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Excerpts: Introduction & Appendix

(not for reprint)

Spiritual

WAYPOINTS Helping Others Navigate The Journey

©byBobWhitesel

WithInterviewsandPersonalStoriesfrom…TonyCampolo

ShaneClaiborneBilCornelius

MikeFranzeseTimKeel

DanKimballScotMcKnight

SallyMorgenthalerLarryOsborneRichardPeace

RonSiderMikeSlaughter

LenSweetAlTizon

StanTolerandLaurenWinner


Acknowledgements

“Anyonewhosetshimselfupas‘religious’bytalkingagoodgameisself-deceived.Thiskindofreligionishotairandonlyhotair.Realreligion,thekindthatpassesmusterbeforeGodtheFather,isthis:Reachouttothehomelessandlovelessintheirplight,andguardagainstcorruptionfromthegodlessworld.”

-James1:26-27(TheMessage)

To my friendsforcandidlysharingpersonalstoriesaboutyourspiritualjourneys.Thewaypointsyouhaveexperiencedhaveilluminatedtheroadforothers.

To my colleaguesatWesleySeminaryatIndianaWesleyanUniversity,

FullerTheologicalSeminaryandtheGreatCommissionResearch.netforyourassistanceinchartingthejourney.SpecialthankstoPresidentHenrySmith,DeanJimFuller,DeanKenSchenck,RussGunsalus,ChipArn,GaryMcIntosh,EdStetzer,RyanBolger,EddieGibbs,ElmerTowns,KeithDruryandBobLogan.

To the teamatTheWesleyanPublishingHouse,foryourdedicationto

accuratelyandcompletelychartingthejourneyinthisbookanditscompanionvolume:Waypoints:NavigatingYourSpiritualJourney(2010).AheartfeltthankyoutoDonCady,CraigBubeck,LarryWilsonandJoeJackson. To my wonderful wife Rebecca and our growing familyofBreanna,Mark,Cate,Kelly,Tory,Corrie,Dave,AshleyandC.J..Yourlove,supportandfellowshiponthejourneyhasmadeallchallengesandobstaclesworththeeffort.

And most of all to my Lord Jesus.ThelightofYourwordscorrectmycourseandilluminatemypath.


Contents Introduction: Waypoints, GPS and Geo-caching ## Foreword: Two Complementary Books and The Waypoints Course ##

Chapter A: Evangelistic Nearsightedness ##

Chapter B: The Power of Waypoints ##

Figure 1: Engel’s Stages of Spiritual Decision ## Figure 2: Clinton’s Six Phases of Leadership Development ## Figure 3: Engel’s Stages and Clinton’s Phases Compared ## Figure 4: WHITESEL’S WAYPOINTS ##

Waypoint:

16 No Awareness of a Supreme Being ##

ACTION 16.1: Release Your Organic Intellectuals ## ACTION 16.2: The A, B, C & D of Social Modeling ## INTERVIEW: Richard Peace ##

15 Awareness of a Supreme Being, No knowledge of the Good News ##

ACTION 15:1: Research Needs ## ACTION 15:2: Design Your Ministry from the Bottom Up ## ACTION 15:3: Connect Your Ministry to the Community ## ACTION 15:4: Evaluate the Results ## INTERVIEW: Mike Slaughter ##

14 Initial Awareness of the Good News ##

ACTION 14:1: News You Can’t Ignore ## ACTION 14:2: The Good News That God Cares ## INTERVIEW: Ron Sider ##

13 AwarenessoftheFundamentalsoftheGoodNews ##

ACTION13.1:WeJourneyWithThem,AndTheyWithUs ##ACTION13.2:TranslatetheGoodNews ##INTERVIEW:DanKimball ##

12 PersonalRelevanceoftheGoodNews ##

ACTION12.1;UnderstandaPost-ChristianWorldview ## ACTION12.2;DiscussthePost-Christian&BiblicalWorldview ##ACTION12.3;ExplaintheRelevanceoftheBiblicalWorldview ## INTERVIEW: LaurenWinner ##

11 PositiveAttitudeTowardLivingtheGoodNews ##


ACTION11.1;EmpowerStrengths ## ACTION12.2;OffsetWeaknesses ##ACTION12.3;CapitalizeonOpportunities ##ACTION12.4;OvercomeThreats ##INTERVIEW:MikeFranzese ##

10 PersonalProblemRecognition ##

ACTION10.1:GoodNewsFromFellowTravelers ##ACTION10.2:ThreeLanternstoIlluminatetheRoute ##INTERVIEW:AlTizon ##

9 DecisiontoAct ##

ACTION9.1:UnderstandtheTrekker’sFeelings ##ACTION9.2:TheGap,theOnlyBridgeandtheDecision ##INTERVIEW: ShaneClaiborne ##

8 RepentanceandFaithinChrist ##

ACTION8.1;EmbracetheSupernatural ## ACTION8.2;AuthenticityandRelevance ## ACTION8.2;Fallen,Imprisoned&theUltimateSolution ## INTERVIEW: BobWhitesel ##

7 New Birth ##

ACTION7.1:HelpingThoseWrestlingwithRepentance ## ACTION7.2:HelpingThoseWrestlingwithFaith ## ACTION7.3;HelpingThoseWrestlingwithConversion ## ACTION7.4:ConversionIsaMysticalMatrixofForces ## INTERVIEW: ScotMcKnight ##

6 Post-decisionEvaluation ##

INTERVIEW:LenSweet ##ACTION6.1:TheCostofDiscipleship ##ACTION6.2:TheRewardofDiscipleship ##ACTION6.3:TheRouteisDifficult,ButThereisHelp ##ACTION6.4:TheTravelerMustSiftToo ##ACTION6.4:Prayer,PrayerandMorePrayer ##

5 IntegrationWiththeBodyofChrist ##

ACTION5.1:DialogueThatConnectsTraveler&Community ## ACTION5.2:ThePurposesandConnectionsofCommunity ##ACTION5.3:TheImperfectCommunity ##ACTION5.4:TheExcitement,Joy…andModerationofService ##INTERVIEW: TimKeel ##

4 SpiritualFoundations ##


ACTION4.1:ExaminingWhoJesusIs ## ACTION4.2:AFoundationofSpiritualFormation ## ACTION4.3:ASpiritualFoundationisMany-sided ##ACTION4.4:ASpiritualFoundationIsFosteredinSmallGroups##ACTION4.3:ItIncludesSudden&ProgressiveConversion ##INTERVIEW: BilCornelius ##

3 Inner-lifeGrowth ##

ACTION3.1:FosterInformalTraining ##ACTION3.2:FosterFormalTraining ##ACTION3.3:FosterHeartTraining ##INTERVIEW: Stan Toler ##

2 MinistryEmergence ##

ACTION2.1:LearnAboutYourGifts ## ACTION2.2:FindaNeed ## ACTION2.3:TestYourGifts ## ACTION2.4:ExpectConfirmation ## INTERVIEW: SallyMorgenthaler ##

1 ImpactEmergence ##

ACTION1.1:Strategic,Tactical&OperationalTraits ## ACTION1.2:AbilitiesYouEnjoy…andThoseYouDon’t ##ACTION1.3:DevelopingSkills&TeamLeadership ##ACTION1.4:HonestyAboutWeaknesses ##ACTION1.5:RegularEvaluation ##ACTION1.5:CompanionshipfortheJourney ##INTERVIEW: LarryOsborne ##

0 Convergence ##

ACTION0.1:FreeFromGiftsYouDoNotPossess ## ACTION0.2:FreetoGiveYourBest ## INTERVIEW: TonyCampolo ##

Afterword:ArrivalandBackAgain ##


INTRODUCTION:WAYPOINTS,GPSANDGEOCACHING.

U.S.governmentsatelliteshavecreatedaGlobalPositionSystem(GPS)thatallowsusersofhand-heldGPSunitstotracktheirpositionwithin30feet.Inaddition,increasinglysmallerGPSunitsnowallowhikers,bikers,commutersandtouriststoindividuallytracktheirjourneyswithremarkableprecision.

WhenusingaGPSunit,alocationthatatravelerwantstoremembercanbedesignateda“waypoint.”TheGPSunitwillassignapreciselongitudeandlatitudecoordinatetothiswaypoint.Thislocationcanthenbeshared,sothatotherswithGPSunitscanfindtheexactlocationtoo.

Asanavidhiker,Ifindthecapabilitytodesignateandshareawaypointausefulmetaphorformarkingone’sspiritualjourney.Whenapersononaspiritualjourneyencountersaspecialplaceontheirroute,theycandesignateitasawaypointandshareitwithothers.Throughmarkingandsharingspiritualwaypoints,fellowtravelerscansharethejoysaswellasnotethesimilaritiesintheirjourneys.

Inaddition,inthesportof“geocaching,”hikerspostwaypoints(inGPScoordinates)toleadotherinquisitivetrekkerstoahiddenstashor“cache.”Whilethestashmayincludeanycombinationofvaluableandoddparaphernalia,theenjoymentliesintheabilitytofollowwaypointstoatreasure.Insimilarfashion,thewaypointsonourjourneyleadtoacachewhereimmeasurablegoodfortuneawaits.


FOREWORD:

WAYPOINTS: TwoComplementaryBooksInthisbookyouwillencounterthespiritualwaypointsofleadingthinkers

suchasSallyMorgenthaler,TonyCampolo,ShaneClaiborne,DanKimball,LenSweetandothers.And,thereaderwillpersonallyknowmanypeoplewhoareonthisspiritualquest.Tohelpalltravelersnavigatethejourney,Ihavewrittentwocomplementarybooks:

Book1:Spiritual Waypoints:HelpingOthersNavigateTheJourney

• Topic:Thisisthebookyouarereadingwhichintroducesandexplains“SpiritualWaypoints,”andincludesthestoriesofwell-knownleaders.

• Purpose:Writtenforthe“helper”whowantstoassistothertravelers.• Style:Longer,includinganexplorationofeach“waypoint.”

Book2:

Waypoints:NavigatingYourSpiritualJourney.• Topic:Ashortcompanionbooklet.• Purpose:Writtenforthe“seeker”(firsthalf)andthematuringdisciple

(secondhalf).• Style:Aself-helpbook,ithelpstravelersunderstandtheirspiritual

quest.Shorterandinexpensive,itcanbegivenaway

BONUS:THEWAYPOINTSCOURSE

Book2includesascheduleandagendafora17-week“WaypointsCourse”

allowingreaderstojointogetheringroupstosharetheirtravelexperiencesandencouragefellowtrekkers.Churchesandreligiousorganizationshavetoldmethattheywantaweeklycoursethatcanhelptheirleadersbetterunderstandtheirspiritualjourneyandhowtheycanhelpothers.Inaddition,travelersnewtothejourneycantakethiscourseasanintroductiontothebasicsofChristianity..

STARTWITHTHEBOOKYOUAREREADING…

But,ifyouarenewtotheideaof“SpiritualWaypoints”startwiththebookyouarereading.Thisbookisanintroductionandexplanationofeachofthespiritualwaypointsthatliebehind…andahead.BobWhiteselD.Min.,Ph.D.ProfessorofChristianMinistryandMissionalLeadershipWesleySeminaryatIndianaWesleyanUniversitywww.bobwhitesel.comandwww.waypoints-book.com


CHAPTER1:EVANGELISTICNEARSIGHTEDNESS

Lifeseenasajourney,anascent,apilgrimage,aroad,isanideaasoldasmanhimself.OneoftheearliesttitlesforChristiansatthetimeoftheActswas“thepeopleoftheway.”

