Chuck Lenhart, a truly Holy Spirit-led missionary, spoke to us in class this past thursday, beginning the first of our evangelism focused classes.
The very first word Chuck shared with us was something God put on his heart during Lance's introduction. Chuck said, "God uses those people who yield themselves to him." It was so neat that he shared that, because around the same time, I was thanking God for the hold He has on my heart. I was caught up in the thought that I've done nothing to deserve his care for me or his plans for my life, but He is always so quick to remind me of them and pour love on me.
He went on to encourage us to turn the weak areas of our lives over to God because when we do that, He will use us in great ways. I'm really thankful for the things in my life that God helped me give to him at an early age... things like the TV I watched, words I could've said, or the ways I thought about myself. He saved me from a lot of bondage in those areas of my life. I can see that so clearly now, looking back now that a few years have passed. Today I'm asking God what things still exist in my life that I haven't submitted to him.
The first one that comes to mind is the discipline of my prayer life. I know that I need prayer. I know that it makes all the difference in how I live my day and how I minister. I am so hungry for victory in my prayer life, because in the past I've really struggled with just going after God for that to be satisfied. Even now as I write, I feel like God is bringing me to a place where He's breaking chains and thought processes that keep me in the same cycle of just not praying.
God, I want you to break off the lies that exist in my life about prayer and the guilt traps satan tries to use against me. I want to see prayer and intimacy with you in the purest form rather than being swept away by anxiety and condemnation. I CHOOSE today to submit this area of my life to you... to not go at it half-hearted or make it all about my schedule. I just want you. I just want to know you and choose you and remind my heart every day of your great love for me and all the counsel and help you offer me. I rebuke anything that aims to frustrate your freedom in my life. I won't glorify areas of weakness, only tell them that victory is coming and that God's strength will be shown to be even more perfect in my weakness. I am victorious in Christ and nothing can hold me back from the freedom and life Christ already purchased for me when he gave his life for me. I love you, Lord. Thank you that your victory is real!
Thank you for the great things you have done in my life... there are many, many, many years of that still to come. Thank you for bringing me into freedom today, even as I write a blog. I love you, Lord.
I will always be one who yields myself to You.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Class Response Six: Ack Ackerman
The timing of this class was so great! On Thursday afternoon, the staff at Freedom Valley was so blessed to be treated to lunch and a tour by the staff at the Adam's Rescue Mission. AND it was the same day we were assigned to watch Ack Ackerman's (director of men's discipleship at ARM) video from last semester on discipleship. What God is teaching me through the timing of these two lessons together has to do a little more with my own perspective of ministry and trusting God with my heart and provision than it does with the way I actually disciple others.
I was amazed while we took the tour by the extensive list and rooms and recycling projects they do at the mission. It was absolutely incredible to see all they do in that one ministry. Honestly, at times I thought "Wow... do they really need to be doing this? Wouldn't something else work just as well to support the ministry?" Maybe it would... but I'm not sure that's the point. I feel like God is reminding me of a lesson he's been teaching me a lot the past few weeks. Sometimes God puts us in circumstances, directs us in his timing, and guides us to do things all in a way that doesn't exactly make sense to us. It's not always bad.. sometimes we just feel like life would be better if we could get a little less of "that" and a little more of "this" in our lives.
I don't know the start of ARM well enough to know how they chose to do recycling... but it sure is something God is blessing and something they are using to bless the community, too. It's not JUST about them and the best profit possible. It's about following God's heart, his will, his timing, and his instruction TO YOU, trusting that his plan will always be best... even if it SEEMS like we could come up with a better plan on our own.
The staff and volunteers at the Mission are joyful in serving and passionate about the ways God is healing and saving men, women, and families through their ministry. If I could take a guess.. I think it has a lot to do with their faithfulness to raising support through the recycling center. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of trusting God to provide... but it REALLY causes them to rely fully on God. Not on the government or on people. I'm really challenged by this tonight. I loved seeing Ack's heart for the men he disciples and the atmosphere at the Mission was clearly affected by a group of people that just want to follow God and "recycle lives". What they're doing for our community in giving new purpose to old, broken, seemingly useless things... they're doing in the lives of men and women, too.
