the Bible, Reading the Bible, the Reliability of the Bible, the Bible and World Religions, Salvation in the Old Testament... just to name a few).) There are also tons of commentaries, Bible dictionaries, sermons (free online!), and Bible studies. We live in an age with a plethora of Biblical materials available to us. Let's help our disciples learn to make use of them.

Lastly, your disciple needs a plan. Without a reading plan, it is so easy to skip one day, two days, three, five, ten, a month ... When there is a plan in place, it is much easier to stay on track day to day. The plan may be to read through Matthew this month, and study the sayings of Jesus. Or it may be to read the Bible cover to cover and keep track of principles of God, however long it takes. Or it may be to read Ephesians once a day for a month. It doesn't matter what the plan is, just as long as there is one.

You may need to show your disciple why we study Scripture.
You may need to teach your disciple the basics of hermeneutics.
You may need to provide your disciple with some study tools.
You may need to help your disciple develop a reading plan.
You may need to ask your disciple every.single.day. if he or she is reading.
You may need to actually read with your disciple when you get together.

Do whatever you need to do to stress the importance of Scripture. The reality is, you don't want your disciple to rely on you. You want him or her to rely on the Lord, on His Word. You will only truly communicate that if you model that, and if you empower & enable them to rely on Him.

Buffalo Bowl

2009-09-24T12:18:00.000-04:00

Finally, I (Stacie) am writing a blog entry!

Community Grace of Warsaw is in the midst of planning their 2^nd annual Jr. and Sr. high Buffalo Bowl. The Buffalo Bowl is a 5 on 5 flag football tournament for students in the area. The Buffalo Bowl is on Oct. 17^th. Registration opens at 9am at Community Grace in Warsaw. If you are in the area then make a team of five and come on out to the Buffalo Bowl!

One of the goals is to get as many kids to come out as possible, so we can present the Gospel and pray that God moves in the hearts of these teens! The second goal is to have the student leaders at Community Grace to take on new leadership roles, plan and run this event. These are the two key components of why we are doing this outreach event!

I am excited to be part of this process. Our church has OB alum from this summer who are planning, leading, praying, and inviting friends to this event in the hopes of God doing something big. It is such huge blessings to watch students desire to not only come to this event, but desire to lead it. We have asked each student to go where they feel God has gifted them in. We have one girl who has the gift of administration and she is making sure everything is happening and keeping us organized.

It is awesome when students get it but it is even more exciting to me when adults get it. The adults at Community Grace know it’s not about us. We can plan and lead an event, but it is about equipping and empowering the students to do it. Tim Clothier, youth pastor at Community Grace, is very much aware of this. It was his desire to have students serve in the areas that God has gifted them in. The adults are coming alongside these students to love and encourage them, but it is the students who are leading the charge!

I am excited to see what God is going to do through the Buffalo Bowl on Oct. 17^th. I hope that I can blog that many people came to a saving faith in Jesus that day. However God uses this church and these people that day I know I will be able to say that students understood ministry and leadership!

goals of discipleship :: character

2009-09-23T13:09:00.001-04:00

character (n) : the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. (Oxford American Dictionary)

The first goal of discipleship is to see your disciple's character develop. This includes the way that your disciple loves others & loves God.

Character change involves identifying and overcoming sins and bad habits, and replacing those things with attitudes and behaviors that honoring to the Lord. Of course, that's often easier said than done.

I think we have seen churches attack this goal through accountability groups (your church may call them something different, but you know what I mean). We get involved with one other person, or even a small group of people, we let them know what we struggle with, and then we check up on each other once a week or so. Of course, if we're honest, we have continued to struggle with our sin or bad habit, and admit that to the group. Most accountability groups I have been a part of end up being a time where we lament how badly things are going, or where we (silently, of course) compare ourselves to each other and breathe a sigh of relief that at least we're not as bad as that person.

(Now I'm sure that some of you have been involved in groups that have been nothing like that, and you have seen good encouragement and growth. Praise God for that. I certainly believe groups like that exist out there.)

