Matthew 11:28-30, James 4:8, Luke 10:27-28, Acts 17:16-34
When we think of… sharing the Good News about hope in Jesus, God’s love and forgiveness, and life in God’s Spirit we are talking about a way of being. When we draw close to God, God draws close to us and we can be who we truly are in Christ. God’s Spirit is already at work in people’s lives; wooing them before us (prevenient grace) and our invitation is to join Him and follow the Spirit’s leading in the process.
Evangelism is coming to Jesus and letting Him form you to be in relationship with others. In stories such as the woman at the well, the rich young ruler, or Paul in Athens; what did these people need? What did the giver of good news need? Being the light and sharing good news can be about what we need and how God uses us in our need to be in relationship with others and transform them and us both in the process…
Luke 4:14-21, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 10:27-28, 1 Corinthians 11:1
When we think of… discipleship, it is about allowing our lives to be formed in the process of following Jesus, with our whole person and community, engaging in God’s mission and presence already present, and inviting others to do the same.
Being in Christ results in doing and sharing good news. Our example is Jesus’ mission. We follow in the footsteps of our master by contextualizing the good news and living out timeless examples of Christ-centered living. Discipleship begins out of a personal relationship with God and pours over into all other relationships. Discipleship does not happen on its own. Discipleship is best when practiced in the tension of being a disciple of Jesus by drawing close to God, practicing what Jesus did in being the good news, then doing the same. Being discipled by someone ourselves and—in turn–discipling someone else. We can only share and mentor in ways we have experienced and have chosen to grow…
1 Timothy 4:11-16, Mark 6:1-12, Mark 1:14, Matthew 10, John 1:1-5, 14, Luke 4:43, Matthew 19:16-30
When we think of… an art form discovered in the journey of following Jesus and the accountability of community, we are thinking of leadership. Christ-following leaders are often formed along the way and always in process and only ever arrive in further depths and variety of growing in grace and transforming relationships with God and others.
Good leading is good following. Quality Leaders can lead in various ways and allow the strengths and gifts of others to shine in the kingdom. God has always been calling his followers to go out from where they are to where God wants them to be and do what God wants them to be doing. God sent Jesus. Jesus sent his followers. God calls and sends us. Good leadership development happens in a posture of sentness. Whether in our own neighborhood or across the planet, we are always on the journey. Always being sent. In progress. Growing in grace. Living in a posture of sent-ness in Christ requires vigilant dependence on God’s provision and strength. Leaders go when sent and trust God for the equipping, timing, and results. Sending leadership success is measured in obedience, faithfulness, and going.