Let me try and regale you with a story.
This story may be used as an illustration but it is completely fictional and should not be read into.
In it we find two siblings. They being siblings came from the same place. They experienced much of existence together. That is not to say they interacted with the world the same. They were very different in that sense. One was more of a thinker while the other could only do. They encountered their surroundings in vastly different ways. As a thinker the first would drift through life seeing problems and imagining solutions to all these woes. Discussing and debating with others about structure and teaching. The first never really did much about anything except to discuss and talk about how things should be or what happened to be wrong about such and such a thing. Now the second sibling was much more of a doer. They acted far more than they thought. Although their actions may not of been well thought through, they at least did something. If asked for money they would give it away, if help was needed it was also given. Hungry and sick were cared for but the second sibling was not sure why they needed to care for them.
From here the siblings are called into pastoral ministry. The first sibling goes and discusses doctrine and orthodoxy with their pastor. Many great books and curriculum are written. In distant lands it has a mediocre affect. Sunday school and bible studies are the best they'd ever been. The second sibling goes and feeds the poor and clothes the naked and does many good works at the encouragement of their congregation. All needs are met in their community.
Yet in both cases the congregations shrink. The first sibling despite their best efforts to teach their community finds an inactive body. They are hungry to learn and already quite intelligent. Yet all things Christ are encountered within the walls of their meeting place. The community around them hurts and hungers but the church was unwilling to go and encounter these people. The second sibling on the other hand has a church of doers. They were active in their community but unwilling to share the gospel with those who had greater needs to be met. Once those needs were met they continued to serve only.
Both on their own were incapable to "be Jesus" to their community. By having only doctrine or practice there is something that is lacking. We can neither be only well versed in doctrine or practice but must daily encounter both. Where are you lacking?! If you can say neither, the answer is probably both. Consider carefully the story of the siblings. It is because of their discomfort with what did not come natural to them that they did not engage in it throughly. "That is more like what my sibling would do." They would say. "There are others that will do that." Is more like what we say. Let yourself become uncomfortable. Whether you feel yourself to be stupid or sedentary do not let your predisposition dictate what you can or cannot do.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
This week in YG
Acts 15:36-16:5
The book of Acts is like the sequel to the Gospels.
After everything that happened between the disciples and Jesus.
All the training
and listening
and learning
and wrong answers
and rash promises
and minds being blown
We find them in Acts.
Not just are they in Acts but they are also in charge of the movement that Jesus started.
After a few chapters they've undergone a transformation to become leaders with "authority".
They aren't just in charge, they have God's authority, that is a very special gift.
This is what happens when discipleship is done right.
Within this passage the great missionary team of Paul and Barnabas split up.
Yet this allows each of the great missionaries to take on new partners. Who were not quite as seasoned as either Paul or Barnabas. As well as the addition of Timothy in Paul's team.
The way they teamed up is very important.
1st it shows that ministry was done with at least two people (not including spouses).
2nd We see that there is a "culture" of discipleship already established.
When I say "culture" I mean that there exists an established tradition of the mature (spiritually, skilled, etc.) taking in and educating through direct apprenticeship those of a less mature nature.
Paul and Barnabas do not try and find partners that are just as experienced as they are. Instead what they do is find those who aren't. By finding someone who is not quite as experienced they are able to spread their knowledge and experience to the next generation of Christians. Who will then do likewise. Always one generation training the next in the way of the Christ-like life.
Today the idea of discipleship is a buzzword for church programs and does not usually reflect the direct nature of what is illustrated within the Gospels and Acts.
I may be repeating myself and talking a lot about disciples this summer, but only because I don't want you to ever forget how important this is.
The importance comes from it's unique ability to transform and educate young and immature christians into the amazing saints that exist in our congregations. Although they do not exist in enough abundance.
For example, let us think of a person we each admire as a christian role model. A great christian in our midst.
It is likely that they did not wake up one day as an amazing Christ follower. It is also likely that they instead learned how to be a great christian from another great christian. That they were challenged and grown through a long relationship or multiple relationships throughout their lives.
It may be absurd to point it out but, disciples are willing participants.
I simply point this out because an unwilling student never blossoms.
Within the stories of Jesus we see someone who solicits seemingly random unqualified people and at his beckoning they follow him immediately. However Jesus' method of cultivating disciples is the opposite of the traditional rabbinical style. In which students would go to the Rabbi and be tested as to their knowledge and ability.
Recently I have heard a suggestion that to get disciple you need to go to people and bring them under your wing. While I can see where they would get their conclusion from, I'm not sure it works with the nature of discipleship. As discipleship is a relationship there is a meeting in the middle. The student must want to learn and the mentor must want to teach. Without both parties engaged learning will not happen.
Before continuing I need to make known a very important element of this spiritual apprenticeship. As much as the mentor and student try and foster growth 1 Cor. 3 has a myriad of things to say about growth. While some plant seeds, and others water it but God is the one that makes the seed grow. As much as we each want to take credit for amazing growth that happens in our congregations and youth groups it is God that had them grow. While I don't get to yell "I did that! I made them awesome!" I do find myself yelling "I helped!" This goes both ways as Paul continues in that very scripture. He equates us to God's building. That Jesus is the foundation and Paul did some work on the building and then someone else will do some more work. Paul equates the effort and quality of our work to different building materials: gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. "their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light" 1 Cor. 3:13 What kind of materials do we build with? Because not only do we have to be accountable for our success stories but also we get to say "I helped!" with those that were not so successful. I will remember those equally as strongly as those that have become great servants.
