Emulating the "mind of Christ" |
Jan 19, 2010 |
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ" Philippians 2:5
How do we emulate the "mind of Christ"? In a paper I recently read (which I mentioned in a recent post) entitled Wesley's Prescription for Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Insights for the 21st Century Church, the author Randy Maddox shares this insight about how Wesley thought about having a "mind of Christ": that it's "not unilaterally infused by God at one's conversion. Neither does it emerge effortlessly over time, or manifest itself spontaneously whenever it is needed. It must be cultivated, as part of the intentional process of growing in Christ-likeness."
Wow - sounds like the kind of discipleship we talk about in Transformational Giving (TG)!
One of the principles taught under TG addresses this idea of development being an intentional process of growing a champion to maturity in a biblical cause. Maturity certainly doesn't happen after attending one event or participating in a project or two! In fact, we would say development is less about asking for money and more about comprehensively coaching a champion to own a cause (don't take this to mean you shouldn't ask or talk about giving - it's part of the coaching process and giving will happen as a result of their growing commitment to the cause).
Mind you, this coaching isn't just about getting people to do things for us and our organization so that WE can do our work more effectively. Instead it's about challenging champions progressively over time to grow in their understanding and involvement with the cause. And through your encouragement, and the help of the Holy Spirit, their growth should ultimately lead to growth in their faith and transformation of their minds to be more "of Christ".
So, my question for you is, within your ministry, what is the intentional process over time that equips your champions, educates them and provides experiences so that they become mature in the cause and grow in their faith? What is it that takes them from being a newly formed convert to a mature advocate for the cause?
These are questions we should all be asking ourselves. To be a practitioner of TG means we know the answers to these questions because ultimately what's most important in the development work we're doing is that the champions God has brought to us are growing in their faith as they mature in the cause. May we all grow to have the "mind of Christ" in the work that we do.
Jan 25, 2010 at 11:48 AM Thank you for your thoughtful and well presented ideas and question.
We have been struggling with this question. Icthus is an international ministry in Latin America which helps churches increase their ministry to childrne and youth.
Last night a team of four Icthus champions returned from a Vision Trip to Costa Rica. The purpose was for them to see what the Lord is doing in CR through churches that have Icthus groups. I think this is one of our very best ways of helping champions grow. They all returned with great stories and experiences. A common sentiment is that now they really understand the ministry and love it. One woman said now I can share it with others.
I am encouraging the group to each shar their trip stories in their network of people and invite them to join Icthus too. I am praying that each will step up to higher levels of involvement. Also, peparing to make a short DVD that will capture their experience and passion. I want to share this with others and put together more vision trips.
I'd be interested in other experiences and ways to build on Vision Trips or hands-on experience in foreign mission.
Blessings to you,
Don
Feb 25, 2010 at 9:33 PM Hi Don - I have to apologize that I didn't see your comment until just recently (technical bug that has now been worked out!) How you're encouraging your champions who went to CR to share their experiences afterward is great.
To take this a step further I'd add a dimension of equipping - meaning figuring how to help/teach them to do this (and this should actually start happening PRIOR to the trip). It may be keeping a journal that they can pull stories out of to share (maybe you have a mini workshop "how to shape your story" with the idea they can then take that story to their church or another venue), or have them fill out a post-trip questionnaire to help them digest/shape their thinking then write a plan out for how they can share their learnings and with whom, or it might be you providing the opportunity afterward to share their story like training new people going on the next trip. Your DVD idea certainly is a good one to help them talk about their experience and I'd be sure to provide a copy to those who participate so that they can share it with their sphere of influence (maybe even in a house party setting).
May God provide wisdom and strengthen you in all your efforts!