Are you on mission today?
I'm sitting at Caribou Coffee waiting for a friend at 8:59 AM this morning, and I'm thinking about how easy it is for us as Christian leaders to slip into the malaise of just doing what we need to do today. Let's see... I'll sit in the office, make a few phone calls, work on the sermon...
And while I'm plodding along, God is dreaming of restoring the world. He has been making a new man out of me, though I have a long way to go, and He has invited me, called me, to be a part of His restoring mission.
So... am I "on mission" today? Are you? Who and what will we engage today that have a prayer of helping the Kingdom of God be manifest in the world? That's my question this morning for you guys... we talk on this blog about what the faith and the disciple and the church ought to be like in our day. Talk is cheap. Will we trust God and something significant before we change our minds?
Here are a few very simple questions to point us in the right direction:
--Who will your church reach out to this month that you have never reached out to before?
--How will you help your people learn to be bridge-builders with their neighbors?
--Are you preparing to birth another church out of yours?
--Are you scheming and praying about how to lead your church to connect with another cultural group you've never connected with before?
I'd love to hear what you guys are doing, because you probably ARE doing some of these. And if you want to be more on mission, let's dialogue about that...
posted by Fran Leeman at 8:58 AM
12 Comments:
fran,
good questions, hard questions, and much to pray for and think on, and then move on. but a few quick gut reactions:
1. good point. talk is cheap, let's walk our talk. i've been personally convicted of this recently. please pray for courage to step out in faith, and receptive hearts prepared by our great God as fertile soil for the seed of His Word.
2. 2 of your 4 questions talk about "you never (something) before". while these are good and convicting and hopefully "spurring on toward love and good deeds", as Hebrews puts it, let us also consider how to be faithful to what we are doing. perhaps let me add a question:
--how can you faithfully progress and be a good steward of who and what God has already made you a minister to and of?
3. i'm very glad to hear you speak of praying before andd in conjunction with scheming in the last question. i find that i myself and those i know far too often depend on our own knowledge, experience, cleverness, etc., to do His work, and rely far too little on the Holy Spirit to move and be at work in, around and in spite of us, on whom we really do depend, whether we acknowledge it and give God His due glory or not.
may God be at work in us all today, and may we trust Him to step out in faith for the sake of His kingdom and renown. grace and peace from Dad, brothers.
Fran's questions are exactly the point of Reggie McNeal who has now spoken at several levels of the denomination gatherings. They are simple questions for the accomplishment of the Gospel.
Walt~
With reference to my questions asking if we will do some things we've never done before, you asked,
"How can you faithfully progress and be a good steward of who and what God has already made you a minister to and of?"
That's an insightful question. I can see trying to answer it both from the perspective of faithfulness to our current work, and also from the perspective of the challenge of going into new territory.
With regard to the first, we should not abandon current ministry directions God has definitely called us to. I have gone a lot of new places the last few years in y ministry, but I still preach almost every Sunday, I still often counsel people, I take newcomers out to coffee or dinner-- these are the things I was doing already. Of course, balancing it all can be tricky, so we have to continually ask all those questions about priorities, delegating, etc.
With regard to following Jesus in to new territory, that is precisely where prayer is paramount. Every new place we have taken things the last few years has been discerned over some period of time through prayers like, "Lord, what are you saying to us? What do you want us to be? Where do you want us to follow you?" I believe it is the leaders' responsibility in a church to discern where God is taking things-- we are the "primary listeners" for the leading of God for the church (not just the pastor, but the core leaders). And if God is speaking in a way that takes us into new territory, then when we say to the congregation, "Let's go here...", we are not leading autocratically, because what we are really saying is, "I think what God is speaking to us is..."
Walt
Some questions about “Christian leaders?”
You mentioned leaders...
“I'm sitting at Caribou Coffee waiting for a friend at 8:59 AM this morning,
and I'm thinking about how easy it is
for us as Christian leaders
to slip into the malaise of just doing
what we need to do today.”
Fran Leeman mentioned leaders...
“I believe it is the leaders' responsibility
in a church to discern where God
is taking things--
we are the "primary listeners"
for the leading of God for the church
(not just the pastor, but the core leaders).”