-EstherdeWaal,authorandCatholictheologianiAsahumanraceweareonajourneyandweneedtoknowtheroad.

-LesslieNewbigin,writerandtheologianii-

“Thechurchworldisdisconnected,incomplete…”ThusbeganthelastconversationIhadwithDoug.HeandIhadmetaspoliticalactivists,beforewebothbecamedisillusionedbyourinabilitytobringaboutpoliticalchange.Assassin’sbulletshadstruckdownourheroes:J.F.K.,MartinLutherKing,Jr.,andBobby.Theresultingdisillusionmenthadbeenspirituallycrushing,anditsaftermathhaddrivenbothofustoanew,moreorganicpurpose…toworkfortheinnertransformationofindividuals…aprocesswebothfeltwouldonlybeachievedbyintroducingourfriendstotheonewhohadtransformedus:JesusChrist. BothDougandIunderwentprofoundchanges.Doughadformerlybeendeepintothedrugculture,whilepoliticalactivismhadbeenmyobsessionofchoice.Yet,bothavenuesseemedineffectivetowardaddressingtheecological,politicalandpolarizationsourgenerationfaced.Indesperationperhaps,wehadturnedtotheworldviewofChrist,whoeventuallywecametoknowasLord.WefoundanewlifeinHiscompassion,solace,perseveranceandtransformativepowerthateradicateddestructivehabitsandhaunts,replacingthemwithanauthenticityforwhichwehadlonged.Inthoseearlyyearsofthe1970sDougandIbecamepassionateaboutthisnewrevolution.And,wehadbeeninseparableasfriends,untiloneday. Doughadannouncedthathewasleavingthechurchwehadbothattended,alargeandfastgrowingcongregationontheedgeoftown.InjustificationDoughuffed,“Theirfocusistoonarrow,andyouknowthat….(You)usetobethemostpassionatepersonIknewforhelpingthehurtingandpoor.Andnowyouoverlookallofthatandjusttalkaboutevangelism.You’vegotevangelisticnearsightedness…You’veleftouthalfthejob…you’retryingtomendtheirsoulsbeforeyou’vemendedtheirlife.” AtthetimeIdismissedDoug’sprotestationsbecausemyheartwasbrokenbythelossofmybestandmoststablefriendship.Doug’slastwordswereevenlessconsidereduntilyearslater,whenmyresearchintohowthechurchmustengageculturebroughtmefull-circle,backtoreconsiderDoug’spainfulcritique.


IneversawDougagain;thoughIdidhearofhisministry.HebecamealayleaderinalocalCatholicparish,andeventuallythedirectorofthecity’shomelessshelter.IadmiredDoug,butIalwayswonderedwhyourfriendshipwassevered.Inaddition,Doug’scriticismthatmychurchworldwas“disconnected,incomplete”churnedinthebackofmymind,untilalmost15yearslaterwhenIbeganinvestigatingwhypeopledonotattendchurch,andfoundthatmanysharedDoug’sviewpoint.

ChartingACourseOutoftheFog Asachurchgrowthconsultant,Iutilizecommunityinterviewstosharpenmyunderstandingofaclient’scommunity.In1991Ibegantoasknon-churchgoersabouttheirviewsonevangelismandsocialaction.Overalmosttwodecades,theirresponseshaveincreasinglymirroredtheconcernsofDoug.IntheseinterviewsIamobservingagrowingcriticismthattheevangelicalchurchisfixatedupontheconversionencounter,andnottheprocessthatleadsuptoit…orfollowsit. Howcouldthishappen?AsaprofessorofchurchleadershipandgrowthIknewthatchurchwritersfrequentlyfocusedupontheneedtoministertothewholeperson,firsttotheirphysicalneedsandthentotheirspiritualneeds.ScholarslikeJ.GreshamMachenhadpainstakinglydescribedhowtheNewTestamentchurchministeredtotheneedy.iiiAndcontemporaryleaderssuchasBillyGrahamtaughtthatwearetotakeregenerationinonehandandacupofcoldwaterintheother.ivDonaldMcGavran,whomanyregardasfatheroftheChurchGrowthMovement,warnedthat“TodaythesinfulnessofthesocialorderoffendsthoughtfulChristianseverywhere….Thegreatinequalitiesofwealthandpovertyamongthehavesandhave-nots,andtherevoltingtreatmentmetedouttooppressedminorities,areclearlycontrarytothewilloftheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist.”vArthurGlasser,DeanoftheFullerSchoolofWorldMissionevenpopularizedtheterms“culturalmandate”and“evangelisticmandate”forthetwinthrustsofChristianengagement.viPeteWagnersuggestedthatchurchgrowthoccurswhenthesetwomandatesare“balanced,”describingtheculturalmandateas“thedistributionofwealth,thebalanceofnature,marriageandthefamily,humangovernment,keepingthepeace,culturalintegrity,liberationoftheoppressed–theseandotherglobalresponsibilitiesrightlyfallwithintheculturalmandate.”viiLewisDrummondupdatedthisidiom,stating“inpostmodernterms,wemightsaythatJesuscametobringequalaccessandopportunitytothoseinsubstandardlivingconditions,togivevoiceandidentitytothoseotherthanthedominantsocialelite,andtoalleviatetheravagesofcapitalisticimperialismandcolonialisteconomicaggression.”viii

LewisDrummondstates“inpostmodernterms,wemightsaythatJesuscametobringequalaccessandopportunitytothoseinsubstandardlivingconditions,togivevoiceandidentitytothoseotherthanthedominantsocialelite,andtoalleviatetheravagesofcapitalisticimperialismandcolonialisteconomicaggression.”


Adecadeearlieronewriterhadwarnedthatseparatingtheculturalandevangelisticmandatescreatedafalsedichotomyfor“trueChristiancompassiondoesnoterectfalsedichotomieswhichseparatebodyandsoul....IfIlovemyneighbor,Iwillwanttoseehimfed,clothed,curedandwelladjusted.Iwillwanttoseealsothatheisnotgoingtohell,doomedtoaneternityseparatedfromGod.”ixTheLausanneCommitteeforWorldEvangelismevendescribedthebalanceofevangelisticandculturalmandatesasanalogousto“therelationshipbetweentwowingsonabirdortwooarsinaboat…beinginseparable.”x Despitetheseaffirmations,myinterviewsandrecollectionshaveledmetobelievethattodaymostchurchessorelylackthisbalance.DonaldKraybillarguesthatthechurchhascreatedan“upsidedownkingdom”uncouplingeconomicfreedomfromspiritualfreedom.xiRonSiderregretsthatmuchofthechurchhassuccumbedto“melodramaticpessimism,”lamentingdeplorableconditionsbutfeelinghelplesstochangethem.xii

Thereisahistoricalexplanationregardinghowthechurchsplitintocampsthateitheremphasizesocialactionorevangelisticaction.Thoughthereasonismultifacetedandbeyondthescopeofthisbook;RogerFinkeandRodneyStarkgiveadetailedoverviewofthisrift,whileWilbertSchenktendersausefulthreepagesummary.xiiiRegardlessofthegenesis,thedivideexists.And,iftheologians,practitionersandobserversagreethatabalanceiswarranted,thenthequestionthisbookaddressesshouldbehowisthatbalanceachieved?IwillsuggestthatthejourneytheGoodNewstravelsandthewaypointsthatmarkthejourneymaybetheproceduralmapthatcanpiercethisfogofpessimism.

BalancingMandatesRequiresBuildingBridges

Irecentlyinvestigatedgrowingchurcheswithleadersprimarilyundertheageof30.Idiscoveredthatoneoftheprimarycharacteristicsofthesechurchesisnotonlyadesiretobalancetheculturalandevangelisticmandates,butalsoasuccessindoingso.xivIdescribedthesechurchesinthebookInsidetheOrganicChurch:Learningfrom12EmergingCongregations.xvEachofthesechurchesweresucceedingatmeetingfirstthephysicalneedsandthenthespiritualneedsoftheircommunities. Forexample,onenewlyplantedSouthernBaptistcongregationmetinthreerentednightclubsaroundPhoenix,Arizona.Attainingacriticalmassofover155attendeestheysetabouttopurchaseofficeandministryspace.Whilemanychurchesinsuchscenarioswouldpurchaseaworshipfacilityinthesuburbs,thiscongregationpurchasedahomelessshelterindowntownPhoenix.Ateachofthethreeweeknightlocations,thepastorremindedtheattendeesthat“thisisnotrealchurch.RealchurchtakesplaceonSundaymorningsatSundayBrunch.”BySundayBrunch,thepastorreferredtoaweeklySundaymorningmealthechurchprovided

“…byleavingtheghettobehind,thechurchhasimpliedthatitsmissionismeaninglesstothepoor,thehopelessandthewretched–exceptwhenanoceanseparatesthechurchfromtheghetto.”DavidMcKenna.


for300+homelesspeople.Forthiscongregation,thiswasrealchurch…aweeklyencounterwhereChristianssatalongsidestrugglingpeople,helpingthemmakeabetterlifeforthemselvesandultimatelyalifechangingencounter.“Wewantpeoplefromthenightclubstoservetheurbanpeople,andthisiswhere‘theservice’takesplace”xviobservedthepastorofTheBridge,AaronNorwood. TheBridgebuildsconnectionstotheneedy,ametaphoratthecenterofDonaldMcGavran’simageryofthe“bridgesofGod.”McGavrannoted,“everyhumansocietyislikeatownononesideofariveroverwhichatconvenientplacesbridgeshavebeenbuilt…peoplenearthebridgesarebetterconnectedthanthosefarfromthem…goodstewardsofthegraceofGodshouldrememberthebridgesandstreamacrossthem.‘Findthebridgesandusethem’…”xvii Buildingbridgestotheneedyisataskthatmanyevangelicalchurchesmustundertakeiftheyaretoreacquaintthemselveswiththeneedsthatcryoutforaculturalmandate.Idonotdisputethatmostchurcheshaveacompassionfortheneedy,butusuallytheyenvisionthisneedassomewhereelseandfarremoved.DavidMcKennawarnsthat,“byleavingtheghettobehind,thechurchhasimpliedthatitsmissionismeaninglesstothepoor,thehopelessandthewretched–exceptwhenanoceanseparatesthechurchfromtheghetto.”xviii

Tocrossevenalocalchasm,bridgebuildingwillbenecessary.Butbridgebuilding,byitsverynature,requiresclearplanningandpatiencetoexecuteit.Aspanisnoterectedovernight,norwithoutcarefullycraftedplans.Andthus,purposefulyetunhurriedplanningandpacearecharacteristicsofallbridgebuilding.

BridgeBuildingRequiresaPlan Ahelpfulmetaphortowarddepictingthisplannedandpurposefulprocess,isthatsuchbridgebuildingcanbethoughtofasajourney.Ajourneyremindsusthatoutreachisabridge-buildingprocess,requiringtime,patience,mappingandperseverance.