I believe that is a clear picture of God's heart. He brought purpose to my life and I pray that He'll keep using these lessons He teaches me through these ministry leaders to show others the abundant life we have in Christ... because of HIS love for us.
I was amazed while we took the tour by the extensive list and rooms and recycling projects they do at the mission. It was absolutely incredible to see all they do in that one ministry. Honestly, at times I thought "Wow... do they really need to be doing this? Wouldn't something else work just as well to support the ministry?" Maybe it would... but I'm not sure that's the point. I feel like God is reminding me of a lesson he's been teaching me a lot the past few weeks. Sometimes God puts us in circumstances, directs us in his timing, and guides us to do things all in a way that doesn't exactly make sense to us. It's not always bad.. sometimes we just feel like life would be better if we could get a little less of "that" and a little more of "this" in our lives.
I don't know the start of ARM well enough to know how they chose to do recycling... but it sure is something God is blessing and something they are using to bless the community, too. It's not JUST about them and the best profit possible. It's about following God's heart, his will, his timing, and his instruction TO YOU, trusting that his plan will always be best... even if it SEEMS like we could come up with a better plan on our own.
The staff and volunteers at the Mission are joyful in serving and passionate about the ways God is healing and saving men, women, and families through their ministry. If I could take a guess.. I think it has a lot to do with their faithfulness to raising support through the recycling center. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of trusting God to provide... but it REALLY causes them to rely fully on God. Not on the government or on people. I'm really challenged by this tonight. I loved seeing Ack's heart for the men he disciples and the atmosphere at the Mission was clearly affected by a group of people that just want to follow God and "recycle lives". What they're doing for our community in giving new purpose to old, broken, seemingly useless things... they're doing in the lives of men and women, too.
I believe that is a clear picture of God's heart. He brought purpose to my life and I pray that He'll keep using these lessons He teaches me through these ministry leaders to show others the abundant life we have in Christ... because of HIS love for us.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Class Response Five: Mark Chester
Yesterday morning we were joined in class by Mark Chester, senior pastor of Gettysburg Foursquare church.
My favorite part of these responses is that they call me to action. We can all think something was 'cool' or even 'gripping' that a speaker said... but, for me, writing it here and making it known what I am confident God did in my heart... it's like keeping myself (in a very simple way) accountable to do something with the word of God.
Mark shared briefly on Matthew 25 and on how he invests his time. He explained that he stays very busy and consistently receives more requests to meet with people than there is really time for in his day. I could really connect with this point. Not because I'm anywhere near as busy as Mark is, I'm sure, just because we all have things pulling on us and really can't spend an unlimited amount of time with an unlimited amount of people.
God started leading me on a really important topic for me to understand in my leadership. I'll start here. I don't mind being busy. I really don't. But I don't want to live burnt out or making the people who should be getting the most of Bonnie feeling like they're getting hardly anything at all. That just breaks my heart thinking about it.
Sometimes as a leader, we think we're the only person the people we lead can come to. I don't think we do this on purpose. But sometimes, good intentions to love and help can go bad when we want to take ownership of everyone's healing and counsel. I'm convinced that it can become a big pride and self-dependency issue. It is so good to be confident of the gifts God has given you... gifts in counsel, in prayer, in relationships, in ministry... in whatever. But I've got to understand that I'm NOT the only one with gifts that God wants to use.
I'm so thankful that God's given me a counselor's heart and a love for people being healed and cared for... but God is telling me that there's another part of my gifting that I ignore if I get too stuck on that first part: I am gifted at building leaders, too. When God teaches me, I can join with him in teaching others... and then ministry multiplies. I don't get burnt out because I don't act like everyone's growth depends on me.
