I just finished the 6 hours worth of teaching & training with AYALI’s 4 students. almost all of the material I used was from Send Me! (a preparatory global mission workbook) Somehow, this “missional vision” I believe God has planted stronger in me these days causes me to see things from a “missionary” lens. And the material here helps one to work through that step by step.
I’m impressed by not only the quality of leadership potential in four of them, but definately encouraged by the quest for authentic discipleship in all of them. My favorite part of this course is to listen and look at their personal timelines, catch a glimpse of their personal mission statement (which includes biblical purpose, values and personal vision.) And the Question & Comments time sharpened our understanding of those presenting and the presenters own understanding I believe. The Focus (or RE-focusing!) was what i hoped to achieve … and in some degree I believe that process has begun. Terry Walling’s stuff at Revitalization/Refocusing Ministry has been a great help!
Deep down I pray that a focused personal discipleship will be at the heart of their development in leadership & ministry. Thus, I end with words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. It remains an abstract idea, a myth which has a place for the Fatherhood of God, but omits Christ as the living Son. … There is trust in God, but no following of Christ.”
… and one from Alice Cooper (yes! weird but he makes sense here at least!)
“Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy. But being a Christian, that’s a tough call. That’s rebellion.”