So what is the work of discipleship? What does one learn in this kind of apprenticeship?
Servanthood.
Very simply one learns the orthodoxy and orthopraxis of what the early church called "the way". The value of discipleship is that it doesn't just teach "right thinking" but also "right actions". To know the significance of Jesus washing his disciples feet is not the same as having Jesus the Christ lower himself to such a humble and nearly shameful task and clean your very feet. Foot washing ceremonies that are reenacted today are seen as a beautiful ceremony or illustration. However when Jesus did it there was likely no sense of beauty in the room. There was more likely a stunned silence. Except for Peter who was offended and did not want to allow Jesus to humble (but more likely humiliate) himself to his disciples.
So to review:
What is a disciple/discipleship?
It is big and it is long term.
The book of Acts is like the sequel to the Gospels.
After everything that happened between the disciples and Jesus.
All the training
and listening
and learning
and wrong answers
and rash promises
and minds being blown
We find them in Acts.
Not just are they in Acts but they are also in charge of the movement that Jesus started.
After a few chapters they've undergone a transformation to become leaders with "authority".
They aren't just in charge, they have God's authority, that is a very special gift.
This is what happens when discipleship is done right.
Within this passage the great missionary team of Paul and Barnabas split up.
Yet this allows each of the great missionaries to take on new partners. Who were not quite as seasoned as either Paul or Barnabas. As well as the addition of Timothy in Paul's team.
The way they teamed up is very important.
1st it shows that ministry was done with at least two people (not including spouses).
2nd We see that there is a "culture" of discipleship already established.
When I say "culture" I mean that there exists an established tradition of the mature (spiritually, skilled, etc.) taking in and educating through direct apprenticeship those of a less mature nature.
Paul and Barnabas do not try and find partners that are just as experienced as they are. Instead what they do is find those who aren't. By finding someone who is not quite as experienced they are able to spread their knowledge and experience to the next generation of Christians. Who will then do likewise. Always one generation training the next in the way of the Christ-like life.
Today the idea of discipleship is a buzzword for church programs and does not usually reflect the direct nature of what is illustrated within the Gospels and Acts.
I may be repeating myself and talking a lot about disciples this summer, but only because I don't want you to ever forget how important this is.
The importance comes from it's unique ability to transform and educate young and immature christians into the amazing saints that exist in our congregations. Although they do not exist in enough abundance.
For example, let us think of a person we each admire as a christian role model. A great christian in our midst.
It is likely that they did not wake up one day as an amazing Christ follower. It is also likely that they instead learned how to be a great christian from another great christian. That they were challenged and grown through a long relationship or multiple relationships throughout their lives.
It may be absurd to point it out but, disciples are willing participants.
I simply point this out because an unwilling student never blossoms.
Within the stories of Jesus we see someone who solicits seemingly random unqualified people and at his beckoning they follow him immediately. However Jesus' method of cultivating disciples is the opposite of the traditional rabbinical style. In which students would go to the Rabbi and be tested as to their knowledge and ability.
Recently I have heard a suggestion that to get disciple you need to go to people and bring them under your wing. While I can see where they would get their conclusion from, I'm not sure it works with the nature of discipleship. As discipleship is a relationship there is a meeting in the middle. The student must want to learn and the mentor must want to teach. Without both parties engaged learning will not happen.
Before continuing I need to make known a very important element of this spiritual apprenticeship. As much as the mentor and student try and foster growth 1 Cor. 3 has a myriad of things to say about growth. While some plant seeds, and others water it but God is the one that makes the seed grow. As much as we each want to take credit for amazing growth that happens in our congregations and youth groups it is God that had them grow. While I don't get to yell "I did that! I made them awesome!" I do find myself yelling "I helped!" This goes both ways as Paul continues in that very scripture. He equates us to God's building. That Jesus is the foundation and Paul did some work on the building and then someone else will do some more work. Paul equates the effort and quality of our work to different building materials: gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. "their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light" 1 Cor. 3:13 What kind of materials do we build with? Because not only do we have to be accountable for our success stories but also we get to say "I helped!" with those that were not so successful. I will remember those equally as strongly as those that have become great servants.
So what is the work of discipleship? What does one learn in this kind of apprenticeship?
Servanthood.
Very simply one learns the orthodoxy and orthopraxis of what the early church called "the way". The value of discipleship is that it doesn't just teach "right thinking" but also "right actions". To know the significance of Jesus washing his disciples feet is not the same as having Jesus the Christ lower himself to such a humble and nearly shameful task and clean your very feet. Foot washing ceremonies that are reenacted today are seen as a beautiful ceremony or illustration. However when Jesus did it there was likely no sense of beauty in the room. There was more likely a stunned silence. Except for Peter who was offended and did not want to allow Jesus to humble (but more likely humiliate) himself to his disciples.
So to review:
What is a disciple/discipleship?
It is big and it is long term.
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