Good Followership and Stepping up the Family

Wow! I am finally done with George Barna's new book, The Seven Faith Tribes... What a read! There were things I liked about it and things I didn't. Honestly, the first half or so of the book was kind of a drag to my non-numbers oriented brain. I really don't get into facts/figures/statistics... So it's not that the first half of the book was not useful... just that I don't grasp a lot of information delivered in that manner. I also tend toward being rather a-political... And I'll be the first to admit, it is mostly out of ignorance and the overwhelming feeling of "what does it matter anyway???" that I don't get involved in political matters. However this book was able to speak to me some simple direct advice on how to positively affect change in my little corner of the world.

That said, I would recommend buying the book just for three chapters!

Chapter 10 is some of the best reading I've done in a long time. It's entitled "Empowering Values-Driven Leaders." I'm going to recap the twelve commitments of great followers for you and then throw in a couple quotes to give you a feel for this chapter.

The Twelve Commitments of Great Followers

1. Know what you're looking for in a leader

2. Live and die for the vision

3. Refuse to settle for anything but the best

4. Provide constructive feedback

5. Hold leaders to the highest reasonable standards-- and expect them to do the same with you

6. Always place community interest above self-interest

7. Be proud of your leaders

8. Become a great team player

9. Perform your duties with excellence

10. Add value all the time

11. Focus on the future

12. Keep growing personally

Barna gives lots of details regarding each of these points... practical doable advice.

Here are a few remarks re: being a good follower (where can I find a whole book on the subject???) that really spoke to me:

"It's inappropriate for you to hold a leader to a standard that you refuse to live by."

"How can you support them? Listen to their guidance, obey their exhortations, pray for their wisdom and strength, and hold them accountable to make the vision a reality."

"You cannot change the entire world in a single day, but you can change one person or one situation, or influence one leader, today."

"Remember, it's a partnership where you have given the leader the right to push you to a higher level, and you reserve the right to demand better guidance from the leader."

Chapter 12, Stepping Up the Family's Contribution was a great chapter as well, and has me wondering whether Barna's book called Revolutionary Parenting would be a good buy... He speaks a lot about the outsourcing of parenting that we have been doing as a nation, seemingly regardless of our tribal orientation. A couple quotes from that section that really hit me: "Children have received little to no education concerning what it means to be a competent follower." "Basic skills have been ill formed: children are adept at talking but not listening, complaining but not encouraging, demanding but not thanking, starting but not finishing." He gives advice to tribal leaders regarding their responsibility to support parents in the efforts of raising their children to be honorable citizens. He speaks to parents about being a "coach." I liked this quote from chapter 12: "In this process, parents must also pay attention to their own maturity and development. Great parents are always growing. It is a principle that enables them to have something of value to give to their children: a worthy example, useful knowledge, genuine faith, reliable advice, and more."

And finally Chapter 13, "Faith Tribes Must Pull Their Weight," or rather a small sub-section titled "A word to the christian-oriented tribes"... I'll not go into great detail here... You have to read it for yourself and this blogpost is getting quite lengthy! But I will leave you with just a few quotes from this section that really motivate me:

"To add value to our society-- and to honor God-- we need to see leadership as an act of service, not an exercise of power, and we must function with grace and humility rather than coerciveness and pride."

"We have been called to use every public gathering as a chance to respect, love, and serve people."

"...we are called to be so different from the world that others take notice of how we reflect, deliberate, and provide unusual wisdom. They should be struck by how respectful we are of alternative views and the compassion we consistently demonstrate to others."

"We have been granted the chance to show the world what true love looks like. We have the opportunity to be a force to be reckoned with by choosing not to be a force to be reckoned with."

"The revolution starts with you, doing what you are capable of doing, regardless of what others are doing. Leadership is not about being or doing what is popular. It is about doing what is right, simply because it is right."

In short, get the book! Even if you only read the last few chapters, it is well worth your time and money to look a little deeper into your role in revolutionizing the world, starting with your family and your faith community.

Life and stuff and more stuff

1) So we went to session 3/4 of Immersion last night... based on the discipleship process outlined in THIS book if you're interested in reading more about it...

This is the second time I've taken the class and I like it this time around. It's a beautiful process for making disciples that make disciples... While the first time I took the class I was uncomfortable with the idea of being pushed through a "process," it's not the kind of system that assigns a number and drops you when you graduate... It is a way to develop real relationships, Jesus-style. I am so thankful to be under the care of people serious about making disciples and loving people like God does... and I think it's really nifty that I see myself using those principles in more and more relationships as time goes on. You should check out the book!

e.t.a: Here's what I really want to say about the whole discipleship process thing... I came to Hub City Church a broken, scared, skeptical mess. Now, I'm still a mess in some ways LoL BUT my heart has changed over the course of this last year. It's soft and teachable now. I love and trust the people who bothered to love me first, when I was such a mess and rather unlovable. I think it is a miracle that human beings can love like God does. That is the Holy Spirit more than any big loud extravagant wonder-working. That's real life, and I think it's pretty neat. Anyway, enough blabbering... just had to say it...