How do you reconcile this with Jesus
in Mat 23:10 teaching His disciples
not to be called master/leader for
you have one master/leader the Christ?
The Interlinear Bible-
Nor be called leaders,
for one is your leader the Christ.
Phillips Modern English-
you must not let people call you leaders,
you have only one leader, Christ.
Today's English Version-
nor should you be called leader.
your one and only leader is the Messiah.
The Amplified-
you must not be called masters ( leaders )
for you have one master ( leader )
the Christ.
In His Service. By His Grace.
Amos... so you don't believe in leaders who lead out of listening to the Spirit of God? No one said anything about masters, but leaders-- yes! It's all over the Bible, man.
Fran
Fran
Leaders? God’s ways are not our ways.
If Jesus told His disciples
not to be called master/leader
and someone calls them self a leader
or thinks they are a leader;
are they a disciple of Christ?
If that is our choice, “disciple” or “leader”
which one do you choose?
Have you considered the ant?
An ant is small and insignificant. Or is it?
Go to the ant, thou sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having
no guide,
overseer,
or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer,
and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-9
Guide - 07101 qatsiyn from 07096
KJV - ruler 4, prince 4, captain 3, guide 1
1- chief, commander, dictator.
2- ruler (of one in authority)
Overseer - 07860 shoter {sho-tare'}
KJV - officers 23, ruler 1, overseer 1; 25
1- official, officer.
Ruler - 04910 mashal {maw-shal'}
KJV - rule 38, ruler 19, reign 8,
dominion 7, governor 4, 81
1-to rule, have dominion, reign
2- to exercise dominion.
Just about every seminary has
in it’s mission statement
that they are “training leaders.”
But Jesus told His disciples not to be called leaders.
“Didn’t Jesus come as a servant?
But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant...
and humbled Himself...”
Php 2:7
Ro 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus,
the servants of Jesus Christ,
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you,
a servant of Christ,
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant
His disciples all called themselves servants,
none called themselves leaders. None? None.
None called themselves servant-leader. None.
Isaiah 3:12
O my people, they which lead thee
cause thee to err,
and destroy the way of thy paths.
Isaiah 9:16
For the leaders of this people
cause them to err;
and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep:
their shepherds have caused them to go astray...
God’s ways are higher than our ways.
And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd.
John 10:16
One Voice- One Fold - One Shepherd.
If Not Now; When?
Be blessed.
In His Service. By His Grace.
Amos I don't know if you are really interested in dialogue or just want to correct other people but in the event you are open to dialogue here are some "proof texts".
Hebrews 13:17 KJV "obey them that have the rule over you"
That sounds like there are those whom God has put in leadership positions.
1 Co. 12:28 "God has set some in the church...helps, governments...."
God gave some the gift of government. The Greek word means pilot or helmsman. If that is true I hope he/she is directing the ship.
And what about 1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God. I think that shepherds lead sheep.
Just another note--I am not sure where Amos got the translation master/leader. In one verse Jesus says "Don't be called Rabbi" in another Jesus says don't be called Master which is the Greek word "kategatai". It means teacher, not leader. In modern Greek it means professor. It is only used once in the New Testament but here is no indication it means leader.
Although, I have a problem with churches that are led solely by one pastor, a church must have leaders or it will go no where.
vieuxloup
Thanks for the responce.
“if you are really interested in dialogue”
Dialogue - Dictionary
a discussion between two or more people or groups, esp. one directed toward exploration of a particular subject or resolution of a problem.
I may be mistaken, but we certainly have a lot of
problems in the body of Christ.
There are over 2000 denominations,
they all say the Bible is the word of God,
and they all disagree about something.
Yes, I’m intrested in this topic of
“The Church of God”
and dialoguing about it with you.
Let’s start with what Jesus said to His disciples
about “rabbi” and “master.”
Now my research could be off target,
but here is what I found.
To “His disciples” Jesus said...
Not to be called Rabbi or Master.
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi:
for one is your Master, even Christ;
and all ye are brethren.