SociologistsJamesEngleandWilbertNortondepictedthisjourneyasaprocessesofdeepeningcommunication.Theynotedthatittookplaceovertimewithavarietyofadaptations,stating“JesusandHisfollowers…alwaysbeganwithakeenunderstandoftheaudienceandthenadaptedthemessagetotheotherpersonwithoutcompromisingGod’sWord.Thepatterntheyfollowedisaspertinenttodayaswastwothousandyearsago”xix

RichardPeace,professorofEvangelismandSpiritualFormationatFullerSeminary,lookedcarefullyatthe12disciplesintheNewTestamentandconcludedthatastep-by-stepprocessunfoldsthroughwhichthediscipleseventuallyhaveatransformingexperience.xxPeacecallsthis“processevangelism,”summingup,

“TheTwelvecametofaithovertimeviaaseriesofincidentsandencounterswith,andexperiencesof,Jesus.EachsucheventassistedthemtomovefromtheirinitialassumptionsaboutJesustoaradicallynewunderstandingofwhoheactuallywas.InhisGospel,Markinviteshisreaderstomakethissamepilgrimageofdiscovery.”xxi


EstherdeWall,inTheCelticWayofPrayer:TheRecoveryoftheReligiousImaginationnotesthattheChristianlifehasalwaysbeenviewedasajourney,stating,

“Lifeseenasajourney,anascent,apilgrimage,aroad,isanideaasoldasmanhimself.OneoftheearliesttitlesforChristiansatthetimeoftheActswas“thepeopleoftheway’.WeseetheindividualChristianasapilgrimonearthhavingherenoabidingcity;wespeakoftheChurch,particularlysinceVaticanII,asapilgrimchurch.Butwecannotthinkoflifeasajourneywithoutacceptingthatismustinvolvechangeandgrowth.”xxii

LesslieNewbiginsumsthisupnicely,sayingthat“asahumanraceweareonajourneyandweneedtoknowtheroad.Itisnottruethatallroadsleadtothetopofthesamemountain.Thereareroadswhichleadovertheprecipice.InChristwehavebeenshowntheroad…Godhasgivenustheroutewemustfollowandthegoaltowhichwemustpressforward.”xxiiiThus,thejourneymetaphoraccommodatestheimageryofplanned,deliberateandunfoldingbridge-buildingacrossculturalchasms.

TheHolismofaJourney Ajourneyalsodenotesaflexibleprogressionwithvaryingscenarios,milestones,interruptionsandcoursecorrections.Thejourneymetaphorconjuresuptheimageofstrenuousassents,downhilltraces,varyingimpedimentsandcarefulmapping.Maps,sextants,andmodernGPSdevicesattesttothedesireofatravelertopinpointwheresheorhemaybeontheirjourney.Thus,theuseofthejourneymetaphoraccentuatestheimportanceofunderstandingplaceinrelationtoprocess.WilbertShenkemphasizedthatthe“flaw”withmostthinkingaboutoutreachisthatthe“partsratherthanthewhole”areemphasized.xxiv

Themetaphorofajourneycanhelpovercomethisflaw,byemphasizingthetotalityofthejourney.Inthreeseparatebooks,RyanBolger,xxvEddieGibbs,xxviandthisauthorxxviihavenotedthatyoungergenerationsseekholisticunderstandingsofevangelismthatdonotseparatetheGreatCommission(tomakedisciplesofallpeople)fromtheGreatCommandment(toloveone’sneighborasoneself).GibbsandBolgersuggestthisbeviewedas“differentsidesofthesamecoin”xxviiiwhichisanattractivemetaphorbecauseonlyonesubstanceisinvolved.But,coinimagerysuggeststhatthecoinatsomepointmustbeflippedover,andanewemphasisbegins.Thecoinimageryinthisauthor’smind,unfortunatelyseparatesintotwophasestheinseparableprogressionofacommonandcontinualjourney. AuthorBryanMcLarenappropriatestheterm“story”todescribethisprocess,noting,

Ifyouaskmeaboutthegospel,I’lltellyouaswellasIcan,thestoryofJesus,thestoryleadinguptoJesus,thestoryofwhatJesussaidanddid,thestoryofwhathappenedasaresult,orwhathasbeenhappeningmorerecentlytodayeven.I’llinviteyoutobecomepartofthatstory,challengingyoutochangeyourwholewayofthinking(to


repent)inlightofit,inlightofhim.Yes,I’llwantyoutolearnaboutGod’sgrace,God’sforgiveness,andaboutthegiftofsalvation.”xxix

Thisisamoreattractivemetaphor.Butstill,astoryisstatic,inflexibleandevenwhenmodernized…historicallycaptive.Itcarriesnoneofthedynamic,flexibleandindigenousattributesofthevaryingobstacles,excursions,accompanimentsandprogressionsencounteredonajourney.Thus,theimageryofajourneybetterhighlightscontinuity,commonalityandelasticity.And,ajourneyisoftenacommunalundertaking,andthusthejourneymetaphoraccommodatestheideaofaccompaniment,companionshipandinter-reliance.

AJourneyofBreakingandRefreshingNews

Thetermevangelismismalignedtoday,oftenassociatedwithchurchesthatcoerceorforceconversioninaself-seekingorexploitivemanner.YetJimWallis,editorofSojournMagazine,arguesthataresponsetobadreligion,shouldbebetterreligion.xxxInsimilarfashion,theargumentcouldbemadethatourresponsetobadevangelismshouldbebetterevangelism. Suchdisparagementwasnotalwaysthecase.Thetermevangelismoriginallysignifiedbreakingandrevitalizingnews.EvangelismisanEnglishtranslationoftheGreekworkeuangelion(Matthew24:14),whichdescribedthe“goodnews”thatChristandHisfollowerspersonifiedandpreached.xxxiCustomarilyanoptimisticmessagebroughtbyacourier,euangelionwasacombinationoftheGreekwords“good”(eu)and“messenger”“angel”or“herald”(angelion).Forearlyhearers“toevangelize”or“tobringGoodNews”carriedtheconnotationofgreatresponsibility,fantasticinsightswithmorenewstofollow.AlanRichardsonsays,“forthosewhothusreceiveitthegospelisalways‘new’,breakinginfreshlyuponthemandconvincingthemafresh...”xxxii Becauseevangelismisaprocessofbringingthisrefreshingandbreakingnews,itislogicalthatnotallofthatnewscouldbecommunicatedatonehearing.Becausethenewswebearisbothdeepandbroad,itrequiresajourneyofdialogue.Andaswithanysubject,thisnewsisbestunderstoodwhenthelearningstartswiththebasicsandthemovesintomorecomplexandcomplicatedthemes.

IstheJoyintheTrekking,OrIntheDestination?

SomereadersmaywonderifmerelyheadingoutonthisjourneyofGood

Newsmightbesufficientlyrewarding,feelingthattherecompenseisinthegoing.RobertLewisStevensononcefamouslyintoned,“Itravelnottogoanywhere,buttogo.Itravelfortravel'ssake.Thegreataffairistomove.”xxxiiiWhileatrekbyitselfcan

EvangelismisanEnglishtranslationoftheGreekworkeuangelion(Matthew24:14),whichdescribedthe“goodnews”thatChristandHisfollowerspersonifiedandpreached…Forearlyhearers“toevangelize”or“tobringGoodNews”carriedtheconnotationofgreatresponsibility,fantasticinsightswithmorenewstofollow.


bearewardingexperience,thejourneyofwhichwespeakiscomprised,asDougandIdiscovered,oflifechangingrenovationsandeternaldestinations.Suchconsequenceindicatesthatsimplyenjoyingthejourneyalonganadventuresomerouteisnotsufficient.

JohnStottremindsusthattherearespiritualtriumphsonthisjourneyandtheirimportancedwarfseventheexcitementofthetrek.,writing:

Evangelismrelatestopeople’seternaldestiny,andinbriningthemGoodNewsofsalvation,Christiansaredoingwhatnobodyelsecando.Seldomifevershouldwehavetochoosebetweensatisfyingphysicalhugerandspiritualhunger,orbetweenhealingbodiesandsavingsouls,sinceanauthenticloveforourneighborwillleadustoservehimorherasawholeperson.Nevertheless,ifwemustchoose,thenwehavetosaythatthesupremeandultimateneedofhumankindisthesavinggraceofJesusChrist,andthatthereforeaperson’seternal,spiritualsalvationisofgreaterimportancethanhisorhertemporalandmaterialwellbeing.xxxiv

HowardSnyder,inhisbookTheCommunityoftheKing,agreeswithStott,statingthat,

EvangelismisthefirstpriorityoftheChurch’sministryintheworld(italicsSnyder).Thisistrueforseveralreason:theclearbiblicalmandateforevangelism;thecentralityandnecessityofpersonalconversioninGod’splan;therealityofjudgment;thefactthatchangedpersonsarenecessarytochangesociety;thefactthattheChristiancommunityexistsandexpandsonlyasevangelismiscarriedout.TheChurchthatfailstoevangelizeisbothbiblicallyunfaithfulandstrategicallyshortsighted.xxxv

Wagnercreatesagoodsummation,stating“Whenapersondieswithouthearingthat‘GodsolovedthewordsthathesenthisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievesonhimshouldnotperishbuthaveeternallife(John3:16,RSV),itistoolate.Thebestthingthatcouldpossiblyhappentothatpersonhasbeendenied.”xxxvi

Somerightlyfearthatprioritizingeitheronecanunderminetheother.Concernaboutthiscouldbeareasonfortheevangelicalchurch’snearsightedness.ButSnyderremindsusthat,“anevangelismthatfocusesexclusivelyonsoulsoronanotherworldlytransactionwhichmakesnorealdifferencehereandhowisunfaithfultothegospel.”xxxviiAssuch,boththetrekandit’sdestinationareimportant.

TheImportanceofWaypoints

Whenattemptingtounderstandwhereatravelerisontheirjourneyandwhatobstacleslayahead,theconceptofawaypointprovidesahelpfulmetaphor.AsnotedintheIntroduction,awaypointisaplaceonatrekthatexplainswherethe


travelerisinrelationtotheoverallroute.Assuch,waypointsonthejourneyofevangelismcanhelpthetravelerunderstandtheirlocation,progressanddirection.

Lessflexibletermshaveaboundedtomarkthisjourney.EngleandNortonchosetheconceptofascale.xxxviiiLatertheirpioneeringdiagramwouldbecalled:TheEngleScale.xxxixRobertClintonchosetodepictthejourneyasaseriesofphases.xlEschewingscalesBillyGrahampicturedevangelismassteps.xliGrahamdistilledtheprocessintoaseriesofjustthreesteps,notingthat“studentsofpsychologyhaveagreedthattherearethreestepsinconversion:First,asenseofperplexityanduneasiness;second,aclimaxandturningpoint;and,third,arelaxationmarkedbyrestandjoy.”xlii

Thereisnothinginherentlywrongwithsuchdemarcations,andinfacttheycanexplainingsophisticatedconceptsviasimplemodels.xliiiButtomanypeopletodaytheymayappearmechanicalinflexibleorbiased(towardeithertheculturalorevangelisticmandate).Itmaybethattheveryminimalismofthesemodelsiswhatcloudsthefinerpointsfrombeinginvestigatedorunderstood.

