CHAZOWN

In my discipleship journey with a group of men, we just started reading the book Chazown (the Hebrew word for "vision") by Craig Groeschel. My first favorite quote:

"the decisions you are making today are actually making the bed you will lie in while you wait to die."

PLEASE DISCIPLE ME

I don't know if those words are used very often; and even trying to get people who are willing to disciple or be discipled is a difficult task. But in those moments when people show a desire to take their next steps in Christ; and to help others take their next steps, there is nothing better. What I have found, is that in order to disciple someone, they need to have a desire. It is not easy, and real discipleship take everything we have and involves all we are. Comfortable Christianity is a foreign concept to true discipleship.

In a previous church, I had some guys who asked me to disciple them. But after I began, they quit; and eventually asked me to leave the church. I guess they didn't know what they were asking for; or perhaps their intentions were somewhat veiled. I don't know. Anytime someone shows interest, I will take it at face value and move ahead with helping them grow. And of course, when people turn against you, in any phase or life or relationship, it is always harder when you have invested yourself in them, and opened up your life to them.

All of that makes what God is doing, right now, in my present ministry, so encouraging and special for me personally. There are 10 guys who stepped up and basically said: "Disciple me." And in saying that, they also knew they were also saying this: "I want to become a disciple maker." They have committed a year of their lives to our process; and they know it won't stop with a year. It will then be up to them to take all that God has done in their experience and pass it on to someone else. This is what it is all about: disciples becoming disciple-makers. I'm having a hard time thinking about anything more important.

In fact, what I have noticed; is that with my focus on discipleship, the other external, temporary aspects of church ministry don't mean as much to me anymore. The facility, the numbers of attendance and finances; and even those who are complaining about things. These used to be my focus because they were the urgent things always in front of me. I was comparing myself to other "successful" pastors and churches. Now that discipleship is my personal focus and church focus, completely, those "other things" don't defeat or discourage me as much. I know that discipleship is what will last...eternally!

I have grateful to God for these men who said "disciple me"; and they really mean it!

A THANK YOU TO THE CHURCH I GREW UP IN

It hit me, again, just a couple days ago, as I was sitting in a conference that was meant to encourage pastors and leaders of small churches. It seems, in my own heart, and in the books I have read and presentations I have seen, that the churches we grew up in are highly criticized and almost completely dismissed. That didn't happen in the conference I attended this weekend, but I have read and heard it often. I do understand why many of those churches are criticized. They tended to be the more traditional churches that seemed to have some priorities out of whack, came across legalistic; and perhaps didn't seem to be centered on the gospel or attracting many to come hear the gospel. There are many things that can be on that list of criticisms I have read and heard.



But then it hit me...Maybe we are the ones thinking wrongly about this. We are very careful to be up to date in ministry and thinking; and that usually includes criticizing the way others used to or
do ministry. However, if we were to go back 40 years, to the previous generation, weren't they doing the same thing? They were making some changes from the previous generation; and they were doing what they believer would honor God as it relates to all areas of ministry. Some of the cultural and church climate issues of their day led to some of the ways they approached things. Was it really wrong? Were they completely ignorant to the gospel and the pursuit of glorifying God through making disciples? Probably not.


So, instead of pointing out the errors of the church I grew up in, I want to list the top 10 things I am grateful for, as it relates to Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa:
1. Many families worshipped together, and that was a great blessing for me
2. The Word of God was valued and preached
3. There was an emphasis on trusting in Christ for salvation
4. We were encouraged to get involved in ministry, even at a young age
5. Prayer was highlighted and depended on
6. Children's and youth ministries were well supported
7. There was an emphasis on sharing our faith with others
8. Pursuing holiness and Christ-likeness was talked about often
9. Partnering with other churches was encouraged
10. This was the ministry where I first learned about Jesus, was baptized, grew through serving, committed my life to serving God in ministry; and gained incredible, valuable experiences that led to spiritual growth.


So, today I want to thank my parents, my pastors, and the entire church family of Grandview Park Baptist Church, for the eternal impact you had on my life and many others. Don't live in the past. Don't allow the criticisms to distract you. Evaluate everything; and then keep doing what you believe God has called you to - for His glory!