Rabbi - #4461 rhabbi {hrab-bee'} Rabbi, a title used by the Jews to address their teachers.
Rabbi - Dictionary - an ordained teacher,
The spiritual head of a congregation.
Rabbi - Strongs - my master, as an official title of honor: Master, Rabbi.
Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters:
for one is your Master, even Christ.
Master - Dictionary - a man who rules others or
has control, authority, or power over something;
specifically, a man who is head of a household
or institution;
Master - Strongs # 2519, kathegetes
from two greek words # 2596 + # 2233 (to lead)
A guide, teacher, master.
And yes, while some versions use teacher,
instructor, guide, instead of master.
Many use leader.
The Interlinear Bible- Nor be called leaders...
Phillips Modern English- you must not let people call you leaders, you have only one leader, Christ.
Today’s English Version- nor should you be called leader, your one and only leader is the Messiah.
The question for me became;
Do I want to be a teacher - master/leader
or do I want to be a disciple of Christ?
To be a disciple there is quite a price to pay.
A disciple forsakes all...
Counts all things dung...
Just wants to know Him...
Loves not the world...
Loves not his own life...
Aways takes the lower place...
Makes himself of no reputation...
Gives thanks for all things... All things? Yes.
Denys himself and picks up his cross daily...
Counts all the shame joy, for what's before him...
So, the way I’m understanding it now is;
When I believe and choose to be a disciple of Christ
the option of being a teacher, guide, leader, master, is no longer a possibility for me.
Now #2233 is intresting because it is also
one of the Greek words in the first scripture
you mentioned Heb 13:17, “have the rule over.”
“Have the rule over” is only three times,
all in Heb chapter 13.
Here are the other ways it is translated in the KJV.
#2233 hegeomai - hayg-eh'-om-ahee
KJV - count 10, think 4, esteem 3, have rule over 3,
be governor 2, misc 6; 28
The Greek word for “Obey” in Heb 13:17
is the root word for faith.
#3982 peitho - pi'-tho
KJV - persuade 22, trust 8, obey 7,
have confidence 6, believe 3, be confident 2,
Hmmm? Maybe that word “obey” then is different
from how we understand obey today.
Maybe we need to go to God and ask Him what
He means here in this verse.
Didn't Jesus warn us about "the traditions of men" that make the word of God of non effect?
Deuteronomy 4:36
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice,
that he might instruct thee.
God’s ways are higher than our ways.
And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice;
and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd.
John 10:16
One Voice- One Fold - One Shepherd.
If Not Now; When?
Be blessed.
In His Service. By His Grace.
Amos,
IS it leadership period that offends you, or the modern day incarnation of it. Is it the modern day role of the pastor that offends you or just leadership in general?
The first century Christians were an oddity. They were a group without priest, temple, or sacrifice. But make no mistake, there were leaders. The difference then verses today is that leaders then were recognized by service and spiritual maturity rather than today's title or office. Among the early church were elders, for instance. However, these men all had equal standing. There was no hierarchy among them. The vocabulary of New Testament leadership has no room for pyramidal structures. It was a language of horizontal relationships that included exemplary action.
Now, pretend for a moment that there exists a church community in which the leadership is horizontal with the remaining community and has abolished such horrible words such as clergy and laity from it's vocabulary. Pretend further that you are a member of that community. What then, would your answers to Fran's original questions be?
The questions he poses are essential and missional in their nature. They ask us to reach beyond ourselves and not only think deep thoughts, but act on them.
I agree the question of leadership is an essential one we need to seriously revise if we want to have a future that models the early church, but while we work that out, there are some hard questions to answer about mission.
--Who will your church reach out to this month that you have never reached out to before?
I don't know. I'm having breakfast with one of our State Reps this week along with some other community leaders to discuss the kids. The State Rep recently met the younger members of our gathering and their wounds made the State Rep cry. While I am seeking avenues of relief and safety for our younger members, maybe we can find avenues to minister to the State Rep and the other leaders and be a blessing to them. I never thought of that until now.
--How will you help your people learn to be bridge-builders with their neighbors?