I know this post might sound exceptionally prideful... but I think that's the point. I love that God uses me. I am so undeserving and He is so good. But I want to be used now to raise other people up to a place of confidence in counseling, mentoring, loving, blessing, and just praying for people. We don't have to live feeling burnt out. I think what God's teaching me here is this: If I'm feeling burnt out, burdened, and losing focus on what ministry is really about... it's probably because I'm trying to do it all myself. I'm responsible for me and when I've been with God, I have a much greater sensitivity to what I'm supposed to handle and how I'm supposed to handle it.
And the most beautiful part about that? I'm never going to be alone. God is always my helper.
My favorite part of these responses is that they call me to action. We can all think something was 'cool' or even 'gripping' that a speaker said... but, for me, writing it here and making it known what I am confident God did in my heart... it's like keeping myself (in a very simple way) accountable to do something with the word of God.
Mark shared briefly on Matthew 25 and on how he invests his time. He explained that he stays very busy and consistently receives more requests to meet with people than there is really time for in his day. I could really connect with this point. Not because I'm anywhere near as busy as Mark is, I'm sure, just because we all have things pulling on us and really can't spend an unlimited amount of time with an unlimited amount of people.
God started leading me on a really important topic for me to understand in my leadership. I'll start here. I don't mind being busy. I really don't. But I don't want to live burnt out or making the people who should be getting the most of Bonnie feeling like they're getting hardly anything at all. That just breaks my heart thinking about it.
Sometimes as a leader, we think we're the only person the people we lead can come to. I don't think we do this on purpose. But sometimes, good intentions to love and help can go bad when we want to take ownership of everyone's healing and counsel. I'm convinced that it can become a big pride and self-dependency issue. It is so good to be confident of the gifts God has given you... gifts in counsel, in prayer, in relationships, in ministry... in whatever. But I've got to understand that I'm NOT the only one with gifts that God wants to use.
I'm so thankful that God's given me a counselor's heart and a love for people being healed and cared for... but God is telling me that there's another part of my gifting that I ignore if I get too stuck on that first part: I am gifted at building leaders, too. When God teaches me, I can join with him in teaching others... and then ministry multiplies. I don't get burnt out because I don't act like everyone's growth depends on me.
I know this post might sound exceptionally prideful... but I think that's the point. I love that God uses me. I am so undeserving and He is so good. But I want to be used now to raise other people up to a place of confidence in counseling, mentoring, loving, blessing, and just praying for people. We don't have to live feeling burnt out. I think what God's teaching me here is this: If I'm feeling burnt out, burdened, and losing focus on what ministry is really about... it's probably because I'm trying to do it all myself. I'm responsible for me and when I've been with God, I have a much greater sensitivity to what I'm supposed to handle and how I'm supposed to handle it.
And the most beautiful part about that? I'm never going to be alone. God is always my helper.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Book Review: The Complete Book of Discipleship
The Complete Book of Discipleship: on Being and Making Followers of Christ truly lived up to its name. Author Bill Hull took his readers through his vision for writing the book (the idea that we've made discipleship optional, focusing on self and a lack of "carrying our cross"), through the history of discipleship (both biblically and secularly), and through several forms of application in the area of developing discipleship in programs, relationships, small groups, and more.
To be quite honest, within the first 60 or so pages of the book, I began to grow a little discouraged by Hull's approach. It seemed that, while maybe it was all true, he would simply spend the book discussing what's wrong with discipleship in the church today... and it seemed like it was everything. That portion was an interesting read, but a little exhausting. I was feeling ready for application and fresh vision that answered, "If we're just not getting what discipleship is about now... how do we get there?". One aspect I loved about Hull's approach in this portion of the book was his emphasis on the necessity of discipleship. It's not just a program or for "the super-spiritual". We're all called to be disciples. By following Christ, you are his disciple. He mentioned several times throughout the book that a common mindset in Christianity today is that, essentially, picking up your cross to follow Christ is optional. That it's ok to just be a "normal" Christian. But that's allowing Satan to define normal for us and allowing evil to set our standards. Hull gave a compelling argument that, as Bonhoeffer stated, "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ."