2) I am getting so excited about the Doula workshop I'll be participating in at the end of August! Allen surprised me by saving up enough for me to take the class. He knew how much it meant to me and is sacrificing the money and a Saturday to help me along in something that is a passion of mine. And the best part is that I get to help one of my best girlfriends Joy in her first pregnancy and birth! Congrats Joy and Jason... you guys will be awesome parents... Jason, no Predator until the kid's at least 3, ok? LoL

3) I've been thinking about something a lot lately. I tend to be a little on the insane side when it comes to how I love people... I wouldn't say I love A LOT of people, but those I call friends, I would die for. And I really like to be loved in the same way. With passion, intensity, fierceness... no holds barred. And the thing I've been thinking about is that, I'm not sure what happened, but I haven't really been loving God wildly lately... Like we have sort of settled into a "roommate" relationship as of late and I don't care much for it. It's totally me. God has been pursuing me... I can feel him kinda following me around waiting for me to ask his opinion, tell him how wonderful he is for the grace he's been showing me, jump into his arms and celebrate the life he has given me. And I don't know what the deal is, but I'm feeling awkward with him and I hate that! It's not that He's not talking to me... It's not that I'm not experiencing his love through tons of situations right now... It's not that I don't think of him... I'm just not adoring him, I'm not regularly worshiping him, I'm not laying other things aside to just be with him without time constraints... I think it's just life and schedule changes and sickness and all the little things that add up to keep us from really investing in our loved ones for a time. I've missed my quiet times in the early morning because I needed the extra rest and kids coming and going have been distracting. I don't have any great solution for myself. I guess I'm just going to start with getting up early in the morning again... Maybe start with the Psalms for right now... I'm open to suggestions!

TTFN!

The Seven Faith Tribes

So I'm reading this book right now... It is interesting. It's about the Seven Faith Tribes (hence the title) in America, which include: Captive Christians, Casual Christians, Mormons, Jews, Pantheists, Muslims, and Skeptics. I'm only about halfway through at the moment, but hope to finish within the week. So far it's just TONS of information regarding these groups and their cultures, beliefs, and so on, which rightly covers the "Who they are? and What they believe?" segments promised... So hopefully I will be getting to the "Why they matter?" portion soon : )

If you would like to download the first chapter of the book for free, follow this link:

FREE DOWNLOAD

There are also a couple interesting articles out there to read regarding the content of the book:

America's Seven Faith Tribes Hold the Key to National Restoration: article by Barna about the book

AND

Can Barna Unite the Tribes in Time to Save America?: interesting neopagan review of the book

ENJOY... READ... DISCUSS...

What is God teaching you?

That was the question at Hub Group last night. I didn't answer it, partly because I was feeling kinda crummy and my brain wasn't working properly... partly because it had been a few weeks since we'd had Hub Group and the people (in that setting anyway) around me looked a little like strangers, but mostly because that's a HUGE question... not one that's real easy to answer on the fly, so I wanted a chance to think about it.

I was going to say that I'm not sure God is "teaching" me anything right now... because the first thing I think of when I hear "teach" is theology... new ideas... concepts... etc. And I don't think I'm really learning in that way right now. However, the more I think about what God is doing in my life, the more keenly aware I am that He is indeed "teaching" me pretty constantly right now. And I'm happy to say, I do believe I am learning at the same time!

God is ministering to me right now at this time in my life. He is caring for me. He is healing past hurts and teaching me about who I am in His sight... which is teaching me to deal with present hurts and empowering me to feel capable of handling future hurts. Life is not easy and Christianity does not = immunity.

At the same time He is ministering to me, I also feel Him teaching me how to minister to others, which is really exciting to me. I have always enjoyed helping people, but the past several years of "Churchianity" have left me feeling needy and broken and useless. So it's cool to feel like He might use me to do something good and worthwhile again. I feel hopeful that the future holds a place for me, however small, to be the church to Jesus (what we think of as the world).

He's teaching me to be brave. But He's making me see how impotent I am without Him. He's teaching me to stand taller, but He's making me humbler. He's teaching me to trust Him more and myself less. He's teaching me to believe in miracles and to see them where they might not seem so miraculous to anybody else... like in my own life, a regular person getting closer to Him and learning to be who I am.

There's this song I listened to this morning... You can find the lyrics and listen to it HERE That is so my life... and the miraculous thing is that it's your life too, I'm sure of it. Don't fight Him anymore. Don't be afraid to go to Him. He loves you especially.

Easier said than done!