I've learned something important through this though. Accountability, or character development, can't just be about identifying the sin/bad habit and fighting against it with all your might. It has to start with a love for Jesus. I mean, a real, deep love for Jesus. Because when you love someone, you want to please them. If your disciple loves Jesus, he or she will want to please Jesus. And pleasing Jesus includes living in freedom -- freedom from habitual sin, and freedom to love Jesus & love others.

That said, I believe character development must begin with a focus on Jesus Christ. Your disciple needs to have a vital walk with Jesus, including:

daily Bible reading
consistent time in prayer
confession of sin

As your disciple spends time in the Word and in prayer (and you, as the discipler, will likely need to instruct your disciple on these things. Read with them, pray with them, set goals for their time in the Word and in prayer, and hold them to it), he or she will have to come face to face with the kind of life that Jesus requires of HIS disciples. So now it is not just you, the discipler, 'nagging' over 'unacceptable behavior', but the Holy Spirit of God is involved in the process of identifying and convicting the sin.

Certainly there will be times (particularly, I think, when your disciple has a young or immature faith) when you will need to point out the area(s) of sin that exist. Sin (and the Enemy) have a way of blinding us, and as the discipler you have the privilege and responsibility of bringing those areas to light.

Pray for your disciple. Pray that the Lord gives you insight and discernment, that you would know the strongholds of sin that exist in your disciple's life, and even that you would know what specific areas the Spirit is working on so that you can be on the same page. And then set goals for addressing and overcoming that sin or bad habit. Remember, goals are measurable and attainable. Give your disciple a project, a set of verses, anything that will help to make progress.

Loving Jesus deeply doesn't just eradicate us of all sin instantaneously. Obviously. We know that in our own lives. So we shouldn't expect that of our disciples. We need to recognize, and help our disciples understand, that character development is a process. It's not an overnight quick fix. And, praise God, we are not in this process alone - we have the Holy Spirit of God living in us and working with us.

A quick summary:

character development starts with an intimate walk with Jesus (including Bible reading, prayer, & confession of sin)
pray for insight and discernment into the stronghold of sin in your disciple's life
work alongside the Spirit: deal first with the sins that the Spirit is convicting your disciple of
set goals for your disciple to assist in overcoming a sin or habit
remind your disciple (and yourself) that this is not a quick fix, but a growth process
you have the power of the Holy Spirit. use it.

Lastly, I'll leave you with some 'marks' of character development:

understands security in Christ, & how actions should be empowered by God, not self-effort
knows how to worship God in all ways, and with enthusiasm
understands the process of spiritual growth vs. quick fixes
knows and practices the means of growth as a lifestyle
able to withstand suffering with an attitude of faith
obeys God much of the time
victory over discrediting sin
loyal to God over materialistic goals
possesses an eternal value system
convinced that self-giving love is the key to fulfillment

(This list, and some of our ideas taken from Organic Disciplemaking, by Dennis McCallum & Jessica Lowery)

goals of discipleship

2009-09-22T12:16:00.001-04:00

Almost anytime we talk about discipleship, we highlight the practical aspects of it: what should discipleship DO? We believe it should affect 3 different areas:

1. character: how is your student's character becoming more like Christ as a result of your relationship?

2. biblical understanding: what is your student studying in Scripture? what are they learning?

3. ministry skills: how is your student being equipped to live missionally for Christ?

Over the next few days we'll talk through these things: a deeper explanation of each one, biblical support, and resources and ideas. Just wanted to whet your whistle (what does that even mean?)

(Note: posts on Crusade & Youth for Christ are still in the works. I realized it's going to take a little more research than I anticipated. Just didn't want you to think we were making empty promises.)

ohio has officially been ambassadized

2009-09-20T21:29:00.000-04:00

We're back in Winona. Ohio has officially been ambassadized.

That's all for now...

Just wanted to point out what a good updater I've been lately. Expect even more this week.

