I have always felt that it was important to speak my mind. Right or wrong, sometimes things just need to be said, and that day was no different. Now the area of Galilee was a good bit of ground to cover on foot and contained a number of different towns, but there was not much that could happen without everybody in the region hearing about it. That particular day, as I remember, was particularly hot, and I decided to take a little refuge in the shade of a fig tree. That particular tree, my grandfather had planted the year I was born. As I reclined in its shade, I realized this fig tree was symbolic of my life, my prosperity, and I could “feel” the blessing of God watching over me.
Figuring I had spent enough time avoiding my duties, and filling my stomach with a few not quite ripe figs and cool water from my jug, I started for the top of the hill toward my next task. Looking to the crest of the hill as I walked, I could see, blurred by the waves of heat rising into the air, a dark figure briskly walking toward me. When I saw who it was, I could not believe my eyes. It was Philip, from Bethsaida! “Philip, what are you doing here?” “Oh, I bet it is for Joseph’s wedding in a couple days, isn’t it?”
Catching his breath, he began to tell me about some fellow that supposedly was the fulfillment of all the prophets and Moses. I had heard this type of thing before, and if it were not for the fact that I respected Philip and his friendship, I would have laughed him right back across the Sea of Galilee. “Where is he from?” I ask, as I turned back toward the shade of my fig tree, attempting to sound interested. When Philip replied, I could not contain myself any longer. “Nazareth! Nazareth! Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” I looked Philip straight in the eye, grinning ear to ear. He was unfazed, and simply turned saying, “Come and see!” I stood there for a moment, the coolness of the fig tree shade called me to linger longer, but for some reason…I followed.
I could barely keep up with Philip; perhaps I had gotten soft over the past year since I had seen Philip last. Philip, finally waiting for me, walked the last 50 feet, or so, with me, toward a small group of men. This group was nothing amazing to look at, and a number of them stank of fish. All of a sudden, one of the men said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” I replied, “How do you know me?” The man answered, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” For whatever reason, I knew just then, this was no ordinary man. This was not because he was too far away to have seen that I was under my fig tree, or that he was just an extraordinarily good guesser, but when he said he “saw me” I knew that feeling. It was the feeling that I had while in the shade of that tree; it was the “blessing of God watching over me.” I knew in that moment that my life was going to change, and that I may never get the opportunity to recline in the shade of my simple prosperity again.
Over the next few days, that man, Jesus, did the miraculous right before our eyes; turning water into wine. He invited me to come along side of him and learn of him. I followed him, not on extraordinary adventures and not into battle, but I followed him into the everyday life of people. Yes, there were crowds and even mobs, but there were also many more times of Jesus and individuals. I watch him spending time with fishermen and children, I watched him feed the hungry, and care for the widow. And Yes, he would teach us on the hillsides, sea sides, and in the houses, but he taught us most as we laughed together, worked together, played together, and cried together. Jesus not only told us how to live our lives in the light of God’s love, he showed us. He showed us the Kingdom of Heaven, in life and in death.
That day, when Jesus said that he saw me under my fig tree, I believed. I said “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” It was something that just needed to be said. I still love the feeling of taking refuge from the sun under the big leaves of a fig tree, and I love the sweet taste of that fruit on my tongue, but the prosperity that I forfeited for following my King and Savior does not compare with the glorious riches, refuge and return I have gained.
NOTE: The preceding is a fictitious rendering of the discipleship experiences of the disciple Bartholomew. For the purposes of this work, the position is held that Bartholomew, mentioned only in the synoptic Gospels, is the same individual as that of the Nathanael mentioned in the Gospel of St. John (1:45-51).
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Ecclesiastical Horticulture for Community
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We have all heard that particular adage used countless times referring to restaurants, people, and, of course, books. Concerning people, the proverbial cliché could not be more true when referring to Bob Hulett. At first blush, Bob, if one were to pass him in the hallway, comes off as a quiet, reserved individual. One might even guess that his life’s work is in some kind of paper pushing, cubical dwelling, monotonically numbing job. If one makes those presumptions, he or she could not have weighed this tome more incorrectly.
So who is Bob Hulett?
Bob Hulett is a man who has found, especially in recent days, it increasingly necessary to become a “jack of many trades.” Over the past decade Bob has experienced a wide spectrum of “jobs,” and the emotions that accompanied each position.
