You are currently browsing the monthly archive for September 2009.
Check out the new and improved website for PlantR: the Austin Area Church Planter Network. Some of the new features include:
- Video – intro to vision
- Voices – landing pad for all planter social networking in Austin (be sure to subscribe)
- Event Calendar Page
- PlantR Button
Boundless is running a new article I wrote called “The Three Conversions.” The premise is that, in America we have bought into an individualistic, one-third gospel that converts us to Christ alone. However, the New Testament points to three conversions—to Christ, Church, and Mission. This article expands on the biblical material introduced in chapter three of Fight Clubs: Gospel-Centered Discipleship.
In his stirring book, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War, Walter Chantry contrasts the life and leadership of David with the life and leadership of King Saul. Consider the contrast between the two men:
| DAVID | SAUL |
| Unimpressive stature | Impressive stature |
| Inexperienced | Experienced |
| Heart after God | Hardened Heart |
| Repentant | Resistant |
| God-reliant | Self-reliant |
| Spirit-filled | Spirit-possessed |
God uses the unexpected, unimpressive, and inexperienced to accomplish remarkable things. Saul was a head above most men. David was ruddy and small in stature. Saul was driven by an evil spirit and died a crazed, God-forsaken man.David drove an evil spirit from Saul with the sound of his lyre. Saul hid out in his tent when Goliath taunted the Israelites. David stood up for his people and his God and defeated Goliath. We could go on. What made the difference between these two men?
Their Difference is the Spirit
What made David such a remarkable leader? The Holy Spirit. The chronicler of Israel’s history reveals the primary difference between these two kings: “And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul…” (1 Sam 16:13-14). The ultimate contrast between these men was not their appearance or experience; it was their spirit. We’re told that the Spirit rushed upon David, while the Spirit departed from Saul. One man was Spirit-filled and led. The other was Spirit-devoid and distrusting. Chantry comments on their difference: “God is showing us a man filled with the Spirit in bold relief against a man without the Spirit.”
Implications of Spirit-led leadership
Consider three differences in leadership between David and Saul:
- God’s Spirit Incites Zeal – In the face of Philistine blasphemies, David was incited with zeal for the Lord: “He was stirred to the depths with concern for the glory of God.”
What is stirring you? Are you stirred to depths…for the glory of God? Do hide out in your tent, your library, your office, or are you incited with zeal for the Lord to pursue his glory in pastoring, in mission? Are you passionately pursuing God’s glory or your own?
- God’s Spirit Incites Faith – Saul relies on bribes to get others to fight Goliath. Saul discourages young leaders like David (to not fight Goliath) because he is motivated by fear not faith.
Are you leading your church, your leaders, based on fear or faith. Do you insist on control or relinquish control to let others press ahead in faith? Are you dreaming beyond your own abilities or restricted by what you can see?
- God’s Spirit Incites Wisdom – David’s zealous faith was marked by self-control. When mocked by his brothers, he did not pick a fight, defend his abilities, but channeled indignation towards his enemies.
Instead of getting side tracked by petty issues, comments, and complaints, Spirit-led leaders learn to lead with “one blind eye and one deaf ear.” We detect distractions from God’s calling with wisdom and prudence. We don’t do everything. We are compelled by Spirit-led discernment, not human-led drive and ambition.
n + 1: recession – always entertaining and insightful look into current cultural trends.
When Church Was a Family – one of the best books I have read on the nature of the church. Well-written, academic but with very practical application.
Transforming Worldviews (Hiebert) – can’ read enough of this outstanding missiologist! Insightful, robust, gospel and culture savvy.
A Faith Worth Sharing (Miller) – collected reflections on Jack Miller’s experience of sharing the gospel. Personal, warm, and in no way intimidating.
Anathem (Stephenson) – a fiction author I’ve been wanting to read for some time. Two friends, Jason Ford and AJ Hamilton have highly recommended Stephenson, also the author of the breakthru novel Snow Crash.
The Holy Spirit (Owen) – often known for his work on limited atonement and mortification of sin, Owen is more widely known as the theologian of the Spirit. This comes out in his other works, and he has two main volumes on the Spirit in his collected Works.
Check out the line up, break-outs, and schedule HERE. There are some great “sleeper” speakers at this conference too, like Daniel Montgomery, Bob Thune, and Dave Harvey.
This is a great bootcamp to end the year of Acts 29 church planting training.
Man, you missed some great gospel reflections on church planting by Michael Stewart today at PlantR. Stew is the Pastor of Missional Community at Austin Stone. His words were gospel water to my soul. He called us away from idol-making and into gospel-believing.
He pointed out how we try to find worth and meaning in lots of places besides Jesus:
- In our numbers: We “round up”, inflate our attendance, number of missional communities, conversions.
- In our models: We emphasize best practices, methodologies, and models instead of the Gospel
- In our mission: How many poor we reach, souls are saved, children are rescued, houses are built
- In our community: How much time we spend with others, how we serve them, how we are loved and accepted
- In our hits: blog activity, comments, popularity
What we need is Jesus not numbers, models, mission, and community. All these things make very bad masters. When we fail in community, community is not merciful to us. Master Community kicks us when we are down, but Jesus dies for us. Master Mission is not a good master. When we fail to be missional, to serve enough, witness enough, preach enough, Master Mission will beat us down. But what does Jesus do? He dies for us; he lifts us up. Only King Jesus is that merciful, gracious, and satisfying. His acceptance alone frees us to be ourselves for him, instead of being somebody else for others.
P.S. This last section Stew adapted from my Enduring Community talk at Acts 29 ENDURE. Audio forthcoming.
I’ve had a number of folks contact me for discounts on Fight Clubs: Gospel-Centered Discipleship, so I will periodically post coupons that LuLu sends me.
- Check out my Covenant Eyes interview on Accountability and Fight Clubs
- Check out some of what I am currently reading
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