I have been running across a lot of things in the Bible lately that are definitely easier said than done. They're not things that are big news to me... like I haven't heard them before or anything... But you know how certain things just jump out at you at different times in your life? Yeah, I'm seriously glad that God is not done talking to us in this day and age. I have a lot to learn!

So what I've been doing is reading through our church's "family commitment" and reading through passages in the Bible that deal with the different issues/beliefs/commitments it highlights. Kind of researching things in case that is something I want to do in the future...

It has been interesting. Some things I thought I would have a problem with, I don't have a problem with. Some things I wish I didn't have a problem with, I do have a problem with! And when you have a problem with something... especially in regard to the church, isn't it great when you can find a neat, tidy little Bible verse to support your stance and blow the other guy out of the water? lol. Yeah, I really did used to think that way... I'm not proud of where I am. I am THANKFUL. My life, especially my "church life" has been a humbling experience. And I am grateful to God that I can say my first instinct (after the fear faded!) with this contract of sorts, was to ask Him to show me how to change how I feel so that I can continue to grow and become more mature.

So here's a breakdown of the commitment:

*Love the family- this is the most important. Healthy families love each other.

*Be in relationship- Be connected in a Hub Group

*Support the mission with my time, talents and resources- Praying for Hub City, Attend gatherings faithfully, Serving by doing what needs to be done, Giving

*Preserve the unity of Hub City- No gossip, Following the leaders as they follow Jesus

Pretty simple. Fairly universal as far as Christianity/church life goes. Not anything too controversial. And for the most part, pretty easy for me to align myself with. EXCEPT for one minor issue (which really is not all that minor!)

Here is a little of what I have been reading about *Following the leaders as they follow Jesus*:

1 Peter 5:1-7 reads:

I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for-- God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you, he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God, he is most careful with you.

Hebrews 13:17 reads:

Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?

I can find lots of information outside the Bible which tells me this last point that I take issue with is unnecessary, or even un-Biblical. I've actually read A LOT of it... And that kind of writing brings me instant relief! LoL. BUT God tells me what he thinks about it in his Word. That doesn't really make it any easier to DO, but at least I know what I'm looking at...

Now round about the time I had finished reading these two passages and various others like it... several times... over the last couple of weeks... I noticed a statement at the top of this "family commitment."

It reads: At Hub City we will never ask our family to do more than the Bible clearly teaches.

Now I don't know why I didn't see that little sentence before... Perhaps because I had my defenses up and was looking for trouble... Maybe because I am just a little bit on the oblivious side at times... It IS time for me to get my eyes checked again... anything's possible! But it seems to me that that statement changes everything. It means that "I" know what I am supposed to do. AND "They" know what they're supposed to do. Ultimately (like in other relationships within the church and even marriage) I have to decide to do what God wants me to do, having some faith that they will do what they're supposed to do. If they don't... well I guess that's where the whole "being down to earth with one another" might come in... I also read in another part of the Bible about the difference between trust and gullibility... the knowledge of which may have come in handy in some of my previous church experience! There is no merit in being an ignorant sucker! LoL. But I can also tell you woe to those "leaders" who dared to take advantage of immature Christians. God is very clear about that in his Word as well.

So. What's it all mean?

???

I dunno... but I do. As far as the uncertainty of life, the unpredictability of people, and the possibility of being hurt... I really have no idea whatsoever. But at least I know where God is and that I can live carefree before Him because He cares for me. Do I HAVE to know anything else?

What are you searching for? What is uncertain in your life? What are you afraid of?

What does God have to say about it? You can trust him. I can trust him. When everything else falls apart, He stands. When everything else is uncertain, He is sure. I can tell you without a doubt that there is no better place to be broken than in the sight of the only One who can put you back together again. I am glad to be there!

A Few Things...

1. I need to practice.

2. I'm not so much interested in the same things I was when I was in my late teens/early twenties... but those songs made for some amusing reliving of those days!

3. I still like the feel of my fingers throbbing from playing too much.

4. I need to get some chords from online so I don't waste all my time trying to figure out how to play songs.

5. I miss the days when music was my life. But, I'm hopeful that God can bring all this mess together somehow and that it can be worked in here and there without too much trouble.

Conclusion: It was a good day and I've been stupid to throw out all my loves. Gotta right that wrong : )

I'm thankful for a creative God. And that he has a healthy sense of humor!

Music Therapy

I did A LOT of driving today. About 5 hours worth. With 2 screaming toddler boys in the backseat of a small car. I had the music up really, realLY, REALLY LOUD. LoL.

Listened to some great, soulish, raw and expressive music and it really inspired me! Tomorrow after I get Christian to and from his eye doc appt., I'm getting out my beautiful guitar and a book of homemade unfinished songs... and I'm just going to spend some time being creative.

You know, God made me in His image. He is a creative God. I'm hoping to draw on that a bit in the coming days. I've been missing music in my life. And I've been mourning a loss of creativity. And there's really no good reason for me to let that continue is there?