Theproblemmaybethatalloftheseearlierdemarcationsfavoraquicktellingandnotanexpandednarrative.Perhapsduetopostmodernpeoplewhotodayeschewsuchmechanicalprocesses,Ihavefavoredtheimageofastoryorajourney.Ascale,steporphasereducesthisimportantjourneyintoamechanisticprocedure.And,ascale,steporphaseseemssubjecttohumanmanipulation,managementand/orcontrol.Nethercouldbefurtherfromthetruth.ThejourneyisguidedbytheHolySpiritxlivandrepresentsandintersectionofthesupernaturalandthenatural.xlvNoscalecouldeverhopetoencompassnordepictthemanifoldroutes,obstacles,travelcompanionsornewvistasonewillencounteronthatroute.Thus,exactandprecisedepictionofthisprocessisnotonlyimpossible,butitrailsagainstthecreativeSpiritofGodandHisindividualinteractionwitheachofHiscreatures. Therefore,ratherthanfutilelytrytodepictthemechanics,Ihavechosentodescribecommonoccurrencesthatthetravelerwillencounter,whichIwilldesignateaswaypoints.Awaypointisaposition,notaphasenoranfrozenmarker.Ittellswhereatravelerisinrelationtootherfeaturesontheroad.Itgivesanindicationofageneralpositiononarouteorjourney.And,awaypointcanbedifferentforeachtrekker.And,thoughawaypointwillalwaysoccur,becausethepreciserouteofthejourneyvarieseachtime,thewaypointwillappearinadifferentplaceforeachtrekker,i.e.indigenouslyandpersonally

Inaddition,awaypointmaynotbespacedatevenlengths.Rather,thepurposeofawaypointistohelpthetravelerperceivewheretheyareinrelationshiptothebiggerpictureofthejourney.And,waypointsallowthecompanionsthatwillaccompanyatravelertogaugewheretheymayintersectthetraveleronherorhisjourney. MystudentscalltheseWhitesel’sWaypoints,atitlethatdespitemychagrinseemstohavestuck.TheyusethistermasanalternativetoEngle’sScaleor

Thus,exactandprecisedepictionofthisprocessisnotonlyimpossible,butitrailsagainstthecreativeSpiritofGodandHisindividualinteractionwitheachofHiscreatures.


Clinton’sStages.Yetregardlessoftheappellation,thetermwaypointgivesthoseontheroadandtheythataccompanythem,ageneralideaoftheirdirection,position,andmostimportantly…thenextwaypoint.

EarlierDepictionsofThisJourneyAreIncomplete Inthenextchapterweshallinvestigatetwopopularwaystodescribethisjourney.FirstwewilllookatTheEngleScale.Wewillseethatforallofitsattractivenessanddurability,itisweakonit’sdepictionofthediscipleshipthatoccurs. Toaddresstheseweaknesses,wewilllookatRobertClinton’sphasesofleadershipdevelopment.Clinton’sstagesarehelpfulfordescribingtheprocessfromnewChristiantoministryeffectiveness,butlackarobustexplanationofthepre-discipleshipjourney.

Therefore,inthisnextchapterIshallweavetogetherthesetwoimportantdescription,updatethemforacontemporarymilieu,andrenamethemtohelpretentionandnavigation.

NotesforChapter1:iEstherdeWaal,SeekingGod:TheWayofSt.Benedict(Collegeville,MN:LiturgicalPress,2001),69.iiLesslieNewbigin,TheGospelinaPluralisticSociety(GrandRapids,MI:EerdmansPublishing,1989),183.iiiJ.GreshamMachen,TheNewTestament:AnIntroductiontoitsLiteratureandHistory,ed.JohnCook(Edinburgh,UK:BannerofTruthTrust,1976),338-354.ivBillyGraham,PeaceWithGod,TheSecretofHappiness(NewYork:ThomasNelsonPublishers,1953,2000),237.vDonaldA.McGavran,UnderstandingChurchGrowth(GrandRapids:EerdmansPublishing,1970),25.viArthurF.Glasser,“Confession,ChurchGrowth,andAuthenticUnityinMissionaryStrategy,”ProtestantCrosscurrentsinMission,ed.NormaA.Horner(Nashville:AbingdonPress,1968),178-221.viiC.PeterWagner,ChurchGrowthandTheWholeGospel:ABiblicalMandate(NewYork:HarperandRow,1981),13.viiiLewisA.Drummond,ReachingGenerationNext:EffectiveEvangelisminToday’sCulture(GrandRapids,MI:BakerBooks,2002),179.ixC.PeterWagner,FrontiersinMissionaryStrategy,(Chicago:MoodyPress,1971),37.xJohnStott,ed.,EvangelismandSocialResponsibility:AnEvangelicalCommitment(LausanneCommitteeforEvangelismandtheWorldEvangelicalFellowship,1982),23.


xiDonaldB.Kraybill,TheUpside-DownKingdom(Scottdale,PA:HeraldPress,1978,2003).xiiRonaldJ.Sider,RichChristiansinanAgeofHunger:ABiblicalStudy(DownersGrove,IL:Inter-VarsityPress,1977),22.xiiiFormoreontheemergenceofthehistoricaldividebetweensocialandevangelisticactionseeRogerFinkeandRodneyStark’smeticulouslookatchurchgrowthinAmerica,titledTheChurchingofAmerica1776-2000:WinnersandLosersinOurReligiousEconomy(RutgersUniversityPress,2005).ForthereaderseekingamoreconciseoverviewseeWilbertR.Shenk,ChangingFrontiersofMission(Maryknoll,NY:OrbisBooks,2005),22-24.xivBobWhitesel,InsidetheOrganicChurch:Learningfrom12EmergingCongregations(Nashville,TN:AbingdonPress,2006).xvIbid.,xvi-xvii.xviIbid.,37.xviiMcGavran,UnderstandingChurchGrowth,395.xviiiDavidL.McKenna,ed.,TheUrbanCrisis(GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan,1969),138.xixJamesF.EngelandWilbertNorton,What’sGoneWrongWiththeHarvest(GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan,1975),35.xxRichardPeace,ConversionintheNewTestament:PaulandtheTwelve(GrandRapids,MI:WilliamB.EerdmansPublishingCompany,1999).PeaceoffersahelpfulexaminationofMark’saccountofthe12disciplesandtheirconversionaryexperiences.PeacearguesthattheywerenotconvertedwhiletravelingwithJesusasmembersofhisapostolicband,butthatMark’sGospelisorganizedinparttounderscorethat“werebroughtstep-by-steptotheexperienceofrepentanceandfaith,”12.xxiIbid.309.xxiiEstherdeWaal,SeekingGod,69.xxiiiLesslieNewbigin,TheGospelinaPluralisticSociety(GrandRapids,MI:EerdmansPublishing,1989),183.xxivWilbertShenk,ChangingFrontiersofMission,28.xxvEddieGibbsandRyanBolger,EmergingChurches:CreatingChristianCommunityinPostmodernCultures(GrandRapids,MI;BakerAcademic,2005),149.xxviEddieGibbs,ChurchNext:QuantumChangesinHowWeDoMinistry(DownersGrove,Ill.:InterVarsityPress,2000),22-27.xxviiBobWhitesel,InsidetheOrganicChurch,xvi-xvii.xxviiiGibbsandBolger,EmergingChurches,149.xxixBrianMcLaren,TheMethod,theMessage,andtheOngoingStory,”inLeonardSweet,ed.,TheChurchinEmergingCulture:FivePerspectives(GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan,2003),214-215.ForacritiqueofMcLaren’sperspectiveseeMartinDownes,“Entrapment:TheEmergingChurchConversationandtheCulturalCaptivityoftheGospel,”inReformingorConforming:Post-ConservativeEvangelicalsandtheEmergingChurch,ed.sGaryL.W.JohnsonandRonaldN.Gleason(Wheaton,IL:CrosswayBooks,2008),224-243.


xxxJimWallis,God’sPolitics:WhytheRightGetsItWrongandTheLeftDoesn’tGetIt(NewYork:HarperOne,2006),66.xxxiThoughfamiliartotheNewTestamenthearerthistermwouldbestrangelyuniquebecauseitwasrarelyusedasaverb,i.e.“toevangelize.”xxxiiAlanRichardson,ATheologicalWordBookoftheBible,ed.AlanRichardson(NewYork:MacmillanPublishingCompany,1950),100.xxxiiiRobertLouisStevenson,SelectedWritings,“TravelsWithADonkeyinCevennes:AnInlandVoyage”(NewYork:RandomHouse,1947),957xxxivJohnStott,EvangelismandSocialResponsibility,25.xxxvHowardA.Snyder,TheCommunityoftheKing(DownersGrove,IL:Inter-VarsityPress),101.xxxviChurchGrowthandtheWholeGospel(SanFrancisco,CA:HarperandRow,1981),52.xxxviiSnyder,TheCommunityoftheKing,102.xxxviiiEngelandNorton,What’sGoneWrongWiththeHarvest.xxxixJamesF.Engel,ContemporaryChristianCommunicationsIt’sTheoryandPractice(NewYork:ThomasNelson,1979),223.xlJ.RobertClinton,TheMakingofaLeader:RecognizingtheLessonsandStagesofLeadershipDevelopment(ColoradoSprings,CO:NavPress1988).xliBillyGraham,PeaceWithGod,133.Atothertimes,Grahamdepictthisprocessasaseriesofthephases,c.f.SterlingW.Huston,CrusadeEvangelismandtheLocalChurch(Minneapolis,MN:WorldWidePublishers,1984),52-54.xliiBillyGraham,PeaceWithGod,133.xliiiSteps,stagesandphasesdepictaninflexibleprocessoffixeddimensions.Insimilarfashion,thetermmilemarkerprovidesapoormetaphor.Alloftheseappellationssufferfromalackofflexibilityandelasticity.Thismaybetheresultofmodernistconventions,whereprocessesareerroneouslythoughttofollowinlock-stepfashionandpredictability.ToembracesuchinflexibilitywouldbeakintoembracingtheerroneousscientificmanagementofFrederickTaylor,wherefabricationandconsistencyweredesired(foravaluableanalysisofscientificmanagementanditsinflexibility,seeDanielBoorstin,TheAmericans:TheDemocraticExperience[NewYork:Vintage,1974]).Amoresuppleandpostmoderndescription(whichthisauthorprefers)isthatofawaypoint,whichdoesnotoccuratregularintervals,butrathercalculatesthetraveler’scurrentpositionontheroute.xlivBillyGrahaminPeaceWithGodstatesthiswellwhenhesays,“ItistheHolySpiritwhobringsaboutthisconviction.Actually,repentancecannottakeplaceunlessfirstthereisamovementoftheHolySpiritintheheartandmind”(p.146).Itisthismovementinheartandmindthatthejourneymetaphorusedinthispresentbookwillseektochart.xlvJamesD.G.DunnpointsoutthattheinvolvementoftheHolySpiritinthebirthoftheChurchaswellasinnewdisciples,isseenbyJohnasanexampleofhowtheHolySpiritisinvolvedinmanyfacetsoftheevangelisticjourney.Dunnnotes,“hisspiritmaybeexperiencedinmanydiverseways,bothinnon-rationalecstasyandthroughthemind,bothinexperiencesofdramaticallyeffectivepowerandincompulsionto


serve…”JesusandtheSpirit:AStudyintheReligiousandCharismaticExperienceofJesusandtheFirstChristiansasReflectedintheNewTestament(Philadelphia:TheWestminsterPress,1975),357-58.