You're welcome.

hanging with the homeless in cleveland

2009-09-18T23:00:00.001-04:00

Just a quick update. Tonight Daniel (one of our 09 Barnabas alum) planned an outreach to the homeless in Cleveland. 9 of us gave out about 18 meals, a bunch of water, some clothes, and loved on people. Had the chance to share the gospel a few times. And praise the Lord Jesus, we have a new brother in Christ. Please pray for David, that the Lord will continue to grow him and bring believers into his life to support him.

Gosh I love this stuff...

discipleship at western reserve

2009-09-18T14:59:00.001-04:00

In January we sat around with Marty Dent and a bunch of his students who had been on Barnabas in the last couple years (o7 & 08). We discussed the need for discipleship and what it should accomplish. And we saw Marty affirm the value of discipleship as he publicly apologized to a couple of girls for setting them up with a discipler who hadn't come through in the way he had anticipated.

We walked away that night having learned a few things:

1. Marty Dent is the man.

2. He seriously believes in and invests in discipleship.

3. (students at Western Reserve are HILARIOUS)

Wednesday night we found ourselves back at Western Reserve, this time with mostly 2009 Barnabas alumni. We heard from each one of them about their transition home - about what has been good & what's been difficult, and about how they're currently involved in ministry. Here's what we learned

1. All 5 of our students are being personally discipled by an older adult.

2. All 5 also are involved in leadership for the middle school group. They help with their small groups, they go to their large group gatherings, they go to their outreach events. These high school students are all about loving on these younger kids and investing in them. Discipleship? Totally.

3. Most of them are spending consistent time in the Word and are excited about what they are learning. They're asking for new resources and ideas to further deepen their understanding of God's Word.

4. They recognize that they have an awesome church. They are surrounded by people who value, train, and use them. And they are so thankful for that. That shows some maturity.

This church is full of people that we just genuinely enjoy being around. In large part, I think it's because they understand and implement biblical discipleship.

Titus 2:

2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers s or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned.

Thanks, Marty & the rest of the Western Reserve-ers, for showing us a practical example of what this passage looks like.

discipleship at rittman

2009-09-18T14:12:00.000-04:00

Installment 1 of the promised updates:

Discipleship at Rittman

We met with Brian (a 2009 alum) and his pastor, Bud, & discipler, Rob, yesterday. Brian had a great summer learning and developing as a leader. He's a senior in high school now, and continues to attend Rittman Grace Brethren Church.

Brian came home excited to be involved and make a difference. He plays both soccer and football, and has really stepped up in leadership on his soccer team especially. After being home for a few days and struggling to really connect well with his team, he publicly apologized for his behavior and his attitude that were not honoring to Christ. Since then, his team has responded in an entirely different way to him, giving them their respect and followship. (I know that's not a word, but it should be.) He's also started a weekly Bible study with his youth group, and is discipling a guy that attends their church.

It was sweet to hear from both Bud and Rob about his growth and progress since he's been home. They both recognize that God has given Brian the skills and opportunities to lead, and so they're pushing him hard. They will not be content to let him be an unfaithful steward of what God has given him. That's exciting.

And that's discipleship. Pushing, challenging, encouraging your student to use the gifts, talents, abilities, relationships to honor the Lord as much as possible. Don't let them squander it.

Because the truth is, your student is your stewardship. You want them make the most of their opportunities? Then you have to make the most of yours.

'Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.' --Paul. (1 Corinthians 11.1)

Can you say that?

coming soon...

2009-09-18T11:08:00.001-04:00

Coming to the blog this afternoon: discipleship @ rittman & western reserve, discipleship @ home, discipleship via campus crusade & young life. Check us later

mark batterson strikes again.

2009-09-17T16:49:00.000-04:00

Sometimes people just speak right to your heart. Or communicate your heart for you without even realizing they're doing that. Read another blog by Mark Batterson that is SO important -- to discipleship, to leadership, to believers in general.

Spiritual Hunger
How hungry are you?

