Dear Friends,
I am at a conference /
gathering of leaders in Dallas, Texas who focus discipleship and
mentoring. I am going for a few
reasons: my good friend Dave Buehring invited me and thinks I have something to
offer this group (I think I have much more to gain); I am promoting Canterbury,
where this event will be held next year; Discipleship is a focus of my calling,
Dave sent some materials and
I want to share a portion with you...
Have you ever
wondered what it was that moved a dozen strong, independent-thinking men to leave
behind everything to follow Jesus around the beautifully rugged countryside of
Israel? Was it the relationship He had built with them the weeks or months
before, where they saw something different and valuable in His life that they
hungered to make their own? Was it a longing to go deeper and further in their
spiritual journeys that opened them up to consider dropping everything once so
important to them so they could follow Him? Or, maybe for the fisherman of the
group it was Jesus' phrase, "I will make you fishers of men" that caught their
attention -
wooing the very core of their beings to a place of destiny, causing them to
recognize that there was more to life then what they found themselves doing
day-after-day on the Sea of Galilee.
Regardless of
what got them there, the bottom line is this: Jesus invited them to follow, the
Holy Spirit drew them to follow, and they made a deliberate choice to follow.
According to the scriptures, the rest is history - from that day forward they
became disciples of Jesus and the world has never been the same since!
There is "discipleship
pattern" in Matthew that seems to reveal:
(1)
disciples are chosen out of the place of relationship and prayer;
(2)
while relating in community, the values and truths of the Kingdom are taught
and applied while the discipler (mentor) models it for them;
(3)
as a part of the maturing process the disciples have the opportunity to put
what they are learning into practice, 'flexing their muscles' as it relates
their faith, gifts, practices and principles, serving others and sharing their
faith; and
(4)
while still growing, they are given a mandate to simply teach others to obey
what they have learned and are walking in.
As we consider our Lenten journey realize the
path we walk is one of discipleship; to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to
hear is voice; to grow in our knowledge and love for Christ and to obey
Him. I am confident He will give
us strength in every step.
In the mission,
Fr. Jon+
A few things...
I met Tim Elmore at this conference and am very impressed, moved by his ministry. Check out links to his ministry... http://www.growingleaders.com or http://www.habitudes.org
Thank you for your generosity on Sunday. The contribution of a trunk full of food for the Oviedo Food Bank and giving to the discretionary fund was substantial and will help those struggling in these days.