CHAPTER2:THEPOWEROFWAYPOINTS

EvangelisticEffectivenessIsMissing “Ministryeffectivenessmustbeevaluatedandnotsimplyassumed.”Thus,intonedasocialscientistbythenameofJamesEngleasheassessedNorthAmericanchurchhealth.Astheauthorofdozensofjournalarticlesonbusinessstrategy,EngelhadbeentakenbackbythecavalierattitudeChristiansheldtowardevaluation.HisconcernswereechoedbyFullerSeminaryprofessorDonaldMcGavran,whoarguedthathistermchurchgrowth,whilevalid,hadcometomeansomethingunintended:attendancegrowth.McGavranthereforesought,unsuccessfully,tosupplantthetermchurchgrowthwiththemoreaccuratephrase,effectiveevangelismxlvibecausethisemphasizedeffectivenessoverbulk. WhenteachingbusinessstudentsEngelstresseditwasnotsizebuteffectivenessthatwasthekey.Alargeorganizationcouldbeasunhealthyasasmallone.Thus,effectiveness,notmasswasthegoal.AndthoughEngelbelievedthatGodwantedallpersonstoknowHim,thisdidprecludeevaluatingexactlywhichmethodologiesGodwasusingatthetime.xlviiEngel’sactionsweremirroredbyEddieGibbswhostated“theintentionsofGoddonotsetasidetheneedforcarefulevaluation.”xlviii CreatinganevaluationtoolthatdidnotreplyuponstatisticsorratingsbutrathertrackedprogressEngledevelopedascaleofspiritualdecision.Englecelebratethattherewasapointwhen“anewdisciplewasborn,”butfeltthechurchhadbecomeineffectivebyplacingtoomuchemphasisuponthepointofdecision.xlixHesawchurchesoverlyfixateduponaltarcalls,prefabricatedexplanationsoftheGoodNews,andcelebrationsofthenewbirth.lEngle,asdoesthisauthor,seesnothingwrongwithsuchcelebration,onlythatinmanychurchesthecelebrationcloudsthefactthattherearewaypointsthatleadtoaspiritualdecision,andsubsequentwaypointsthatleadtomaturity.Wheneuphoriastealsourattentionfromrequisitefollowthrough,thedilemmabecomesanalogoustoanewbornchildwhoisleftatthehospitalaftertheinitialelationoftheparentswanes.Allparentscantellyouthatthejourneyonlygetsmorecomplexandcomplicatedafterbirth,andyoubetterbeprepared.AndsoitiswithnewbirthsinChrist.Inbothparentinganddisciplingtherearewaypointsupahead,andeachonewillrequireanewsetofskills.

ElasticParentinginWordandDeed InpreviouswritingsIdescribedhowthepatternofparentingisahelpful(andBiblical)leadershipmetaphorinpartofelasticity.liByelastic,Imeanthata

McGavranthereforesought,unsuccessfully,tosupplantthetermchurchgrowthwiththephrase,effectiveevangelismbecausethisemphasizedeffectivenessoverbulk.


personmuststretchandadjusttheirparentingmethodsasachildmatures,withoutchangingtheparent’sunderlyingprinciples.Sotoomustthechurchadjustitsministry(butnotitsprinciples)asthenewpersongrowsinChrist.Ifthechurchdoesnotadjustitsmethods,thematuringdisciplemaygoelsewhereinsearchofaspiritualhomethatcanhelpthemwiththenextstageintheirspiritualjourney.Suchpartingsundercutalocalchurch’seffectiveness,andinterruptstheconsistencyayoungdiscipleneeds.

Letisconsideranexample.GraceChurch(apseudonymlii)mightbeskilledinhelpingcommunityresidentswithaclothingshelfandfoodbank.But,atthesametimethischurchmaybeweakinexplainingthefundamentalsoftheGoodNews.ThiscanoccurbecauseGraceChurchfeelsbenevolentandcompassionatedeedsaretheprimarywaytheyexpresstheGoodNews.Thisissometimescalled“evangelismindeed,”wherethedeedisseenasreflectingtheloveofChrist.And,itcertainlycanandshould.However,suchachurchcanbeweakintheirexplanationofthetenetsoftheGoodNews.SkillinexplainingthetenetsoftheGoodNewsissometimescalled“evangelisminword,”whereteachingaboutthewordsofChristformachurch’sprimarythrustoftheGoodNews.liii

Wesawinchapteronethatbothoftheseactions,charitabledeeds(theculturalmandate)andexplainingthebiblicalWord(theevangelisticmandate),arepartofourGoodNews.Butachurchthatmajorsonone,andonlyminorsontheother,riskscreatingmissinglinksinthetraveler’sjourney.Ifaparentdidnotadapttheirparentingstyleasthechildgrowsintoteenyears,thatteenagermightleavehomecomplainingthattheywerestillbeingtreatedasachild.Andso,ithappensinsimilarfashioninourchurches.

Thereisnothingwrongwhenchurchesdivideupthisprocess,withsomechurchesfocusingontheGoodNewsindeedandotherchurchesfocusingontheGoodNewsinword.livRonSiderandhiscolleagueshaveevensuggestedpracticalstrategiesforcreatingpartnershipsbetweensuchcongregations.lv

Butaproblememergeswhenwelookatthisfromtheviewpointofthewayfarer.Thetravelerbeginstomakefriendswiththosehelpingthemontheirjourney,onlytofindthatoncetheytraveltoanotherwaypoint,theymustbreakthesetieswithformerfriendsandseektopenetrateanewcommunity.Thisforcesthewayfarertocontinuallycuthisorhertiesandrepeatedlyseekanewcommunitythatcanfacilitatethenextstageoftheirjourney. Theproblemisexacerbatedbecausechurchesoftenfinditchallengingtoofferministryatmorethanafewwaypoints.So,mostchurchesjustdon’texerttheeffort.Aresultisthatmostchurchesfocusonanarrowbandofthejourneyandgivelip-servicetotherest.Thismustchange.Ifitdoesnot,thenfortheconvenienceofchurchworkers,weareforcingnewdisciplestobreak-reestablish,break-

…mostchurchesfocusonanarrowbandofthejourneyandgivelip-servicetotherest.Thismustchange….weareforcingnewdisciplestobreak-reestablish,break-reestablishandbreak-reestablishrelationshipsjusttocontinueontheirspiritualpath.


reestablishandbreak-reestablishrelationshipsjusttocontinueontheirspiritualjourney. Anevenmoreworrisomeoutcomeisthatwhenseveringrelationshipswithonecongregationandinitiatingrelationshipswithanother,wayfarersmaydropoutofthejourney.Thepersonwhoexitsacongregationoftenfeelsasiftheyarebetrayingtheirfriends.lviTheresultisthatrelationshipsarerent,andlookingbackbecomespainful. TheanswerbeginsbycreatingamapofhowtheGoodNewstravels,onethatdepictsthedirection,waypointsandprogressofthejourney.Oncechurchesgraspthisvisualdepictionwithitsmanywaypoints,churchescaneitherencourageadiscipletomove-on,orthecongregationcandecidetoexpandtheirministryintoadjacentwaypoints…andbeyond.lvii

Engel’sScale Tovisualizethisprocess,Englebeganwithwhathecalled“theGreatCommissionincommondress”lviiiandviewedthisasaprocessofstages.Letuslookbrieflyateachstage(Figure1)inwhatEngellabeled“amodelofspiritualdecisionprocesses,”lixFigure1

Engel’s Stages of Spiritual Decisionlx -8 Awareness of supreme being,

no knowledge of Gospel -7 Initial awareness of Gospel -6 Awareness of fundamentals of Gospel -5 Grasp of implications of Gospel -4 Positive attitude towards Gospel -3 Personal problem recognition -2 Decision to act -1 Repentance and faith in Christ New birth: A New Disciple is Born +1 Post-decision evaluation +2 Incorporation into Body +3 Conceptual and behavioral growth +4 Communion with God +5 Stewardship

-8Apersonatthisstagemightlabelthemselvesanagnostic,knowingthereisagodbutnotknowingwhothatgodis. -7HereapersonbecomesawareofGoodNewsaboutGod(i.e.theGospel)throughthedeeds,words,testimony,etc.ofChristiansorothers.


-6AdeepeningawarenessofthefundamentalsofthisGoodNewscouldincludethetravelerexperiencingcharity,forgiveness,graciousness,reciprocity,etc..Thiscouldbeexemplifiedinactsofmercy,sacrifice,justice,etc.,whichfulfilltheGreatCommandment(Mark12:31)to“loveyourneighborasyourself”(sometimescalledthe“culturalmandate”).Asizableportionofpeopletodaymaylieinthisrealm,appreciatingthegooddeedsofChristiansbutnotmovingintothenextstage(-5)wheretheygraspthepersonalimplicationsoftheGoodNews. -5ThisindicatesthepersonunderstandsthepersonalrequirementsoftheGoodNews.Hereiswheremajordisconnectsmayoccur,whenpeopleseegooddeedsbutfailtograspthattheGoodNewshasrequirementsandobligationsuponthehearer.Jesusnotedthismanytimes,forinstancewhenhesaid,“takemyyokeuponyouandlearnfromme,forIamgentleandhumbleinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls.Formyyokeiseasyandmyburdenislight”(Matthew11:29-30). -4ThepersondevelopsapositiveviewoftheGospel.Again,becauseofwhatwasnotedabove,manyunchurchedpeopletodayprobablyresideinarealmbetween-7and-4. -3Hereapersonrecognizesapersonaldeficiency,incapableofbeingaddressedwithoutdivineinteractionandassistance. -2Apersonmakesadecisiontoactandreachoutforsupernaturalassistancetoaddressthedeficiency.

-1ApersonrecognizestheyhavenotliveduptoGod’sstandards,andthatonlybyfaithinJesusChristandHisdeathontheirbehalfcantheyescapethepenaltyoftheirsins. Newbirth.Godcreatesanintersectionbetweenthespiritualandphysicalwords;andanewpersonisborn(John3:3-8). +1Herethepersonreviewswhathashappenedandwhetherthedecisionwasworththeeffortand/ortheemergingcriticism.Some,afterreevaluatingtheirdecision,lapsebackto-3or-4witheitheradecisionnottoact,ortorevaluatetheirpositiveattitudetowardtheGoodNews. +2IfforwardprogressoccursapersonwillseekoutasupportnetworkoffellowChristians,fulfillingtheadmonitionofHebrews10:24-25to“letusconsiderhowwemayspuroneanotherontowardloveandgooddeeds.Letusnotgiveupmeetingtogether,assomeareinthehabitofdoing,butletusencourageoneanother...” +3Herespiritualgrowthisobservedinfaithandaction.InActs2:42-47weobservethreetypesofchurchgrowththatshouldemerge:growthinmaturity(growinginpassionfortheBible,fellowshipandprayer),growthinunity(growinginharmonywithothers)andgrowthinservice(growinginservicetoothersbothinsideandoutsideofthechurch).lxiEngelplacestraditionsassociatedwithnewbirth,suchasadultbaptismorconfirmation,inthisstage.lxii +4AtthispointEngelcloudsthepictureabit,referringtothisastageascommunionwithGod“throughprayerandworship.”lxiiiThoughheacknowledgesthatthishappensearliertoo,bystressingithereEngelgivestheunintendedimpressionthatsupernaturalencountermostlyflourisheslater.lxiv


InfacthereisaweaknessoftheEngleScale,itisstrongerandmoredescriptiveofthepre-birthprocessthanofthepost-birthjourney.IfbothaspectsofthejourneyshouldbebalancedasEngelsuggestslxvthenfurtherwaypointsmustbeaddedtotheupperrealmsofEngelScaletomakeittrulyholistic.