Spiritual hunger is the key to spiritual maturity. When you lose that spiritual hunger you stop seeking, asking, and knocking. You stop growing.

As leaders, this isn't something we can "give" to people. But we need to salt the oats so to speak. And we need to set the example. You know what you owe God and owe your congregation as a pastor? A deep spiritual hunger to know God more!

I remember when I first starting seeking the Lord. It was between my freshman and sophomore year of college. I would stay up late reading my Bible. I'd get up early to pray. I went to sleep and woke up thinking about God. I was hungry. And I'm still hungry. I know it waxes and wanes, but how hungry are you?

If I could pray for one thing for you it'd be this: an insatiable hunger to know God more. There is no substitute for spiritual hunger.

Deuteronomy 4:29: "Seek the Lord and you will find him, if you search for Him with all of your heart and all of your soul."

God reveals Himself the most to those who want to know Him the most.

love it

2009-09-16T14:04:00.001-04:00

Talked with one of the girls I disciple on the phone this morning. She told me about how God is answering her prayer for direction and guidance. It is SO sweet to have the chance to be involved in intercessory prayer for someone.

2009-09-16T11:11:00.001-04:00

We're on our way to middlebranch OH, and then on to western reserve... We just passed a truck with a snow plow on the front... winter in northern OH already?!

discipleship in action

2009-09-12T16:18:00.000-04:00

This morning Stacie & I went with 6 students (5 Barnabas alum and one of their disciples) to downtown Columbus to pass out food to homeless people.

Actually, the story starts yesterday -- a bunch of us were hanging out last night and went over to Starbucks to grab some coffee (Carolyn had gift cards and wanted to pay for everyone. So obviously we went.) After we all order, the guy behind the counter starts pulling out food -- muffins, bread, scones -- and asks if we want anything. Apparently once they've had food for a certain amount of time they can't sell it anymore. He said that they usually donate the food but right now they 'don't currently have a donation site' so they were just going to toss it if we didn't want it. So a few of us grab some things, and then it hits Stacie and I literally at the exact same moment and we jumped out of our chairs, "WE'RE GOING TO FEED HOMELESS PEOPLE TOMORROW MORNING! Can we take this stuff!?!' The guy got pretty excited and said sure, and that he'd wrap it up for us. At that point there were like 6 things left on these plates. Sweet. We'd add it to the stuff we bought the next day. Then he comes out from the back a few minutes later with 2 HUGE bags full of all kinds of stuff wrapped up. I mean, at least 60 different things. It was an incredible blessing. We were all so pumped.

So this morning we meet up and head downtown to a soup kitchen/homeless shelter that one of the guys with us volunteers at (and that Barnabas team had been to this summer). We saw some volunteers outside, but that was about it. A couple of us talked to the guy who seemed to be in charge and he said that Monday-Friday there are over a hundred homeless people just all over the street. Too bad for us it's Saturday.

We talked it over, made a couple calls, and headed to another area of downtown where we parked & walked the streets with our Starbucks goodies. The Lord brought us across 4 different homeless people -- we had the chance to have spiritual conversations with 3 of them, really get into sharing the gospel with one. None were super responsive (to be honest, a couple were pretty wasted), but we walked away feeling excited. Excited that we had been obedient to feed 'the least of these' (Matt 25.40) and to share the good news of the gospel (Romans 10.13-15)

This is discipleship in action. Giving students the chance to stretch outside of their comfort zone and be involved in ACTIVE MINISTRY.

Discipleship should develop character, biblical understanding, and ministry skills.

What are you doing with your students? How are you developing their ministry skills?

calling out their gifts

2009-09-11T09:29:00.001-04:00

On Operation Barnabas, our high school students get to experience a wide variety of ministries. Children, youth, adult, senior citizen, homeless, local church, manual labor, dramatic arts, music, preaching/teaching... the list goes on.

One of my favorite things is to see a student come alive in one of those ministries. You know what I mean? Like, they are in a situation where they are using their gifts ad their strengths and they are flourishing. And, they are probably loving it.