The history portion of Hull's study on discipleship was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about biblical examples of disciples, monks, and the reformers. I was especially impacted God's timing in the reformation. He brought together men with different gifts, personalities, and places of influence to bring the church back to a deep place of understanding that Salvation can only come from faith in Christ and that God truly desires to have relationship with us.The boldness of these men was truly inspiring and encouraged me to be intentional about the way that I make my life reveal what it means to be a follower of Christ and take up my cross, even in the every day.
The end of chapter 4 and the whole of chapters 5 and 6 especially grabbed my heart. I have been learning so much lately about doing discipleship the way Jesus did it. It seems so obvious that it should be done that way... but that's not really the example we see lived out before us most of the time. The Six-fold definition of being conformed to Christ's Image (130) serves as a great tool for us to really understand what it means to grow to become more like Christ. A powerful line on page 140 says, "Christ loved others until they knew that he loved them-- until they actually experienced his love." It's easy to just try to be nice to someone.... but loving until they KNOW you love them... loving until they can say they've experienced your love... that is so different. That's the love of Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt Jesus loves me. To say he doesn't would be to deny all he's done in my life, his sacrifice, and the Word of God as authority. Today I want to keep this mindset burned in my heart. I want to seek out opportunities to love. Not just with warm fuzzy feelings... but with sacrifice and giving of myself for the benefit of someone else. And keep doing that until my life displays to that person as an individual, "Wow, Bonnie really, truly loves me." I want to go so much deeper than my words. But I am thankful beyond measure that God uses those, too. He is so good in teaching us to love. This portion of the book has really helped me understand "As, I have loved you, you must love one another."
Chapter 5 was gripping and spoke of creating the right environment for discipleship. The Holy Spirit really spoke to my heart as I read that section last night. I was struggling to know, when I'm aware of a spiritual issue in the team, how much to correct and how much to let go and just let God handle it. I think it's still something I need to pray through and practice... but the Holy Spirit was speaking to me as I read about affirmation and grace. When we constantly criticize or correct, that becomes our heart. We can only see a person as their failings and their "lack". There is a time for rebuke and correction but discipleship can also not happen without grace and affirmation. Speak life over disciples. Tell them what they're doing well and what gifts you see in them. Rejoice with them about their victories and keep speaking truth. Don't excuse sin but trust that showing grace and speaking life over them will give you the right heart to rebuke or correct when it's time. God is doing so much healing in my heart with this right now. An atmosphere of grace encourages people to see the value in others and not count them as "failures" or "rebellious" the first time they mess up. God, I need so much help in this. Keep speaking truth to my heart and mind about the way you love AND corrrect and discipline your children.
The book seemed to end on a lower note for me than the rest as it spoke about congregations and small groups. It was interesting and in some ways very applicable... but I think his main audience was someone different that me. And that's ok! God is leading me to start a new small group now for teenage girls so there were some real gems in there about outreach and vision in small groups that I will definitely be applying. The rest was just a little hard to connect with because it was a very different structure than the way i'm doing small groups now. It is always valuable to learn from other perspectives, so I wouldn't be surprised if God ends up using an abundance from what I learned in those last few chapters in my life sometime very soon.
Overall, I loved taking this journey through discipleship. This may sound silly, but in addition to what I learned (as listed above) from The Complete Book of Discipleship, I simply learned the incredible value of reading. By making ourselves available to just sit and read, we make ourselves available for the Holy Spirit to teach us, fill us with new ideas, and learn from the lives of others and Biblical truth... in a way we might not have otherwise. It's been a while since I've really pushed through and finished a whole book on something I see as so valuable. I believe there will be real, beautiful, kingdom advancing, disciple-making fruit that comes out of what God taught me through the writing of Bill Hull. For that, I am very thankful and so excited to apply.