Clinton’sPhases BobbyClintonfromFullerSeminaryfocusedonthephasesofthejourneyafternewbirth(Figure2).Thoughotherauthorshaveofferedsimilarprocessmodels,lxviClinton’sisoneofthebestorganizedanddefined.Inaddition,Clintonemphasizesthatthesephasesoverlapandareindigenizedforeachperson.lxviiLetuslookbrieflyateachofwhatClintoncalls“SixPhasesofLeadershipDevelopment.”Figure2

Clinton’s Six Phases of Leadership Developmentlxviii I Sovereign Foundations New birth: A New Disciple is Born II Inner-life Growth III Ministry Maturation IV Life Maturation V Convergence VI Afterglow

I.SovereignFoundations.Clintonsuggestthisphasebeginsintheperiodbeforenewbirth.ClintonseesGodimbuingHiscreationwithcertainpersonalitycharacteristicsthatafternewbirthwillcorrelatetospiritualgifts.DuringthisphaseGodispreparingaleaderthroughexperiencesandcharactertraits.lxix ANewDiscipleisBorn.BetweenPhase1and2,Clintonsees“analloutsurrendercommitment,inwhichthewould-be-leaderaspirestospendalifetimethatcountsforGod.”lxxHereEngeloffersheremoredepthashechartstheminute,butimportant,mentalstepsthatleaduptoa“surrendercommitment.”Therefore,Engel’spreparatorystepstothisexperiencewillcontributemorerobustlytoourwaypointapproach. II.Inner-lifeGrowth.InthisphaseClintondescribesthementoringandmodelingthatthenewChristianexperiences.ClintonneglectsEngel’sinsightsregardingthepost-birthevaluation,yetClintonaddstoourunderstandingstheinfluenceofbothinformalapprenticeshipsandformaltraining.lxxi III.MinistryMaturation:MinistryasthePrimeFocusofLife.Thisphaseoccursasthedisciplesensesministryisincreasinglybecomingafocusoftheirlife.Thediscipleismotivatedtoexploreministryoptionsandspiritualgiftings.lxxiiAtthis


juncture,Clintonoffersthemostsatisfyinginsights,pointingoutthatmuchofthegrowthinthenewdiscipleisself-directed,meaningthedisciplemusttakeituponthemselvestolookforopportunitiestovolunteer,ministertoothersandevaluateeffectiveness.Ministryisthusoftenorganic,unpaidandunscripted.lxxiiiThoughClintonnotesthat“mostpeopleareanxioustobypassPhaseIIandgetonwiththerealthing–PhaseIII,ministry,”lxxivinhindsightPhaseIIcanbeverysatisfyingbecausealloptionsarepossibleandhopeabounds. IV.LifeMaturation:Gift-mixWithPower.HereClintonoffersacriticalinsightintothepowerfulsynergythatisunleashedwhenapersonfindsaministrythatcorrespondstotheirgifts.Ministryprioritiesarealsoestablishedduringthisphase,whichClintondescribesasaphaseof“maturefruitfulness.”lxxv V.EverythingConverges.Inthisphasepersonality,training,experience,giftsandgeographicallocationconvergetoreleaseministrythatisnotonlyeffectivebutalsowidelyappreciated.Clintonpointsoutthatnotalldisciplesreachthisstage,butbyjustdefiningthestageClintongivesusamentalpictureofGod’spotentialfortheindividual.“Ministryismaximized”sumsupClinton. VI.Afterglow.Thisisaphasewhenaperson’sministryissoinfluentialoversuchanextendedperiodoftime,thatthepersonenjoystheafterglowofeffectiveministry.Thoughtaendthatshouldbeconsidered,Clintonnotesthatinrealityfewgetthere.However,travelersshouldnotbediscouragednorsurprised,fortheScripturesarerepletewithexamplesofsaintswhoneverattained(atleastinthislife)afterglow.

Clintonprovidesaninterestingroadmaptowardthegrowthofinfluentialandeffectiveleadership,evenifthehigherphasesareoftennotrealizedinthislifetime.ItisinthephasesofleadershipdevelopmentthatClintonbestsEngel.lxxvi

ANewRoadmapforaNewEra

Engel’sandClinton’sscalesprovidehelpfulvisualremindersinaworld

increasinglycomfortableanddependentuponsymbolsandicons.lxxviiButbothEngelandClintonarestillrootedinamodernistworldwhereinflexiblestagesandlock-stepphasesrobthejourneyofoutreachofitselasticandlocalflavor.Whowouldwanttoblindlyfollowsomeoneelse’stravelogue,andnotexperiencesurprises,scenicbywaysandflexibilityinroute?

Anewpostmoderneraisemphasizingtheimportanceoflearningthroughexperience,notjustfrombooks.lxxviiiThesearepeoplewhowanttoexperiencethejourney,notjustlivevicariouslythroughsomeoneelse’sdiary.Forthesepeopleanewroadmapisneeded,amapthatdrawsfromthebestofEngelandClinton,butalsoemphasizeshoweachtravelerexperiencesthejourneyuniquely.Thisnewmapmustemphasizethattherearecommonwaypointsthateachtravelerwillencounterthoughatdifferenttimesandwithdifferentfacets.Ournewmapmustfocuslessonstagesandphases,andinsteadconcentrateonthenaturalexperiencesthatthetravelerwillencounteronthejourney.

Tobegintochartthisnewroute,letusseehow(inFigure3)bothEngelandClintoncontributeinsights,butondifferentsegmentsofthejourney.


Figure3:Engel’sStagesandClinton’sPhasesComparedEngle’sStagesofSpiritualDecision-8Awarenessofsupremebeing-7InitialawarenessofGospel-6AwarenessoffundamentalsoftheGospel-5GraspofimplicationsoftheGospel-4PositiveattitudetowardGospel-3Personalproblemrecognition-2Decisiontoact-1RepentanceNewBirth:ADiscipleisBorn+1Post-decisionevaluation+2IncorporationintotheBody+3Conceptualandbehavioralgrowth+4CommunionwithGod+5Stewardship

Clinton’sSixPhasesofLeadershipDevelopment

ISovereignfoundations

NewBirth:ADiscipleisBorn

IIInner-lifegrowth

IIIMinistrymaturation

IVLifematurationVConvergenceVIAfterglow

AsseeninFigure3,bothscaleshavetheirstrongpoints.Bycombiningthe

two,takingoutsomeoverlap,updatingterminology,andfocusingontheprocessratherthanstaticstages/phases,anewroadmapcanemergethatismoreattunetotoday’straveler.Thereforetoprovideamoreelasticandorganicalternative,Isuggestthatthestagesandphasesbecomelessprominent,andtheybereplacedwithmoveablewaypointsthatgiveageneralunderstandingofwhereoneiswithinacertainsegmentoftheirjourney.Figure4thenisanewscale,bornfromtheabove,lxxixbutwithemphasisuponindigenouswaypointsfortrackingthetraveler’sprogress.

Figure4:


WHITESEL’S WAYPOINTS

16 No awareness of supreme being

15 Awareness of supreme being, no knowledge of the

Good News

14 Initial awareness of the Good News

13 Awareness of the fundamentals of the Good News

12 Grasp of the implications of the Good News

11 Positive attitude towards the Good News

10 Personal problem recognition

9 Decision to act

8 Repentance and faith in Christ

7 NEW BIRTH

6 Post-decision evaluation

5 Incorporation into the Body

4 Spiritual foundations (conceptual and behavioral growth)

3 Inner-life growth (deepening communion with God)

2 Ministry emergence (spiritual gifts emerge)

1 Impact emergence (life influences others)

0 Convergence (experience, gifts and influence converge

into a life of integrity and inspiration)

Eachoneofthesewaypointswillbeexaminedmorefullyineachofthefollowingchapters.However,atthisjunctureletuslookatsomeuniquecharacteristicsthatawaypointapproachaffords.


FeaturesofWhitesel’sWaypoints

Feature1:ChurchesShouldExpandOutward

FromTheirCurrentWaypointsToCoverNewWaypoints

Justasitisimportantfortravelerstoknowwheretheyareonthisjourney,itislikewisecriticalfororganizationstoknowwhatwaypointstheyaddressbest.Thefirstquestiontoaskis,wereonthisjourneyisourchurchofferingeffectiveministry?

Let’slookatourillustrationofGraceChurch.GraceChurchisheavilyinvolvedinsocialactionthroughaclothingshelfandfoodbank(theculturalmandate)andthusisprobablyministeringprimarilyatWaypoints14or13.ItmightbetoobigofaleapforGraceChurchtoimmediatelycommenceministrytotravelersatWaypoints9or8.Theimportantintermediarywaypointsof10,11and12wouldbemissing.

HereishowthismisstepmightoccuratGraceChurch.Asnoted,GraceChurchhasaneffectiveministryutilizingaclothingshelfandfoodbank(Waypoints13and14).Somecongregantsfeelthatwhatismissingisacalltodecision(Waypoint9).Thus,anationallyknownsportsfigureisinvitedtoshareataneventthatisheavilypublicizedandattended.Thesportsfigurescallsforhearerstorespond.Twentyeightpatronsoftheclothingshelforfoodbankrespondwithprofessionsofnewbirth.Atruestory,withonlythenameschanged,theresultoneyearlaterwasthatofthesetwentyeightrespondents,onlyfourarecontinuingontheirjourneyofChristiandiscipleship.Whilefourarecertainlyworthanyeffort,onewonderswhatmighthappenifGraceChurchhadcoveredthemissingsegmentsofthejourney,thesegmentscalledWaypoints10,11and12.

Inmyexperience,churchesreachoutmoreeffectivelywhentheymovetocoverthenextadjacentwaypoint,andstrengthentheirministrythere.Thiseliminatestheproblemofcreatinggapsordisruptionsinthetraveler’sjourney.Afterincreasingineffectivenessintheadjacentwaypoint,thechurchcanthenproceedfurtheroutwardtomorewaypoints,increasingtheholismoftheirministry.

LetusseehowGraceChurchcouldhavedonethingsdifferentlybyundertakingtwoexploratorysteps,andoneresult.

a. FirsttheleadersofGraceChurchwouldaskthemselves,“isthereanearbyorassociatedchurchthatiseffectivelydoingministryateitherofthewaypointsnexttous?”Ifthereis,thenGraceChurchshouldfirstcontactthemandexplorepartneringinministry.Partneringhoweverwilldependupontheologicalanddoctrinaldifferencesand/orifthenearbyministryisreachingadifferentculture.lxxxIfasuitableministrypartnercanbefound,thenachurchcanreadilyincreasetheirspanofministryonthejourneyofevangelism.

b. However,ifthereisnotaviablepartnertoincreaseGraceChurch’sministryspan,thenthechurchshouldworkfromthewaypointstheyareeffectivelydoing(Waypoints14and13)outwardtoadjacentwaypoints


(Waypoints15or12).Fromherethisexpansionwouldeventuallyincreasetoasmuchofthejourneyasfeasible.

c. IfGraceChurchexpandsitsministrytofirsthelpthosetravelersatW12andthenthoseW11,thenthechurchisprogressivelyhelpingtravelersnavigatealargerportionoftheirspiritualjourney.Withoutintersectingbridgesbetweenwaypoints,atravelercanbecomeconfused,disorientatedandatworst,lost.