Currently, Bob is putting down roots in the Downingtown, Pennsylvania area. Not too long ago, Bob and his family were “living the good life” in the sunny Cape Coral, Florida area, pasturing a fast growing congregation. When Bob arrived in Florida, the church attendance was above average, when comparing across the fellowship, but there were some serious changes that needed to be made for the congregation to move forward in Christ. The church, at the beginning of Bob’s ministry, was inwardly focused; the congregants were more interested in the experiences of their faith than spreading their faith. Those issues, along with some other serious financial and moral problems within the church, caused Pastor Hulett to take immediate action. As with many leadership and philosophy changes, a number of individuals resisted the change, and took leave of the church; this is a reality true in the church and the marketplace. Undaunted, Bob began to rebuild the church from the inside out; he fired the staff that needed fired, and hired those that needed hired. Bob also realized that the church, even though people were “experiencing,” individuals were not growing as healthy Christians.
Bob describes himself as a “Methodist” living out a “Pentecostal” life. He says that he thinks very “Methodically” about the church, and he loves systems. It was with this mindset that Bob approached the lack of spiritual growth in Florida. Bob and his staff realized the necessity for a traceable system of development in their congregation. One should be able to see the “signs” of a healthy developing Christian, and this became the framework for the “method.” Obediently following God’s call, seeking God’s will, and boldly leading the church, the Cape Coral congregation began to flourish.
Perhaps one of the most powerful changes Bob implemented was both action and philosophical in nature. Bob believed, and still believes, that the surrounding community is an immediate mission field. The church began to become an important piece of the surrounding area. This was accomplished not only through big outreach “events,” but also through supplying the public school teachers with supplies, scholarships for graduating seniors, and coaching sports teams.
No longer residing in Florida, Bob and his family are in a new chapter in life. 1600 miles, a handful of life experience and God’s divine leading has landed Bob Hulett in southeast Pennsylvania. Although he is in a new location, Bob did not forget to bring the innovation and work ethic that served him well along with him. On November 14, 2010, Bridge Community Church will launch under Bob Hulett’s leadership. Bridge Community, a church plant, will no doubt be a church like none other. Community outreach and cooperation are already part of the master plan; an example of connecting with the community is a continuation of the teacher supplies ministry and the possibility of a “drop and shop” center for parents to drop-off their children in a safe location while shopping in the area. The need for a strong discipleship structure is viewed as a necessary element for this new congregation; people will know, because they will see the growth in Christ. One change that has spawned from Bob’s experiences is his necessity to “hire to [his] weaknesses.” Bob says that in the past, he hired people he liked, or were at least like him; now Bob realizes he needs to surround himself with individuals that are “good at the things he is not.”
Talking with Bob Hulett is an interesting experience; this seemingly calm man becomes quite animated and excitable when talking about the passions of his heart. He is passionate for Jesus Christ, he is passionate in reaching his community for Jesus Christ, and he is passionate for Bridge Community Church. Bob believes it is imperative for churches to meet a need in the community, and he asks this question: “If your church were to close tomorrow and leave, would the community even notice?”
For Bob Hulett, church planting is not just “planting in a community”, it is planting a church “for” community.
So who is Bob Hulett?
Bob Hulett is a man who has found, especially in recent days, it increasingly necessary to become a “jack of many trades.” Over the past decade Bob has experienced a wide spectrum of “jobs,” and the emotions that accompanied each position.
Currently, Bob is putting down roots in the Downingtown, Pennsylvania area. Not too long ago, Bob and his family were “living the good life” in the sunny Cape Coral, Florida area, pasturing a fast growing congregation. When Bob arrived in Florida, the church attendance was above average, when comparing across the fellowship, but there were some serious changes that needed to be made for the congregation to move forward in Christ. The church, at the beginning of Bob’s ministry, was inwardly focused; the congregants were more interested in the experiences of their faith than spreading their faith. Those issues, along with some other serious financial and moral problems within the church, caused Pastor Hulett to take immediate action. As with many leadership and philosophy changes, a number of individuals resisted the change, and took leave of the church; this is a reality true in the church and the marketplace. Undaunted, Bob began to rebuild the church from the inside out; he fired the staff that needed fired, and hired those that needed hired. Bob also realized that the church, even though people were “experiencing,” individuals were not growing as healthy Christians.
Bob describes himself as a “Methodist” living out a “Pentecostal” life. He says that he thinks very “Methodically” about the church, and he loves systems. It was with this mindset that Bob approached the lack of spiritual growth in Florida. Bob and his staff realized the necessity for a traceable system of development in their congregation. One should be able to see the “signs” of a healthy developing Christian, and this became the framework for the “method.” Obediently following God’s call, seeking God’s will, and boldly leading the church, the Cape Coral congregation began to flourish.
