Life

I love life. I just needed to tell you all that. I find it interesting that we humans seem to be on a quest to figure everything out about life. Scientists have made huge strides over the years to explain to us why things are the way they are. When its all said and done, and I read my kids Science books, I kinda chuckle to myself. I can't help but say in my head, "Yeah, but it's more than that." Explaining breathing and how it works....that may be.....but God breathed into man and gave him life. Explain child birth to me as many times as you want and I'll still tell you its more than that. Life holds a lot of awe, beauty, and mystery to it. We lose sight of that on the quest for knowledge and understanding.

The spirtual life is no different. The same human thirst for knowledge and understanding exists. To obtain my ordaination I read many books that explain the spiritaul life in a Weslyan point of view. Don't get me wrong, these are of some value, but I am left with the same thought in my head, "Yeah, but it's more than that." I can explain salvation, justification, regeneration, and list the spiritual disciplines, but its more than that. Explaining salvation falls way short of when I experienced it in my life. The Bible is packed full of spiritual truths that are given to us in the form of a historical account of man's jurney with God. We error when we reduce the Bible to something that needs to be figured out and learned. Let the truths in it guide you on this incredible journey called life.

This may seem off the track of "Simple Church" but it really isn't. I would like you all to respond to the following:

1. What makes your spiritual life really come alive?
2. What events, people, sermons, practices, or whatever from your past had the biggest impact on your spiritual life?
3. What do you wish you had more opportunity to do in your spiritual life?

Defining our process, but realizing its limitations

Our focus right now is on the formation of a process, a framework, a guide, that will aid people in their discipleship journey. After defining the key elements of a disciple, the New Heart process/guide should provide opportunities for everyone to experience and grow in them. Some of you have given some thought as to what a disciple is. Now we must transition into what programs/ministries/opportunities should New Heart offer to help people in their journey of a disciple. The book has stressed the need to keep it simple. I want to offer a couple more things to consider:

Define for me the steps someone would take to fall in love. A young lady comes to you and says she thinks its time to settle down, and she wants to fall in love. She wants step by step instructions from you how to do it. Go ahead, take a few minutes and jot some notes. Can you do it? Is this even possible? This is important for us to remember. We are not trying to create robots. We can not engineer a system that will create disciples. At its best, New Heart can provide opportunities that will aid people in their journey.

Taking the example another step further, what is step one in falling in love? What is step two? How many steps are there? Must they be completed in order? Once again, I think you see our limitations.

We, being human, want so bad to have understanding. We want to label things so we know where they fit. I know many want to use business terminology, and transfer ways that get results. The truth is the spiritual life is not a business, and many things do not transfer. We can use business ideas to help the organization run smooth, have good lines of communication, clarity and focus,...but the spiritual journey is not an exact science. There is no formula, other than including Jesus in it. Where he takes each of us is the awe, mystery, and beauty of it.

Now, even with its limits, a guide needs to be established. We need a framework to help us best use our resources of time, money, and energy. With all the great ideas out there, and more to come, we must have a way of knowing if New Heart can, or should, offer it.

1. So, considering the key elements in the journey of a disciple, what opportunities should our process/guide include? (Think to the specifics the book offered)

2. What should it not include?

"Simple Church" Discussion (Getting started...)

New Heart is almost three years old now. We have, by design, stayed quite simple in look and process. Our "offerings" are limited, and "programs available" are minimal. This is in large part due to the fact that New Heart was formed around a thought of what not to be, more than what to be. There is no issue when there is no choice but start slow and simple with limited resources. Now that we have lived it for a few years we are beginning to uncover what we are "to be".

The book "Simple Church" has come along at a great time. The book stresses the importance of having a process for making disciples. Where it really connects with New Heart is that it promotes keeping the process simple. I believe forming this framework, or process, is just what we need at this place and time. Many opportunities, great ideas, and possible ministries will come our way. We have to have a way of knowing if and where this fits New Heart.

Thanks for taking time to read "Simple Church". I would like to start some dialog with a few "getting started" questions. I believe you should be able to post your comments, answers, or questions here.

1. The book focuses on a disciple making process. We need to have a working definition, or common view, of what a disciple is or looks like. So, what is a disciple? What does one look like?

2. Based on your thoughts of a disciple, what does New Heart currently do that helps someone become a disciple, or strengthen their discipleship journey?

3. Based on your thoughts of a disciple, what does New Heart currently lack in helping someone become a disciple, or strengthen their discipleship journey?