* I read 100% of "The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Making and Being Followers of Christ" by Bill Hull.
To be quite honest, within the first 60 or so pages of the book, I began to grow a little discouraged by Hull's approach. It seemed that, while maybe it was all true, he would simply spend the book discussing what's wrong with discipleship in the church today... and it seemed like it was everything. That portion was an interesting read, but a little exhausting. I was feeling ready for application and fresh vision that answered, "If we're just not getting what discipleship is about now... how do we get there?". One aspect I loved about Hull's approach in this portion of the book was his emphasis on the necessity of discipleship. It's not just a program or for "the super-spiritual". We're all called to be disciples. By following Christ, you are his disciple. He mentioned several times throughout the book that a common mindset in Christianity today is that, essentially, picking up your cross to follow Christ is optional. That it's ok to just be a "normal" Christian. But that's allowing Satan to define normal for us and allowing evil to set our standards. Hull gave a compelling argument that, as Bonhoeffer stated, "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ."
The history portion of Hull's study on discipleship was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about biblical examples of disciples, monks, and the reformers. I was especially impacted God's timing in the reformation. He brought together men with different gifts, personalities, and places of influence to bring the church back to a deep place of understanding that Salvation can only come from faith in Christ and that God truly desires to have relationship with us.The boldness of these men was truly inspiring and encouraged me to be intentional about the way that I make my life reveal what it means to be a follower of Christ and take up my cross, even in the every day.
The end of chapter 4 and the whole of chapters 5 and 6 especially grabbed my heart. I have been learning so much lately about doing discipleship the way Jesus did it. It seems so obvious that it should be done that way... but that's not really the example we see lived out before us most of the time. The Six-fold definition of being conformed to Christ's Image (130) serves as a great tool for us to really understand what it means to grow to become more like Christ. A powerful line on page 140 says, "Christ loved others until they knew that he loved them-- until they actually experienced his love." It's easy to just try to be nice to someone.... but loving until they KNOW you love them... loving until they can say they've experienced your love... that is so different. That's the love of Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt Jesus loves me. To say he doesn't would be to deny all he's done in my life, his sacrifice, and the Word of God as authority. Today I want to keep this mindset burned in my heart. I want to seek out opportunities to love. Not just with warm fuzzy feelings... but with sacrifice and giving of myself for the benefit of someone else. And keep doing that until my life displays to that person as an individual, "Wow, Bonnie really, truly loves me." I want to go so much deeper than my words. But I am thankful beyond measure that God uses those, too. He is so good in teaching us to love. This portion of the book has really helped me understand "As, I have loved you, you must love one another."
Chapter 5 was gripping and spoke of creating the right environment for discipleship. The Holy Spirit really spoke to my heart as I read that section last night. I was struggling to know, when I'm aware of a spiritual issue in the team, how much to correct and how much to let go and just let God handle it. I think it's still something I need to pray through and practice... but the Holy Spirit was speaking to me as I read about affirmation and grace. When we constantly criticize or correct, that becomes our heart. We can only see a person as their failings and their "lack". There is a time for rebuke and correction but discipleship can also not happen without grace and affirmation. Speak life over disciples. Tell them what they're doing well and what gifts you see in them. Rejoice with them about their victories and keep speaking truth. Don't excuse sin but trust that showing grace and speaking life over them will give you the right heart to rebuke or correct when it's time. God is doing so much healing in my heart with this right now. An atmosphere of grace encourages people to see the value in others and not count them as "failures" or "rebellious" the first time they mess up. God, I need so much help in this. Keep speaking truth to my heart and mind about the way you love AND corrrect and discipline your children.
The book seemed to end on a lower note for me than the rest as it spoke about congregations and small groups. It was interesting and in some ways very applicable... but I think his main audience was someone different that me. And that's ok! God is leading me to start a new small group now for teenage girls so there were some real gems in there about outreach and vision in small groups that I will definitely be applying. The rest was just a little hard to connect with because it was a very different structure than the way i'm doing small groups now. It is always valuable to learn from other perspectives, so I wouldn't be surprised if God ends up using an abundance from what I learned in those last few chapters in my life sometime very soon.