Perhaps one of the most powerful changes Bob implemented was both action and philosophical in nature. Bob believed, and still believes, that the surrounding community is an immediate mission field. The church began to become an important piece of the surrounding area. This was accomplished not only through big outreach “events,” but also through supplying the public school teachers with supplies, scholarships for graduating seniors, and coaching sports teams.
No longer residing in Florida, Bob and his family are in a new chapter in life. 1600 miles, a handful of life experience and God’s divine leading has landed Bob Hulett in southeast Pennsylvania. Although he is in a new location, Bob did not forget to bring the innovation and work ethic that served him well along with him. On November 14, 2010, Bridge Community Church will launch under Bob Hulett’s leadership. Bridge Community, a church plant, will no doubt be a church like none other. Community outreach and cooperation are already part of the master plan; an example of connecting with the community is a continuation of the teacher supplies ministry and the possibility of a “drop and shop” center for parents to drop-off their children in a safe location while shopping in the area. The need for a strong discipleship structure is viewed as a necessary element for this new congregation; people will know, because they will see the growth in Christ. One change that has spawned from Bob’s experiences is his necessity to “hire to [his] weaknesses.” Bob says that in the past, he hired people he liked, or were at least like him; now Bob realizes he needs to surround himself with individuals that are “good at the things he is not.”
Talking with Bob Hulett is an interesting experience; this seemingly calm man becomes quite animated and excitable when talking about the passions of his heart. He is passionate for Jesus Christ, he is passionate in reaching his community for Jesus Christ, and he is passionate for Bridge Community Church. Bob believes it is imperative for churches to meet a need in the community, and he asks this question: “If your church were to close tomorrow and leave, would the community even notice?”
For Bob Hulett, church planting is not just “planting in a community”, it is planting a church “for” community.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Christianity: A Raw Deal
Growing up in an environment where questioning was viewed as rebellious and faithless, young Daniel found himself living more alone than many of his youthful counterparts growing up in Texas of the 1970’s. As if being the son of a preacher were not enough of a challenge, Daniel and his family found themselves coping with an undiagnosed matriarch struggling with a mental imbalance. This element in the home, and church, gave yield to a cyclic effect consisting of tentative stability to instability to mass departure. Daniel consistently found himself confronted with a situation where, although his parents were faithful, God seemed indifferent to his mother’s restoration.
The religious environment where Daniel should have been able to process his life brought additional obstacles to his faith. Daniel found it difficult to sort out the inconsistencies on display. Individuals, who blatantly lived lives different from what the Bible calls for, seemed to be used by God in mighty ways, leading others to the Lord. Searching for answers, Daniel approached an individual, one whom he looked to for guidance, only to be questioned and discouraged for his display of faithlessness. Daniel left that encounter “agnostic” and convinced Christianity was a raw deal.
Searching for meaning, Daniel poured himself into, what many young people do, sports. It was here that Daniel found and fostered his natural work ethic in basketball. Through hard work and perseverance, practicing for hours (500 – 1000 shots/day), Daniel exceeded greatly in high school basketball. Despite the team and personal successes, Daniel found himself slipping into depression and asking himself “Is this all there is?” Driven to find meaning, Daniel gave himself, and God, an ultimatum: Either find God in 2 months, or end it all (suicide)!
For two months, Daniel McNaughton, the son of a pastor, looked for God, and could not find Him; no one could/would show him God. On the last night of his two-month journey, after fighting with his older brother, alone, under a starlit night, Daniel found God.
That suicidal teenager from Texas, who gave his life to Christ, went on to graduate from high school, Evangel University, Gordon-Conwell, and earned his doctoral degree from the University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Today, along with teaching and pastor-ing a church, Daniel is working on “the one thing Christ told his disciples to do”; that one thing is ‘disciple people.’ Daniel points out that in Matthew 28 Jesus’ last words, last commands to the disciples is: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (NASU).
“In the Greek, the only command is ‘make disciples’; everything else is ‘while you are doing that.’”
When Daniel understood that Jesus did not give us a bunch of things to do, he decided he needed to be busy with just that one thing…but what is a disciple…how do you become one…how do you ‘make’ one? These questions, and many more, sent Dr. McNaughton on a journey of discovery. Although he found much success in the church in constructing ‘systems’ for Christian education, Daniel soon realized that “sitting in classes was not imparting life.” Too many people were “coming to Christ” and then leaving. If Jesus Christ is the answer to life’s dilemmas, why were people not hanging on to it? Why did that young boy from Texas continue to ask questions? Daniel realized that true discipleship is key to healthy Christian growth, and true discipleship happens in real life, often in real messy life.