What's shocking to me is that so many of these kids don't even recognize their strengths, their gifts. They have no idea they are leaders, encouragers, administrators, servants, teachers, preachers....

Why? Because no one has ever affirmed them. No one has pointed out their gift, and then helped them find ways to use it and to continue refine it.

Mark Batterson wrote about that this morning:

We need to speak prophetically into each other's lives. We need tocall things out--gifts, passions, goals, dreams, desires. Isn't that what Jesus was so good at? He saw the martyr in a denier named Peter. He called it out by calling him "the Rock."

Prophets call things out of the people. It's also called leadership. I'm thinking of this today because I read a manuscript an aspiring author sent to me and he definitely has the gift. I emailed him back and called it out. I want to call the best out of others the way Jesus did. That's leadership. That's discipleship.

Who do you have the opportunity to call out? Do it. Today.

HSM Powell

2009-09-10T09:16:00.000-04:00

I've known Mark Artrip (the youth pastor at Powell) since I was in junior high. (We called him Elton John then... he was hilarious even back then.) Mark is a graduate of the National Institute (CE's youth ministry program through Grace College), an Operation Barnabas alum, has been an Operation Barnabas leader, and continues to be more and more involved with Momentum. In other words, he's had tons of training and experiences through CE National.

Last night we had the chance to speak at HSM (High School Ministry) at Powell. It's only their 2nd week back, so they are in their 4 part "Vision" series: worship, grow, serve, outreach. We spoke on, you guessed it, grow. It was a blast. We tied in 2 Peter 3.18, Ephesians 4.11-14, and Acts 2.42 to the concept of discipleship within the body of Christ. We challenged the students to quit being babies in Jesus and take the necessary steps to grow up.

The sweetest part of the night was what happened AFTER the "planned" part of the evening was over:

1- Students had the opportunity to join Grace Groups (small groups that meet in homes once a week). I bet we saw at least 20 students make their way to adults to get connected to a Grace Group. (there are already 62 kids involved)

2- Student leaders are seriously ministry minded. I was chatting with a few of them and after a few minutes they said 'Well we need to go connect with some new people.' and off they went. Those kids have ownership of their group.

3- A couple of people shared the gospel with a girl. She's getting together with Kristin, Mark's wife, later this week. Love it.

There is some incredible stuff going on at that church. And in a big way I believe it's because adults are passionate about the discipleship that goes on during Grace groups. Scripture is studied, accountability happens, relationships are built, leaders are developed, evangelism happens, all within these groups. Students are taking ownership of their faith and of their youth group.

Discipleship is not one size fits all. But maybe small groups would be a great catalyst at your church. They certainly have been in Powell.

Borrowed....

2009-09-09T13:04:00.001-04:00

check out this quick thought from Ben Arment.

The Best Ideas Don't Win

There is no such thing as "best idea wins."

There is only "best idea plus most influence wins."

Great ideas have enemies.

Enemies like naysayers, laggers, tradition, chain-of-command, poor taste, money, critical mass...

For a great idea to succeed, it must have a platform.

Innovators have to be multitude makers.

I love it. Innovators have to be multitude makers.

Just sit on that for a while.

2009-09-08T15:34:00.001-04:00

proud to know teenagers who are sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit. They are a challenge and encouragement to me.

our home away from home ... columbus

2009-09-08T15:13:00.001-04:00

Stacie & I are officially back on the road. First stop... OHIO!

We've been on the road since Saturday. Already met with 4 of our Operation Barnabas alumni from this past year. Loving it.

As an example:

Went to lunch with Kristen, one of our alum, and Brandy, her discipler. She shared with us how things have been going since she's been home-that it was tricky to balance out her time and get her priorities straight when she first got home. But she's currently working on improving her relationship with her parents, on spending time in the Word, and on meeting with her disciple (a younger girl in the youth group). The sweetest part about the meeting was to see Brandy, her discipler. Just by watching her it is evident how much she loves Kristen. She has spent good, quality time with her. She's talked through hard things with her. She has challenged her to make goals (an idea that we echoed during our meeting). She holds her accountable in the areas she struggles with. She prays for her. She knows how to be gentle but firm.