Overall, I loved taking this journey through discipleship. This may sound silly, but in addition to what I learned (as listed above) from The Complete Book of Discipleship, I simply learned the incredible value of reading. By making ourselves available to just sit and read, we make ourselves available for the Holy Spirit to teach us, fill us with new ideas, and learn from the lives of others and Biblical truth... in a way we might not have otherwise. It's been a while since I've really pushed through and finished a whole book on something I see as so valuable. I believe there will be real, beautiful, kingdom advancing, disciple-making fruit that comes out of what God taught me through the writing of Bill Hull. For that, I am very thankful and so excited to apply.
* I read 100% of "The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Making and Being Followers of Christ" by Bill Hull.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Class Response Four: Andy Landers
There were three main areas our guest speaker spoke on yesterday that really gripped my heart. Andy Landers is the director of Youth with a Mission in Louisville and it was such a blessing to be able to converse with him and my class yesterday afternoon.
After only an hour and a half of talking, it was very clear that he is a genuine man of faith who is passionate about Jesus' call to take up your cross and follow him. Every discipleship-focused class we have, I know I can go in expecting to learn such great, applicable, and exciting things that reveal more of God's heart... this week wasn't any different :) I just want to spend the rest of this post writing about the things from class that keep resonating in my heart this weekend.
Each of these three main areas connect pretty closely... they're all really about family. Andy shared great words of wisdom with us about the ways he keeps loving and being there for his family even with a busy schedule and both he and his wife working in ministry. He told us girls how important it is to marry the right person. Marry someone who God has also given a passion for ministry. As Andy spoke about the ways he involves his whole family in their ministry, he said that if someone said to their children, "Your parents are missionaries, right?" his son and daughter would likely reply, "Yeah. And I am, too." That's a big dream of mine.. to have a family actively involved in discipleship where everyone lives that discipleship and ministry isn't just a job... it's a lifestyle and a choice to follow Jesus. Really encouraging to get a few tips from Andy on that topic. :)
He shared for a few minutes on the area of team building and used such a great word picture. He asked us who we would want to be with in the trenches. In the hardest times of ministry... who would you want to have praying with you? Who could you depend on to not leave just because things didn't go as expected? I am so grateful for the friendships Luke and I have already with couples who would be our answers to these questions. I am so excited for a future of following God with Luke, our family, and some on-fire-for-God friends with whom I can already picture us praying with in the trenches and stepping up to fight with, too.
The last of these three connected areas was the area of community within a discipleship team like ours. Andy shared a little about the way his program uses small groups and one on one mentoring. I loved hearing about the way they do things... but our schedule is a lot different. I described our schedule to Andy a little and asked how, with a 7:30am-2pm time slot, we could find more time to just laugh together, rest and talk together just like a family. He responded that what he was hearing was a hunger for community. That was right on. I am so thankful to minister in a program that does so many things well.. but I've really been feeling this challenge lately. Sure, there are times when the team "hangs out" but usually those just have the feeling of being "out of class time"... and it can be hard to pull people back together to really understand that we can be honest with eachother. That we can have fun AND be growing as disciples... growing to be more like Jesus... at the same time. It's so important for a team to get deep and really know one another. I think God is already blessing me with some ideas about growing in this area of our program and in my life as a whole. I want to spend some time praying about this tonight and this weekend. But my heart really is hungry for this tonight. Not to force people to spend time together... just to be together as a team... growing together and falling more in love with Jesus... and experiencing that life with Christ IS fun and IS an adventure. And God surrounds us with people to help us grow, laugh, and heal. I really want our team to operate in that. I'm so thankful for who You are and for who you've surrounded me with, Jesus.