Being bridge builders in this community is not really an issue. It is already an integral part of their nature. Perhaps in our world, it is lessoning the co dependency when wounded by others time and time again.
--Are you preparing to birth another church out of yours?
Our community is less than a year old, but it has been written into our DNA from day one that we would multiply. I do not know when that first house church will spring from the loins of our group, but I know it will happen.
--Are you scheming and praying about how to lead your church to connect with another cultural group you've never connected with before?
Yes.
Amos and all-
Wow interesting discussion, I see both sides. I just got done with our gathering this evening and I have a scripture, we used this evening, I would like to throw in.
But before I go there I think Patrick (aka captaintux) makes the best point out of all the discussion, I will contend. That is horizontal leadership verses Vertical leadership.
I will agree that what I see in a majority of Leadership structures in the church today is not what I see illustrated in the New Testament. Even in the Churches of God I see flaws, but I think I see people moving in the right direction.
For example at River City Church (where I am on of three elders) We have no head elder, although our men call me the lead pastor to help put it in terms so people outside our church understand. But when we make decisions we make them as a team, we seek God's guidance, and if we disagree on something we pray till God leads us all to agreement. We recently made a decision that I originally didn't agree with.
I don't have veto power personally, we all do, in the sense we must all agree. No head. the only vertical leadership we have as a congregation is to Jesus. But God has called us three men to be accountable for our church.
We view ourselves as under-shepherds of the true shepherd. And I see many leaning that way. I would also like to make the argument that we do not see any Democracy in the NT church.
Which leads me to the scripture from our gathering this evening. A gentleman shared from Romans 12 were Paul is describing gifting, and he read 4-11, verse 8 says "...If God has given you leadership ability take the responsibility seriously." My version, NKJV says "...he who leads, with diligence.
We were discussing Neh. Ch 8 with the structure of Governors,Priests, and Levites in Gods model city and how the NT church resembles that today.
So my question is does the Bible Contradict? I would say no. I would say we have to find what the Bible illustrates in this situation. I find structure all over the Bible.
The family, the Old Testament Church and the New Testament Church. Husbands are to lead their families, We all know that the Bible calls wives to "Submit."
Moses is called to appoint Judges.
Paul tells Titus to "ordain" elders. Timothy is told to appoint Elders and Deacons.
I will contend that a Leader is very different than a master. And I believe the Bible Illustrates accountable groups of men who jointly lead/ translate/vision cast God's messages for their churches benefit.
I will contend when Jesus is teaching his disciples not to have people call them Mater/Rabbi he is telling them not to establish their own Authority over people, but to let people choose to follow them. In other words one must be sent as a servant and chosen by the people to lead.
That is the way I reconcile this debate in scripture. It may not be real clear, because I just closed with our benediction and started typing in fact I'm still sitting in our sanctuary.
But that is my take. But like I said I think it needs to be more of a discussion of horizontal leadership verses vertical leadership. Great point Patrick, we sure could use you in the CGGC.
Fran my vote is you recruit him for the new Chicago region you oversee.
View scripture through scripture translate into context and culture.
Shalom-
Justin,
I thank you for your kind words. In reality, I am nothing brilliant, just some bloke trying to work it all out like the rest of us. I was trying to steer this back to Fran's original topic. But you got my brain twisting. You hit the nail on the head with servant. The New Testament word for minister is diakonos, or servant. Somewhere down the line we have taken the term minister and equated it with pastor During the reformation there was a lot of language assaulting the one bishop rule and giving the priesthood back to all believers. But ultimately, we replaced the role of priest with pastor and blurred the line again. I am glad to see a shift taking place back to servant leaders, but I really hope we take stock in the collateral damage we produced. The main point of Hebrews seems to be the ending of the old priesthood. I Corinthians 12-14 grants every member the right to minister in a church meeting. 1 Peter 2 makes every brother and sister in our body a functioning priest. That biblical priesthood of all needs to be restored. To do that, we who are pastors by title and/or vocation need to be humble and find ways to eliminate the gap between clergy and laity until we are once again one body. It will make life easier on us. Jesus Christ never intended one man to carry the burden of the church and juggle 20 things at once. I think the lives of many pastors I know is evidence of the fact that something destroys leaders who do not follow the biblical model. Pressures to have the ideal family, the long hours, insufficient time with spouse and kids, the isolation of having few-or no-close friends in the congregation, low self esteem, depression, burnout borne from frantic schedules and unrealistic expectations, and so on. The pressures of the modern day pastor are more than most mortals can-or should-bear. This whole moving the body thing was designed to incorporate more of the body.
