The Quest Continues...

I've deliberately not posted here for a few days, as I wanted the discussion of the last post to have adequate time to ferment and foment, which it certainly has.

We've proved to ourselves that nailing down the process of discipleship, or "Spiritual Formation" as Len called it, in a postmodern and/or de-structured context is difficult! Especially because none of us wants to try and develop a "canned" version of one-size-fits-all methodology. (Barf bags are available upon request)

Feel free to continue the brainstorming and exploration in the comments for this post as well. If you have the time, you can read the plethora of comments from the original post, but if not, here's some of the gems:

• characteristics: Unassuming (doesn't force him or herself on others); great listener; slow to speak; doesn't look for the sin in others but looks for the gifts in others; full of grace; when it comes to following the Holy Spirit, teachs by example; Trusts God always; very loving; realizes that spirituality is a journey not an event; understands that the Kingdom of God is for the here and now, not some future event; Believes that the Kingdom of God and it's King holds the answer for all mans ills.


• To me the heart of discipleship is a willingness to yield our identity to Christ. So I look for how is the person working through identity issues in a way that includes Christ... All kinds of leadership gifts are of value in discipleship... however you also need pastors, prophets, the odd miracle and other Christians to build Christ into people.


• Maturity is the ability to serve others from a secure center (ie. we know who we are and have nothing to prove).


• I like the idea of both good and bad things growing in a garden it reminded me of the parable of the weeds. (Mathew 13:24-25)


• Maybe we aren't the gardner, maybe we're the plants....


• Jesus also said we will know them by the fruit they produce. To me the end result of this fruit production is "change".


• But my definition is this: a disciple who is well along on the journey is living out "me for the community" instead of "the community for me."


• The concept that jumps out of me with the strongest emphasis is that one who is seeking spiritual maturity must learn to be the servant rather than the one to be served.


• As "leaders" or "gardeners" or "parents", all we can do is model someone living a life that seeks God and walks intimately with Him... As people see us follow Him, perhaps they will be inspired to do so as well.


• As a "gardener", I would see my role as one of safeguarding the way in which people treat and speak to each other, and taking the initiative to help set that ethos very early on in the group's history, and if required, to take people aside privately to help them realize if their words are causing death instead of life within the house group/church.

Thanks for your input, everyone! Keep on keepin' on!