Daniel’s journey finally led him to write a book ( http://www.learningtofollow.net/ ) on the subject. This book is perhaps as practical as it can be. The attempt was made to strip the ‘Christian-ese’ out of the book, making it ‘new’ believer (even non-believer) readable. Daniel stresses the book is not intended, though many want it to be, for group disciple making, but rather, it is designed to be used in a coaching type relationship. This is an up close and personal approach to helping one along in his or her faith. Daniel admits this can get messy, but this is the one thing Jesus told His disciples to do. “If before I left the house I had told my children to do just one thing while I was gone, you better believe I would expect that to be done when I got back.”
Daniel, early on in his life, was modeled a Christianity that did more to drive him away than bring him close; Christianity really was a raw deal. Today, Daniel is making strides, attempting to change the face of Christianity back to what Christ intended. The discipleship path is not an easy road; it is not done well in mass marketing or classroom settings. The discipleship model being developed by Dr. McNaughton calls for a face-to-face level of accountability where one’s junk is dragged to the foot of the cross and the messy, raw parts of life are dealt with. One could say that Daniel McNaughton is in the process of redefining the raw deal of Christianity.
The religious environment where Daniel should have been able to process his life brought additional obstacles to his faith. Daniel found it difficult to sort out the inconsistencies on display. Individuals, who blatantly lived lives different from what the Bible calls for, seemed to be used by God in mighty ways, leading others to the Lord. Searching for answers, Daniel approached an individual, one whom he looked to for guidance, only to be questioned and discouraged for his display of faithlessness. Daniel left that encounter “agnostic” and convinced Christianity was a raw deal.
Searching for meaning, Daniel poured himself into, what many young people do, sports. It was here that Daniel found and fostered his natural work ethic in basketball. Through hard work and perseverance, practicing for hours (500 – 1000 shots/day), Daniel exceeded greatly in high school basketball. Despite the team and personal successes, Daniel found himself slipping into depression and asking himself “Is this all there is?” Driven to find meaning, Daniel gave himself, and God, an ultimatum: Either find God in 2 months, or end it all (suicide)!
For two months, Daniel McNaughton, the son of a pastor, looked for God, and could not find Him; no one could/would show him God. On the last night of his two-month journey, after fighting with his older brother, alone, under a starlit night, Daniel found God.
That suicidal teenager from Texas, who gave his life to Christ, went on to graduate from high school, Evangel University, Gordon-Conwell, and earned his doctoral degree from the University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Today, along with teaching and pastor-ing a church, Daniel is working on “the one thing Christ told his disciples to do”; that one thing is ‘disciple people.’ Daniel points out that in Matthew 28 Jesus’ last words, last commands to the disciples is: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (NASU).
“In the Greek, the only command is ‘make disciples’; everything else is ‘while you are doing that.’”
When Daniel understood that Jesus did not give us a bunch of things to do, he decided he needed to be busy with just that one thing…but what is a disciple…how do you become one…how do you ‘make’ one? These questions, and many more, sent Dr. McNaughton on a journey of discovery. Although he found much success in the church in constructing ‘systems’ for Christian education, Daniel soon realized that “sitting in classes was not imparting life.” Too many people were “coming to Christ” and then leaving. If Jesus Christ is the answer to life’s dilemmas, why were people not hanging on to it? Why did that young boy from Texas continue to ask questions? Daniel realized that true discipleship is key to healthy Christian growth, and true discipleship happens in real life, often in real messy life.
Daniel’s journey finally led him to write a book ( http://www.learningtofollow.net/ ) on the subject. This book is perhaps as practical as it can be. The attempt was made to strip the ‘Christian-ese’ out of the book, making it ‘new’ believer (even non-believer) readable. Daniel stresses the book is not intended, though many want it to be, for group disciple making, but rather, it is designed to be used in a coaching type relationship. This is an up close and personal approach to helping one along in his or her faith. Daniel admits this can get messy, but this is the one thing Jesus told His disciples to do. “If before I left the house I had told my children to do just one thing while I was gone, you better believe I would expect that to be done when I got back.”
Daniel, early on in his life, was modeled a Christianity that did more to drive him away than bring him close; Christianity really was a raw deal. Today, Daniel is making strides, attempting to change the face of Christianity back to what Christ intended. The discipleship path is not an easy road; it is not done well in mass marketing or classroom settings. The discipleship model being developed by Dr. McNaughton calls for a face-to-face level of accountability where one’s junk is dragged to the foot of the cross and the messy, raw parts of life are dealt with. One could say that Daniel McNaughton is in the process of redefining the raw deal of Christianity.
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