Feature2:

FocusingonOneWaypointCanStagnateaChurch

Thereisadangerforachurchthatbecomesaspecialistinonlyafewwaypoints.Waypointsbytheirverynatureindicatea“pointontheway.”Thus,stoppinganywhereonthecontinuumbecomesunnatural,andworrisome.ThiscanresultinthenearsightednessofwhichmyfriendDougspoke.Churchescangetfixatedonthefewwaypointstheyaredoingwell,andnotseetheneedsonthosetravelersonotherpartsofthejourney.lxxxi

Somechurchesmaybetoosmalloreventoosuccessfultowanttoofferministryatmorethanacouplewaypoints.Ifthatisthecase,thenasnotedearlierpartnershipscanhelpchurchesbuildbridgestoadjacentwaypoints.Suchcollaborationwillensurethattravelerscanreadilymovetothenextwaypoint,evenifitmeansgoingtoapartnerchurch.lxxxii

However,byemphasizingajourneywithongoingandlong-termprocesses,achurchislesslikelytosuccumbtofocusingonjustafewwaypoints.lxxxiiiAndajourneymetaphorremindsusthateachnewwaypointbuildsuponanearlierone.BecausechurchesarecommunalexpressionscalledouttodemonstrateGod’sloveandpurposes,lxxxivthenchurchesshouldseektohelpasmanytravelersaspossibletotravelasfaralongontheirjourneyaspossible.

Feature3:CountdowntoConvergence

Thereadermightwonderwhythesewaypointscountdown(16-0),rather

thanup(0-16),toconvergence?Thecount-downmotifwasutilizedforseveralreasons.

a. Countingupwardwouldendatsomearbitrarynumberforeternalconvergence.Themagnificenceofeternityseemstoograndtoassignanumber.

b. Ifthenumberswereassignedinanupwardfashionfrom1to16,thenanunintendedimpressionmightbethatapersonat12issuperiortoapersonatWaypoint3.WhilegrowinginChristisredemptivelylifting,

Thereisadangerforachurchthatbecomesaspecialistinonlyafewwaypoints.Waypointsbytheirverynatureindicatea“pointontheway.”Thus,stoppinganywhereonthecontinuumbecomesunnatural,andworrisome.


maturityfostershumilityandthusassigninghighernumbersforChristianmaturitycloudsourintentions.

c. Finally,zeroforconvergencecarriesthesenseofthelastwaypointofonejourneyandthesteppingoffintoanewjourneyoftimelessdimensions.Zerocanthusbethelaunchingplaceforanotherjourney…otherworldlyandeternal.

Feature4:

BiblicalSupportforanOngoingJourneyAsseenearlier,theGreatCommissionofMatthew28:19-20istheapex

towardwhichtheGreatCommandment(Mark12:31)aimsandinstructs.lxxxvWithintheGreatCommissionarefourverbs:go,makedisciples,baptizeandteach.ThoughintheEnglishtheyappearidentical,intheGreekonlyoneoftheseverbsisthemainverb,andtheotherthreedescribeit(theotherthreeareparticiples,i.e.helpingverbsthatmodifyorexplainthemainverb).

Whichthenisthemainverb,theonethattheotherthreearedescribing?TheGreeklanguageholdstheanswer,fortheuniquespellingofmatheteusateindicatesthat“makedisciples”isthemainverb,andthus“tomakedisciples”isJesus’choiceforthegoalofourgoing,baptizingandteaching.

Butwhatexactlyisthisdisciplethatwearecommissionedtofoster?MatheteusateisderivedfromGreekwordfor“learner”andmeansto“makelearners.”McGavranstressesthatmatheteusatemeans“enrollinmy(Jesus’)school.”lxxxvi

Andyet,theGreekgrammarholdsmoresurprises.MatheteusatehasauniqueGreekspelling,indicatingthatitisintheimperativevoiceandthepresentperfecttense.Thesegrammaticalconstructionstellusthefollowing.

• Theimperativevoiceindicatesthattomakelearnersisacrucialandurgentundertaking.

• Thepresenttensedenotesthatmakinglearnersshouldbeacurrentaction.

• Andtheperfecttensecarriestheideathatmakinglearnersshouldbeacontinualandongoingaction.

Therefore,thepresentandongoingimageryofajourneybecomesawelcomemetaphor.Engelsaid,

Inshort,discipleshiprequirescontinuedobedienceovertime….ThusbecomingadiscipleisaprocessbeginningwhenonereceivedChrist,continuingoveralifetimeasoneisconformedtoHisimage(Phil1:6),andculminatinginthegloryattheendoftheage.Inthisbroaderperspective,theGreatCommissionneverisfulfilledbutalwaysisintheprocessoffulfillment.lxxxvii

Inoursearchforaculture-currentmetaphorweseetheimageofa“journey”emerging,with“travelingwayfarers”movingforwardtoencounternew“waypoints.”


Inoursearchforaculture-currentmetaphorweseetheimageofa“journey”emerging,with“travelingwayfarers”movingforwardtoencounternew“waypoints.”Forchurchestofocustoonarrowlyonafewwaypoints,slowsanddisconnectstheprocessastravelerswillhavetoseekoutnewchurchestohelpthemtravelonthenextlegoftheirjourney.Manywayfarerswillfindthechangetooawkward,andmanywillnotmaketheleapatall.

Inthefollowingchapterswewillcarefullyexamineeachwaypoint.Intheprocesswewillencounterpersonalstoriesthatillustrateeachwaypointandlearnwhatchurchescandotohelptravelersnegotiateeachpointonlife’smostimportantjourney.NotesforChapter2:xlviDonaldA.McGavran,EffectiveEvangelism:ATheologicalMandate(Phillipsburg,NJ:PresbyterianandReformedPublishingCompany,1988).EugeneNidahadearlierwarnedoftheChristianpropensitytoeschewassessmentinMessageandMission:TheCommunicationoftheChristianFaith(NewYork:Harper&Row,1960).xlviiC.f.John17:3andRomans10:13,alsoEngel,ContemporaryChristianCommunication,66-68.xlviiiNidaandMcGavranemphasizedthatoutreachshouldtobeevaluatedandnotsimplyassumed.SeeEugeneNida’sMessageandMission(1960)andMcGavran’sUnderstandingChurchGrowth(1970),whereMcGavrancalledthechurch’savoidanceofevaluationequivalenttocreatinga“universalfog”ofempiricalmurkiness,76-120.xlixEngel,ContemporaryChristianCommunication,79-80.lThisisnottosaythatpresentationsoftheGoodNewsarenotnecessary,effectiveorneeded.Theyare.ButEngelsaw,asdidmyfriendDoug,afixationor“nearsightedness”inevangelicalchurches,wherethenewbirtheventblindedthechurchtoitsimportanttaskintheprocessthatleadsuptothenewbirthwaypointandbeyond,ContemporaryChristianCommunications,86.liWhitesel,InsidetheOrganicChurch,108-123,PreparingforChangeReaction,117-131.liiThisandsubsequentecclesialexamplesinthisbookarehypotheticalorganizations.Whilebasedonactualcases,topreserveanonymitytheseillustrativeorganizationswerecreatedfromacompilationofactualcasestudies.liiiAlTizon,TransformationAfterLausanne:RadicalEvangelicalMissioninGlobal-LocalPerspective(Eugene,OR:Wipf&StockPublishers,2008),RonSider,TheScandalofEvangelicalPolitics:WhyAreChristiansMissingtheChangetoReallyChangetheWorld?(GrandRapids,MI:BakerBooks,2008).livThiscanhelpsmallchurcheswhoseonlyoptionistopartnerwithanotherchurchtooffermorewaypointsontheevangelisticjourney.Itcanincreasecongregationalself-esteemtoknowthattheyarehelpinginaportionoftheprocess.Anexampleofatwochurchesthatpartneredtwodecadesagoandhavenowgrownintoa“yokedmega-church”isSt.Thomas’sChurchofSheffieldEngland(AnglicanChurchof


England)andthePhiladelphiaChurch(BaptistUnionofGreatBritain).Fortheirremarkablestory,seePaddyMallon’sCallingaCityBacktoGod:ASheffieldChurch,Over2,000Strong,MostBelow40YearsOld…WhatCanWeLearn?(Eastbourne,UK:KingswayCommunication,Ltd.,2003).lvRonaldJ.Sider,JohnM.Perkins,WayneL.GordonandF.AlbertTizon,LinkingArms,LinkingLives:HowUrban-SuburbanPartnershipsCanTransformCommunities(GrandRapids,MI:BakerBooks,2008).lviFormoreonwhygroupexitsoccurandpreventativemeasuressee,BobWhitesel,StayingPower:WhyPeopleLeavetheChurchOverChange,andWhatYouCanDoAboutIt(Nashville,TN:AbingdonPress,2003).lviiSomemaywonderifexpandingachurch’sministryintoneighboringwaypointsmightunderminenearbychurchesthataresucceedinginthosewaypoints.However,sincethemajorityofAmericansdonotattendchurch,thereisasubstantialneedformoreholisticandmultiple-waypointapproachestodisciplethecurrentpopulation.lviiiEngelandNorton,What’sGoneWrongWiththeHarvest?,45.lixJamesF.Engel,TheChurchGrowthBulletin(FullerInstituteofChurchGrowth,Pasadena,CA:1973).Engelstressedthathisdecisionscaleemphasizedhowachurch’s“communicationministries”mustchangeasthetravelerjourneysthroughthespiritualdecisionprocess,What’sGoneWrongWiththeHarvest?,44-45.Unfortunately,thepublisheddesignation,“Engel’sScaleofSpiritualDecision”cloudsEngel’semphasisupontheelasticroleofthechurch’scommunication,andthusthisscale’sdesignationdoesnotcorrespondtoitscontent.lxEngel’sScaleofSpiritualDecisionhasbeencodifiedfromseveralofEngel’svariations,c.f.JamesF.EngelandWilbertNorton,What’sGoneWrongWiththeHarvest?ACommunicationStrategyforWorldEvangelism(GrandRapids,MI:AcademieBooks,1975);45,JamesF.Engel,ContemporaryChristianCommunications:ItsTheoryandPractice(NewYork:ThomasNelsonPublishers,1979),63-87,225;JamesF.EngelandWilliamA.Dyrness,ChangingtheMindofMissions:WhereHaveWeGoneWrong(Westmont,IL:IntervarsityPress,2000),100-101.Thecurrentexamplehasbeenadaptedbytheauthor.lxiForanexplanationofeachofthefourtypesofchurchgrowthfoundinActs2:42alongwithmeasurementtoolstotrackeach,seeBobWhiteselandKentHunter,AHouseDivided:BridgingtheGenerationGapsinYourChurch(Nashville:AbingdonPress,2000),207-218.lxiiEngel,ContemporaryChristianCommunications,81.ScotMcKnight’sobservationsindicatethatsomedenominationsmightdisagreewithEngel’splacingbaptismat+2.McKnightnotesthatsomeliturgicaltraditionsplacebaptismearlier,atEngel’sNewBirthjuncture.McKnightoffersahelpfuloverviewofwhenandhowdifferentdenominationsviewbaptismascorrespondingtotheconversionaryexperience.HenotesthatevangelicalsandPentecostalsview“personaldecision”astheplaceofconversion,whilesomemainlineProtestantsseeconversionassociatedwithalongnurturingprocess(McKnightcallsthis“conversionthroughsocialization”).Hethennotesthatsomeliturgicaltraditionsmayviewconversionasattachedtoliturgical


