check this out

i got this from ben overby's blog. its really, really good. it talks about the way i view the church should be. we never, ever, ever get things right the first time (except for beginner's luck) and yet we are afraid to try because we may fail. i can say this to you because i am the world's worst at this. i feel that if i can't do it right then i best not even try. read this quote from ben:

A big part of what our churches ought to be about is forming Christ-followers into God-glorifying humans. Unfortunately our method has to do primarily with talking, giving instruction, assigning a few passages, or passing out a book. Whereas Aristotle had a school out of which he shared his philosophy, Jesus called men to follow Him, to become His disciples, to be with Him in order to become like Him. The school of Jesus was dynamic, interactive; it involved instruction, modeling, questions and answers, hands-on demonstrations, critiques, an expectation that the students would miss the point and make mistakes, correctives in the form of tough rebukes or encouraging words and forgiveness.

We visited Tennessee over the weekend. Our youngest son bought a tie that he intends to wear to church as soon as possible (it's a University of Tennessee tie--it's a good week to be a UT fan). Not knowing how to tie the thing, he asked me for a bit of coaching yesterday. I happened to be busy at the time and mumbled a few instructions. Tying a tie is really a simple feat. However, like tying shoes, it's not the sort of thing you learn by hearing instructions. Finally, I quit what I was doing, hung the tie around his neck, and showed him what I meant. He did what I did, making all sorts of mistakes, getting more instruction and modeling, until he understood the process. Then he went to a mirror and practiced over and over again until he'd tied the perfect knot.

It's much easier for any of us to learn anything if we're given a hands-on example. When I was in business, the best salesman I ever had needed to be trained, he needed to be shown how to sell the product. I began his training (like everyone else) by talking but progressed quickly to showing/modeling. I wanted him to have confidence when he actually stood before a customer and represented the business. The final phase of his training came when he actually engaged with his first few customers, trying out what we'd talked about, using some of the things I'd shown him, made plenty of mistakes, made necessary adjustments, and developed his own particular style.

Tying ties and selling products may not be as complicated as brain surgery, but both are learned the same way. We act as listening, learning apprentices, then under careful guidance we slowly take over, making mistakes, correcting our errors, until finally we are masters.

What's true of doctors and salesmen, a 13-year-old learning to tie a knot and an auto mechanic in training, a dog trainer or a florists, is true of Christianity. Christianity (which ought to mean authentic humanness) requires learning to be like Christ. A big part of what our churches ought to be about is forming Christ-followers into God-glorifying humans. Unfortunately our method has to do primarily with talking, giving instruction, assigning a few passages, or passing out a book. Whereas Aristotle had a school out of which he shared his philosophy, Jesus called men to follow Him, to become His disciples, to be with Him in order to become like Him. The school of Jesus was dynamic, interactive; it involved instruction, modeling, questions and answers, hands-on demonstrations, critiques, an expectation that the students would miss the point and make mistakes, correctives in the form of tough rebukes or encouraging words and forgiveness. Christ was reshaping humanity into His own image, and He did so not by merely sending a book, or opening up a three-year institution of higher learning, but by being the Master to a handful of unimpressive and unlikely apprentices.

Alex sought my advice on his tie because he knew I could tie a tie. We desperately need to be living Christ-centered, Christ-shaped lives so that as light we are sought by those who are in need. When the world sees true humanity, some will approach and say, "Can you show me how to deal with worry the way you do?" or "I'm confused and hurting and want to know how it is that you're so much at peace and full of joy regardless of the situation," or "I'm losing my wife--can you help?" The questions might come from the person in the office next door or the pew in front of us. When the question comes we are given a window of opportunity to enter into a relationship with someone who needs discipleship (whether they know it or not). At some point we have to just quit some of the other stuff in our lives so that we can respond, hang the tie around the neck of the one with the questions, and say, "Here's what I mean. Let me show you step by step." We all need instruction, but instruction must include not only the exchange of facts in a auditorium but more practical, hands-on modeling. If we're going to be effective in a world with too few master teachers, it is a must that we follow Jesus in scripture, continuing in His word so that we can become his disciples; that is, doing the things He says, trying His teaching out, making mistakes, being limber enough to receive correction from His Spirit, all as we grow into His likeness slowly but surely.

As an example, hear Jesus' instruction regarding anger, or lust, or retaliation as given in Matthew 5. Prayerfully listen to what He has to say. Memorize some of His words. Get your system soaked in His instruction. Next, watch how He handles Himself in those situations that might typically manifest broken humanness in the form of contempt, using the opposite sex for personal gratification, or resisting any form of vulnerability--e.g., always getting the last punch in. Finally, after hearing Him, prayerfully watching Him through scripture, go out and try what He says; that is, train to be like Him. We will make mistakes along the way. Don't hate your mistakes to the point that they cause you to come undone. Going the wrong way often becomes the catalyst, the experience we need to finally go the right way (remember Peter?). Jesus' school is still dynamic, interactive, inviting our toughest questions, and producing authentic humans. All that remains for us is to decide whether or not we are going to take Him seriously.

Ben