Brandy is a great discipler. It is obvious that Kristen loves and respects her. And, whether Brandy 'feels' it all the time or not, she has a HUGE influence in Kristen's life this year.

This is discipleship in action. We're seeing it firsthand.

Thank you, Brandy & Kristen, for your good example.

We're currently in Columbus. Here for the next week. Lots of meetings already scheduled... but if you're around and want to get together, let us know.

Gospel-Centered Discipleship

2009-08-27T15:21:00.001-04:00

So as I was reading over some blogs today I found this quote on The Resurgence, in a post called 'Gospel-Centered Discipleship'.

The Gospel Is the Center For Everything

Alan Hirsch reminds us that "Discipleship, becoming like Jesus our Lord and Founder, lies at the epicenter of the church's task. It means that Christology must define all that we do and say… It will mean taking the Gospels seriously as the primary texts that define us." Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves individuals is also the gospel that grows individuals through discipleship.

Understanding the Gospel

There is a need for a clear understanding and a rediscovery of the gospel in the 21st century. Jerry Bridges says, "The gospel is not the most important message in history; it is the only essential message in all of history. Yet we allow thousands of professing Christians to live their entire lives without clearly understanding it and experiencing the joy of living their lives by it."

What is the gospel? The gospel is the declaration of the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Simply put, there is no gospel without the sinless life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Tim Keller beautifully describes the gospel this way: "In the person and work of Jesus Christ, God fully accomplishes salvation for us, rescuing us from judgment for sin into fellowship with him, and then restores the creation in which we can enjoy our new life together with him forever."

I love this. I think it's essential that we understand that discipleship demands a clear understanding of the gospel. That we recognize that the gospel is not merely for unbelievers, but it is for us, believers, every single day. What else could motivate us as powerfully to discipleship as the life-given truth of the gospel? And what could better define what we DO in discipleship than the pattern that we see in the life of Jesus? I love this sentence:

Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves individuals is also the gospel that grows individuals through discipleship.

Amen. What does that look like, today, for you, with those you disciple?

the busiest time of the year

2009-08-26T15:58:00.000-04:00

Fall. Anyone with kids knows that this feels like the busiest time of the year: school is starting, sports are starting, band is starting, youth group is starting ... you name it, and it's probably starting.

In the face of all this busyness, it's easy for discipleship to get pushed aside. We feel overwhelmed all the programs & obligations that fill our schedule. There's not enough time for 'one more meeting'. We're exhausted anyway, so getting together with our students wouldn't even be beneficial to them. We'll just wait til things calm down.

If this is our plan, we're missing a huge opportunity.

I absolutely think this is the most crucial time to pursue discipleship. Students are just getting back into their peer groups, which, for most of them, is their mission field. This is the prime time for them to establish goals and then patterns of behavior to love and reach their unbelieving friends. It's also an important time for accountability: don't we want our students continuing to spend time in the Word and in prayer, even in the busiest times of their lives?

I know that time is tight. That some weeks it seems impossible to fit in one more meeting. Fair.

2 questions:

1. What are our priorities & do our schedules reflect those? Is there time that we could be using better currently?

2. What are creative ways to connect with students when there really is NO time to get together?

(I've been thinking a lot about that second one lately. More on that to come soon.)

Fall. The season of beginnings for so many things. Let's redeem those beginnings for the cause of Christ. Discipleship could be key in that process.

back in action

2009-08-24T15:57:00.000-04:00

It's official.

Travel season, fall 2009 edition, has begun.

Stacie and I are back in the office as of TODAY.

We hit the road September 5.

Ohio, here we come.

Look for a real update tomorrow including:

discipleship chatter

summer recap

pictures

Yeah. I know you're excited.