I remember reading some years ago that Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry defined his coaching strategy as getting a bunch of grown men to do what they don't like to do so that they can achieve what they have always wanted to achieve. I think about that philosophy more every year. It came to mind again yesterday.
I was in discussion with some other church leaders about the difficulty of motivating people to walk more closely with Christ, especially in the areas of service and spiritual disciplines. It is a culture war. The self-imposed demands of schedules and the obsession with comfort and a consumer mentality have made it excruciatingly difficult for potential disciples to sacrifice time and energy for the mission of Jesus Christ. The problem is exacerbated by the difficulty of motivating people to take even a first step. If I am willing to just begin the journey of walking closer to Christ, I will discover the joy inherent and be moved to greater exploration of the adventure of discipleship.
Several areas seem key:
- Start small: take the 2 or 3 willing Jesus-followers and nurture them. God can use even a small band of devoted followers to turn the world upside down.
- Focus on the basics so that disciples are nurtured over the long haul. The development of discipline in attention to the Bible, in prayer, in fellowship and in worship is essential to spiritual health.
- Draw followers of Christ into service that challenges them. The inadequacy they experience at first can be a powerful motivator for them to learn more in order to thrive and survive.
- Exercise truth and love. Those you lead must feel assured that you have their back and want them to succeed.
This "back-to-the-drawing-board" viewpoint is refreshing to me right now.
Oh, yes. . . one more essential. Pray like everything depends on God, because it does.
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