What does that look like? Justin made some excellent points that we have to wrestle with scripture on this one as God did not leave us a clear diagram with graphs.
Greetings and blessings to you all.
It seems that you also have struggled with these things. And have seen the devastation it has brought on pastors as well as those who were abused in the congregations.
You have seen the misuse of words and postions.
I’m enjoying the communion, koinonia, fellowship.
Doing this in remembrance of Jesus.
Remembering His death, burial and resurection until he comes.
Then they that feared the LORD
spake often one to another:
and the LORD hearkened, and heard it,
and a book of remembrance was written
before him for them that feared the LORD,
and that thought upon his name.
Malachi 3:16
Aren’t words and how we define them important?
Didn’t God create all things with words?
When I hear the word “Church” I want to think of;
The redeemed of the Lord.
The habitation of God.
The Israel of God.
The body of Christ.
Haven’t we have told the unbelieving, unsaved,
that they need to go to a good Bible believing church?
Don’t they picture in their mind
a building with a steeple on it?
Did Jesus shed His blood for a building,
a denomination, an institution,
a business, or a corporation?
Should we call a corporation “The Church?”
How many will know and understand that they can
become “the ekklesia of God.”
The called out one’s of God.
How many will know that “The Church of God”
“The ekklesia, the called out one’s of God” are;
Kings and preist’s unto God.
The Bride of Christ.
Servants of Christ.
Sons of God.
Disciples of Christ.
Ambassadors of Christ.
Haven’t we deceived them by telling them and
demonstrating that a building is the church?
When all the time “you’re” the ekklesia of God.
The habitation of God. The Isreal of God.
Haven’t they missed the awesomeness of God,
The beauty of His Church,
How we all become one in Him?
How we are in him and he is in us?
And those who are led by the spirit
those are the sons of God?
Neither bond nor free, neither male nor female,
No Complementarinism nor Egalitarianism.
No denominationalism nor
non- denominationalism.
No clergy nor laity, no leaders nor followers.
No shepherds nor sheep. Only bretheran.
All obeying Jesus, All following Jesus, as one new man.
Jesus is the head of the body
(the ekklesia, the called out one’s) the church.
If I’m a “king,” where do I go for my orders?
Do I go to another king? Or to the King of Kings, Jesus?
If I’m a “priest,” who is my authority? Another priest?
Or Jesus, the “high priest” after the order of Melchisedec?
If I’m “The bride of Christ” do I listen to another bride?
Or should I go directly to Jesus, my husband?
If I’m a “servant” do I take orders from another servant?
Or should I be listening directly to Jesus my master?
If I’m a “Son” Who do I ask for information, for guidence?
Another kid on the block? Or my Father in heaven who loves me?
If I’m a “disciple of Christ” a learner, a student, of Christ,
who do you think wants to teach me? Could it be Jesus?
Ambassador - dictionarey
the highest diplomatic representitive
that one soverign power sends to another.
Are you all ambassadors for Christ?
Since He is the highest soverign power
then you are the highest diplomatic representive
that Christ has on earth.
No one, absolutly no one, is higher than you.
You are God’s ambassador, delivering His message
to a broken world.
And no one lower... Horizontal? Hmmm?
Why can't I just be a bretheran,
helping another bretheran?
Could it be a test?
Could it be "idols of the heart?"
Ezekiel 14
Hmmm? Could titles become idols?
The Church...
Kings and preist’s unto God.
The Bride of Christ.
Servants of Christ.
Sons of God.
Disciples of Christ.
Ambassadors of Christ.
Instead of asking people to go to church,
why not ask them to become the church?
God loves me and forgives me all my sin.
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