After only an hour and a half of talking, it was very clear that he is a genuine man of faith who is passionate about Jesus' call to take up your cross and follow him. Every discipleship-focused class we have, I know I can go in expecting to learn such great, applicable, and exciting things that reveal more of God's heart... this week wasn't any different :) I just want to spend the rest of this post writing about the things from class that keep resonating in my heart this weekend.
Each of these three main areas connect pretty closely... they're all really about family. Andy shared great words of wisdom with us about the ways he keeps loving and being there for his family even with a busy schedule and both he and his wife working in ministry. He told us girls how important it is to marry the right person. Marry someone who God has also given a passion for ministry. As Andy spoke about the ways he involves his whole family in their ministry, he said that if someone said to their children, "Your parents are missionaries, right?" his son and daughter would likely reply, "Yeah. And I am, too." That's a big dream of mine.. to have a family actively involved in discipleship where everyone lives that discipleship and ministry isn't just a job... it's a lifestyle and a choice to follow Jesus. Really encouraging to get a few tips from Andy on that topic. :)
He shared for a few minutes on the area of team building and used such a great word picture. He asked us who we would want to be with in the trenches. In the hardest times of ministry... who would you want to have praying with you? Who could you depend on to not leave just because things didn't go as expected? I am so grateful for the friendships Luke and I have already with couples who would be our answers to these questions. I am so excited for a future of following God with Luke, our family, and some on-fire-for-God friends with whom I can already picture us praying with in the trenches and stepping up to fight with, too.
The last of these three connected areas was the area of community within a discipleship team like ours. Andy shared a little about the way his program uses small groups and one on one mentoring. I loved hearing about the way they do things... but our schedule is a lot different. I described our schedule to Andy a little and asked how, with a 7:30am-2pm time slot, we could find more time to just laugh together, rest and talk together just like a family. He responded that what he was hearing was a hunger for community. That was right on. I am so thankful to minister in a program that does so many things well.. but I've really been feeling this challenge lately. Sure, there are times when the team "hangs out" but usually those just have the feeling of being "out of class time"... and it can be hard to pull people back together to really understand that we can be honest with eachother. That we can have fun AND be growing as disciples... growing to be more like Jesus... at the same time. It's so important for a team to get deep and really know one another. I think God is already blessing me with some ideas about growing in this area of our program and in my life as a whole. I want to spend some time praying about this tonight and this weekend. But my heart really is hungry for this tonight. Not to force people to spend time together... just to be together as a team... growing together and falling more in love with Jesus... and experiencing that life with Christ IS fun and IS an adventure. And God surrounds us with people to help us grow, laugh, and heal. I really want our team to operate in that. I'm so thankful for who You are and for who you've surrounded me with, Jesus.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Interview with an Unchurched Friend #1
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Sex: Female
1. Have you had any past experience attending a christian church? What was your experience like? (Please include the church denomination, if possible)
Answer: I have never attended a Christian church. (I was raised Eastern Orthodox/Greek ORTHODOX)
2. Have you had past experience with serving in a church? Where did you serve/what did you do?
Answer: I have never served in a church.
3. Why do you choose to not attend church regularly?
Answer: I choose to not attend church regularly because I was not brought up going to church regularly.
4. What are some issues you see in the christian church right now that may be keeping you from attending a church?
Answer: Some issues I see in the Christian church is that I feel as if the religion is almost being forced on to others that do not practice the Christian faith.
5. What is something, or some things, that you see the church is currently doing well?
Answer: I think that the Christian church does many things well; they help those in need and the church itself has many followers.
Answer: I think that the Christian church does many things well; they help those in need and the church itself has many followers.
6. Do you think there is any advantage to serving in a church and attending, rather than simply attending without serving in a ministry?
Answer: I think there is an advantage to attending and serving in a ministry; you're helping so many others in need!
Answer: I think there is an advantage to attending and serving in a ministry; you're helping so many others in need!
