Behavior-Anchored Discipleship

It has been a long time. Let me write regarding what I have been thinking about.
I preached at our church on Jan. 13 and during the preparation for that sermon, I put some dates on events in my life. I came to a realization that the time that elapsed between my accepting Christ and my devoting my life to him was 34 years!
In thinking about my call to ministry, which includes discipling men, I am conscious of the fact that I probably don't have 34 years of producting time left here on earth. So, there is a new sense of urgency in my discipleship ministry.
I have read three books recently that are encouraging me to organize and document a discipleship "process" that is based on ones behavior. The books: LeRoy Eims wrote, "The Lost Art of Disciple Making"; N. Graham Standish wrote, "Humble Leadership"; and "Appreciative Inquiry" by David L. Cooperrider and Diana Whitney.
It is not important now to summarize those books here but know they are informing my thinking and influencing the process that I will be trying to document.
Then last night, I again read John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus was a proponent of behavior anchored discipleship.
I want to know Him and will seek to do what he did; think what he thought; see what he saw; love like he loved. My process will imitate His process.
What do you think?

Thoughts on the church

Yesterday, 490 years ago, Martin Luther started the Reformation movement. Today, I wanted to share some thoughts on reformations that are needed today. The following is taken from David Timms with some added thoughts of mine.

• Let the Church rediscover its commitment to broad issues of social justice (poverty, homelessness, education, health care) not just placarding against abortion and gay rights. Historically the Church has led the way with the schools, hospitals, shelters, and charity that have formed the foundation for Western civilization. If we would only act out what we preach!
• Let the Church return to its roots of making disciples not simply converts, understanding that a raised hand or a signed card is no achievement. Rather, we call people to transformed lives in a world hungry for an authentic option to its own plastic superficiality. If we would only act out what we preach!
• Let the Church be a city of refuge, a place of grace rather than legalism. While we genuinely and consistently urge each other to live lives of selflessness, purity, and godliness, we forgive unfailingly whenever people express contrition and repentance.
• Let the Church constantly affirm its mission to work first with people not property, to build the Body before buildings, to focus constantly on ministry ahead of facilities. We need to put and keep the main thing the main thing.

If you were to nail some theses to your church door, what would you write?

Shirley's Retirement Dinner

Girls and Leaves

There is nothing like playing in the leaves at your grandparents house! Claire and Ellie enjoyed themselves last Saturday.

A Thought

I can't believe it has been a month since I wrote here...but it has. Oh well, I have no obligation to write here. Besides, because I have not written here doesn't mean I have not been thinking or reflecting.

I have been thinking about the following statement: My life is shaped by what I take for granted. I assume so much. I was thinking about the things I assume or take for granted. There are the basic things of life; the next breath, the next heartbeat, etc. is not owed to me or due me. Every breath is an undeserved gift from God. But if I correctly assume that God is keeping me alive for a purpose, I assume clean clothes, warm water, electricity, my vehicle starting, the other driver will stop at his red light, my house will be here when I get back, my wife and daughter will be here as well, and on and on. It is amazing to me to think about all the things I take for granted.

I had a great conversation with my spiritual mentor and I will not take the presence of the Holy Spirit for granted. I asked him to hold me accountable for my self-prescibed process of spending specific time with God each week. I am determined to not take for granted the Holy Spirit and His transforming presence in my life.

Miserable Job

Yesterday, I read a new book by Patrick Lencioni, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. It is a fable for managers and their employees. While this is intended for business managers, I try to apply everything I read to the church and servant leadership.
Wow! This book is a keeper and one I'll refer to often. It was published by Jossey Bass and I highly recommend it.
I was reminded of Jacob and Esau just after their "reconciliation" meeting. As they agreed to travel together with young children and young animals, Jacob said, "So go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir." Genesis 33:14 (NLT) Jacob was one of the first leaders to understand "speed of the leader; speed of the team" concept. Usually this means that the leader has to move out in front of the team and set the pace...and they will move (however you want to define that) as fast as the leader. Jacob's words seems to embody a turn of the concept into "speed of the team; speed of the leader".
There is a correlation between Jacob and Lencioni's fable. The three signs of a miserable job are:

1. Irrelevancy - Not knowing if what I do matters to anyone - makes any difference at all.
2. Immeasureable - How do I really know on a regular basis if I'm accomplishing my job...really?
3. Anonymity - Would someone (preferably my manager) take a real serious interest in me?

Lencioni's hypothesis is that there are no bad jobs (well, there are a few) but there are many miserable people at work.

Jacob really cared for his family and took a serious interest in their well-being. He knew that what He did really mattered to his family and to his God.

I am still thinking of how I am going to change my relationship with volunteers so that their effort in ministry is not "miserable".

If you want to know more about this book and Patrick Lencioni, go to www.miserablejob.com

Too busy

I have been "too busy" to spend time reflecting and writing here. First, I was not feeling well. Then I went out of town. Then I was in a conference all day for a couple of days. Then I got behind in my "work". Then... do you see the pattern I see? Life overwhelms my resolve to reflect and write.
I wondered to myself if Jesus got so busy and so overwhelmed that he didn't have time to be quiet and reflect on the words of his Father. I can't find any evidence of that in scripture. Most every experience of high visibility and busy-ness was followed by a time of personal reflection and prayer. When he should have been basking in his success or capitalizing on the momentum of "his" ministry, he went off by himself and spent time with the Father.
Jesus said he only did what the Father told him to do. So, I have to assume God was calling him to times of silence and solitude - and it was important to the Son.
Times of reflection and silence has to be more important to me.