actssuchasbaptism,thesacramentsand“officialritesofpassage,”ScotMcKnight,TurningtoJesus:TheSociologyofConversionintheGospels(Louisville,KY:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2002),1-7.Subsequently,dependingonthetraditionandpractice,baptismmaybeviewedasoccurringanywherebetweenthestagesofNewBirththrough+2.lxiiiEngel,ContemporaryChristianCommunications,82lxivEngelsometimestalksaboutcommunionwithGod(+4)andStewardship(+5)assubsetsof+3ConceptualandBehavioralGrowth.Engel,ContemporaryChristianCommunications,83;What’sGoneWrongWithTheHarvest,45,52-56.lxvEngelinContemporaryChristianCommunications,66-68.lxviI.e.JohnC.Maxwell,The21IndispensableQualitiesofaLeader,BecomingthePersonOthersWillWanttoFollow(NewYork:ThomasNelson,1999);MaxDePree,LeadershipisanArt(NewYork:DellPublishing,1989),TomRathandBarryConchie,Strengths-BasedLeadership(Washington,DC:GallupPress,2009);SethGodin,Tribes:WeNeedYoutoLeadUs(NewYork:Portfolio,2008).lxviiRobertClinton,TheMakingofaLeader:RecognizingtheLessonsandStagesofLeadershipDevelopment(ColoradoSprings,CO:NavPress,1988),30.lxviiiRobertClinton,TheMakingofaLeader.lxixRobertClinton,TheMakingofaLeader,31.lxxIbid.lxxiWhileClintonaddressestheinfluenceofpersonalmentoring,hedoesnotaddresstheinfluenceoftheChristiancommunitytothedegreeofEngel.Researchshowsthatthehealthofachurchcommunityisanimportantfactorinfosteringleadershipdevelopment(Whitesel,GrowthbyAccident,DeathbyPlanning,andInsidetheOrganicChurch,alongwithparallelsinthebusinessworld,MaryJoHatchandMajkenSchultz,TheDynamicsofOrganizationalIdentity[Oxford,UK:OxfordUniversityPress,2004]andMaryJoHatch,MonikaKosteraandAndrzejK.Kozminski,ThreeFacesofLeadership:Manager,Artist,Priest[Malden,MA:BlackwellPublishing,2005]).lxxiiThiswouldbeEngel’ssub-stageof“discoveryanduseofgifts.”lxxiiiFor“AComparisonBetweenInstitutionalizationandImprovisation”seeWhitesel,InsidetheOrganicChurch,119.lxxivRobertClinton,TheMakingofaLeader,32.lxxvIbid.lxxviWhileEngelemphasizesspiritualdisciplines,thereisnoguaranteeinEngel’sscalethatspiritualmaturitywillcorrespondwiththeseactions.Forexample,justbecauseapersonisexperiencingEngel’s+8Stageofstewardshipofresources,or+9Stageofprayer,doesnotmeanthatpersonisactuallygrowinginmaturity.Theseareactionsthatshouldaccompanymaturityinfaith,butdonotnecessarilydoso.ThusEngelemphasizestheartifactsofthejourney,butClintonemphasizestheirinfluence.lxxviiForexamplesofthewidespreaduseoficonsincontemporarycommunication,seeWhitesel,InsidetheOrganicChurch:Learningfrom12EmergingCongregations(AbingdonPress,2006).


lxxviiiSeealsotheauthor’sanalysisofpostmodernalchurchpatternsinInsidetheOrganicChurchandPreparingforChangeReaction.EspeciallynoteChapter3onchangeandcultureinthelattervolume.lxxixWhitesel’s16WaypointsandTheirCorrelationtoEngelandClinton

Whitesel’sWaypointsandTheirCorrelationtoEngelandClinton

16Noawarenessofsupremebeing(Engel)15Awarenessofsupremebeing,noknowledgeofGospel(Engel)14InitialawarenessofGospel(Engel)13AwarenessoffundamentalsofGospel(Engel)12GraspimplicationsofGospel(Engel)11PositiveattitudetowardsGospel(Engel)10Personalproblemrecognition(Engel)9Decisiontoact(Engel)8RepentanceandfaithinChrist(EngelandClinton)7Newbirth(EngelandClinton)6Post-decisionevaluation(Engel)5IncorporationintotheBody(EngelandClinton)4Spiritualfoundations(Whitesel)

+3Conceptualandbehavioralgrowth(Engel)+3.1SovereignFoundations(Clinton)

3Inner-lifegrowth(Clinton)

+4.1CommunionwithGod(Engel) +5Stewardship(Engel)

2Ministryemergence(Clinton)1Influenceemergence(Whitesel)

LifeMaturation(Clinton)0ConvergenceorAfterglow(Clinton)

lxxxTolearnmoreabouttheimportanceofculturesandhowtogrowindigenousandorganicministries,seePreparingforChangeReaction:HowToIntroduceChangetoYourChurch(2008)andInsidetheOrganicChurch:Learningfrom12EmergingCongregations(2006).


lxxxiChurchesmightcounterthisargumentbysaying“butweareeffectiveatonewaypoint,whyshouldwetrytocreateministryinareasinwhichwearenotgood?”Thisisanargumentrootedinacommonmisperceptionregardingmanagementtheory,thatorganizationsshouldfocusondoingonlyonethingwell.Inthebusinessworld,anorganizationdoesnotwanttoengageintoomanydisparatefields.However,ifthatbusinesscanenterafieldthatbuildsuponafieldtheyalreadydowell,thenthatbecomesagoodstrategy.Forinstance,acompanythatbuildshomeswillfindthatifitcanaddarealtorbusiness,itcancapitalizeonthebusinessgeneratedbeforeandafterthehouseisbuilt.Thefirmbecomesmorecompetitivebecauseitcoversmoreofthefieldsrelatedtoitspurpose.Sotoothechurchbecomesmoreholisticandhelpful,ifithelpspeopleonmorewaypointsonthejourneyofevangelism.lxxxiiSuchpartnershipsoftenorganicallydevelopinchurchesthathavebeenplantedbyamothercongregation.Oftenanoffspringcongregationsismoreeffectiveinmeetingtheneedsofthedisenfranchised,becausetheoffspringislessadministrativelydistantandnearertotheneed.However,asthetravelermovesalongthejourneyofGoodNews,theymayfindtheyareinneedofministrythatonlythemothercongregationcanprovide.Insuchscenarios,theconnectionbetweenthedaughterandthemothercongregationsoftenallowsthewayfarertoshifttothemothercongregationinarelativelysmoothmanner.lxxxiiiResearchershavesuggestedthatanemphasisuponsocialconcernshasinthepastledsomeevangelicalstobecomemoreliberalintheologyandlessevangelicalinmethodology(EdStetzer,addressgiventoAmericanSocietyforChurchGrowth(LaMirada,CA:BiolaUniversity,Nov.14,2008)].However,understandingthejourneyofoutreachcanassistinhaltingthisdigression,byemphasizingthedirectionandwaypointsofthisjourneyofGoodNews.Animmunizationagainstthismaladymightbegreateruseandfamiliaritywithawaypointmodel,wheretheprogressofthehumanconditionishighlightedbywaypointsthatarenottheendsofthejourney,butmerelymarkerstowardanultimateconvergence.lxxxivTheGreekwordcommonlyusedforchurchintheNewTestament,ekklesia,indicatesacommunityorassemblythatiscalledoutforjointaction.WalterBauer,trans.WilliamF.ArndtandF.WilburGingrich,AGreek-EnglishLexiconoftheNewTestamentandOtherEarlyLiterature(Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress,1957),240-241.lxxxvStill,themandatesaretwopartsofthesameprocess.EngelhowevermakesapersuasiveargumentthatWagner(EvangelicalMissionsQuarterly,vol.12[July,1976],177-180)separatestoogreatlytheculturalmandatefromtheevangelisticmandate(ContemporaryChristianCommunications,66-68).EngelarguesfromScriptureandfrompracticalitythatitisa“gravemissiologicalerror”toseparatetheculturalmandatefromtheevangelicalmandateatall.Itistowardre-couplingthesemandatesthatmetaphorsofajourneyandwaypointsareemployed.lxxxviMcGavran,EffectiveEvangelism,17.lxxxviiEngel,ContemporaryChristianCommunications,66.


AFTERWORD:ARRIVAL…ANDBACKAGAIN

“Anyonewhosetshimselfupas‘religious’bytalkingagoodgameisself-deceived.Thiskindofreligionishotairandonlyhotair.Realreligion,thekindthatpassesmusterbeforeGodtheFather,isthis:Reachouttothehomelessandlovelessintheirplight,andguardagainstcorruptionfromthegodlessworld.”

-James1:26-27(TheMessage)

Asthereaderhasnoticed,thejourneyoftheGoodNewsneverends,itjustleadstomoreresponsibility.Successfullytraversingawaypointonlyaffordsthetrekkeranopportunitytohelpothersnavigatethatsamewaypoint.Myfriendsandcolleagueshavecontributedtheirpersonalstoriesforthispurpose.

Acompanionbook:WAYPOINTS: NavigatingYourSpiritualJourney

byBobWhitesel ToprovideaclearermapofthisrouteIhavewrittenanimportantcompanionbooktitled:Waypoints:NavigatingYourSpiritualJourney(TheWesleyanPublishingHouse,2010).Thecompanionvolumeisdesignedtohelpthepersonwhoispresentlystrugglingwiththeobstacles,challengesanddetoursofthisspiritualroad.Thiscompanionbookisfornon-Christians,new-ChristiansandChristian-leadersalike.Ifyouknowofsomeoneonthisjourney,Waypoints:NavigatingYourSpiritualJourneyistheroadmaptheyhavebeenseeking.

THEWAYPOINTSCOURSEbyBobWhitesel

Additionally,tohelppeoplecometogetherandtraversethisroute,Ihavewrittena17-weekcoursethatcanbeusedinSundaySchoolclasses,homegroups,Biblestudies,smallgroups,leadershipcommitteesandhomefellowships.Thecompanionbook,Waypoints:NavigatingYourSpiritualJourney,providesanagendaforeachofthe17-weeks.Inthiscoursetravelerswillsharetheirexperiences,helpothers,makeanimpactontheircommunity.WeeklyagendasoftheWAYPOINTSCOURSEareincludedinthecompanionbook:Waypoints:NavigatingYourSpiritualJourney.

Formoreinformationoneitherthecompanionbookorthecoursesee:www.Waypoints-Book.com

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