7. In your opinion, what should the church's role be in the community? How about in the world?
Answer: I think the church's role in the community should be simply a place where you go for answers, and to worship. Worldwide, I feel as if the church's role should be the same.
8. How would you describe Jesus?
Answer: I describe Jesus as the son of God.
Answer: I describe Jesus as the son of God.
9. Why do you think attending church is important to many people?
Answer: I think attending church is important to many because people want to practice their religion and keep a sense of tradition.
10. How could a local Christian church change, or what could they add, that would interest you in attending the church or getting involved?
Answer: I think the Christian church around my hometown could stop being so pushy. Having flyers sent to my house and having people going door to door is not going to want me to attend the church or
become more involved!
My Response:
I was a little surprised by my friend's gentleness and kindness in the way she answered these questions. I knew some of her religious background and I think I expected her to have more negative feelings toward the Church as a whole.
I love that she perceives the church as being a group of people that can provide wisdom, a safe place for worship, and help for those in need.
The only complaint my friend really had about the Christian church is that they can be pushy or attempt to force their religion on others. I agreed with her that flyers and door to door invitations are not really the most appealing ways for churches to draw more people into their congregation. I'm not exactly sure what her experience has been like with Christian churches. Maybe Christians have been pushy around her, unkindly trying to force their views into her belief system. Or maybe she hasn't had much interaction with the Christian church. The idea of Christians being pushy is a pretty well known stereotype. And we're not innocent of that in many cases, so it is possible that that is a mentality she's adopted from someone else.
I think my sweet friend's responses are so valuable and can provide a lot of insight into the way we do outreach and discipleship. Her final response about the door to door church people and flyers reminded me how important relational evangelism is. This friend of mine, though it's been years since we've spent time together, has always been very relationship focused. I love the way God uses relationships between people to bring his children back to him.
God, tonight I'm praying that you send someone who is nearby into my friend's life to build a great friendship. I pray that this relationship would open doors for her to hear the truth of the gospel. Lord, in this relationship may she meet a follower of Christ who loves and accepts her, even if she doesn't agree with them about faith. Do great things in the life of this girl who was such a great friend to me. Help me to love people unconditionally, to be patient, and to walk through doors of opportunity when they come, never shrinking back from a moment to speak truth and love into someone's life.
Answer: I think the Christian church around my hometown could stop being so pushy. Having flyers sent to my house and having people going door to door is not going to want me to attend the church or
become more involved!
My Response:
I was a little surprised by my friend's gentleness and kindness in the way she answered these questions. I knew some of her religious background and I think I expected her to have more negative feelings toward the Church as a whole.
I love that she perceives the church as being a group of people that can provide wisdom, a safe place for worship, and help for those in need.
The only complaint my friend really had about the Christian church is that they can be pushy or attempt to force their religion on others. I agreed with her that flyers and door to door invitations are not really the most appealing ways for churches to draw more people into their congregation. I'm not exactly sure what her experience has been like with Christian churches. Maybe Christians have been pushy around her, unkindly trying to force their views into her belief system. Or maybe she hasn't had much interaction with the Christian church. The idea of Christians being pushy is a pretty well known stereotype. And we're not innocent of that in many cases, so it is possible that that is a mentality she's adopted from someone else.
I think my sweet friend's responses are so valuable and can provide a lot of insight into the way we do outreach and discipleship. Her final response about the door to door church people and flyers reminded me how important relational evangelism is. This friend of mine, though it's been years since we've spent time together, has always been very relationship focused. I love the way God uses relationships between people to bring his children back to him.
God, tonight I'm praying that you send someone who is nearby into my friend's life to build a great friendship. I pray that this relationship would open doors for her to hear the truth of the gospel. Lord, in this relationship may she meet a follower of Christ who loves and accepts her, even if she doesn't agree with them about faith. Do great things in the life of this girl who was such a great friend to me. Help me to love people unconditionally, to be patient, and to walk through doors of opportunity when they come, never shrinking back from a moment to speak truth and love into someone's life.
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