Barnabas File

I was reading along in Reggie McNeal’s Missional Renaissance when I suddenly stopped and said, “I recognize this!” McNeal was writing about Kingdom-based leadership and the need to shift from a “train and deploy” approach to a “deploy and debrief” approach. He wrote, “Movement leaders can and must still be prepared this way. Let’s start with the seminary clergy-training level. Eventually, the strangulating hold of accreditation will further relax to allow training regimens to be offered alongside deployment, employing delivery systems that permit people to stay put in their communities of relationship and leadership influence. Those wanting theological education to prepare for church leadership roles will no longer have to disrupt their families, move and live as transients for three to five years to secure their academic prize, and then have to try to reestablish life and relationships in some new place. Online technology is already creating nonresidential alternatives to the typical...

In an article in Perspectives in Religious Studies over a decade ago, Baptist historian Walter Shurden commented on the organic tension in Baptist life between individualism and community. In the article, he affirmed that “Baptist life historically affirms the theme of ‘the individual in community.’” In reality, we Baptists have too often emphasized individualism (me and Jesus) over being part of community. We have tended to think more about our personal relationship with God rather than being part of the community of faith. This is one of those situations where it is not a choice of one or the other; we need both. After I wrote this past week on the need for community in the Christian life, I received some responses asking, “What does this look like?’’ I think that most of us realize that, as followers of Christ, need to part of a community where Christ is present. Matthew 18: 20 says, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." So how do we bec...

My friend Amy Mears and her husband, David Webb, lost their eight-year-old daughter Emmie in a traffic accident last Wednesday evening. A beautiful memorial service was held Saturday at Glendale Baptist Church in Nashville where Amy is co-pastor. I did not know Emmie. I believe that she accompanied her Mom to a TCBF planning meeting several years ago because she was too sick to go to school. I do know something about Amy and her ministry. Handling private grief in a very public setting will be a challenge for Amy and David, but an incident that I observed early in Amy’s ministry at Glendale causes me to think that they will find a way to do it with grace and authenticity. The day that Amy Mears and April Baker were installed as co-pastors at Glendale, I arrived at the church at the same time that Amy, David, and their family arrived in their van. Out of the van stepped four children who were ready for the big day. Danny was dapper in white shirt and tie. The three little girls—Emmie, L...

One of my seminary professors said on more than one occasion, “I would trade all of my seminary degrees for the opportunity to have spent three years studying under the Master.” I always considered this a rather sentimental thought, but I certainly understood the spirit with which it was voiced. I have also wondered if it reflected on his experience of being part of the faculty of a theological institution! The seminary that Jesus conducted was certainly more incarnational than institutional. There were no facilities, no other faculty members, and only occasional access to books. It was an itinerant school that was in one place today and another tomorrow. I have a feeling that chapel was held quite often and that the potluck fellowship meals were rather boisterous. The key element was, of course, fellowship. Jesus built a community around himself. There were various rings of intimacy but deep and enduring relationships were being built. In the years ahead as the surviving disciples bec...

An editorial entitled “Seminaries Under Pressure” in The Christian Century makes the following observation: Seminaries and their constituencies should use this moment to consider new pedagogical models as well. Take, for example, the longstanding disconnect between the practical fields of ministry and the academic disciplines of Bible, theology, ethics and church history. Curricular discussions have focused on how to help students integrate the practical and theoretical aspects of study, but most efforts end up maintaining the division and placing the burden of integration on the students more than on the curriculum and the faculty. Is it time to organize courses around the life and mission of the church? The last sentence is something of an accusation, isn’t it? The writer is implying—or stating—that theological education is NOT currently organized around the life and mission of the church! Although this may be true in many situations, I have had the opportunity for the past six year...

My friend Mike Young’s response to my last post was this: “What could we call these young leaders to do for churches and organizations? Rather than merely complaining about where these organizations are failing them, can they approach these organizations with things they have to offer?” Mike has a good point. Although I am sure that there are any number of things that young leaders can offer, here are some ideas. First, they can bring new life to ministry. With their personal energy and relationship skills, they can give a boost to the external ministries of a church or organization. They can make connections that an older generation may have missed. Second, they can provide a fresh perspective, especially on worship. Although there are some unchanging elements of worship, real worship is always being renewed to speak more effectively to a people immersed in a particular culture. Although we regularly sing anthems, gospel songs, and praise hymns in worship, each was created in a partic...

As Christian leaders, we often say that we want to nurture a new generation of leaders and involve them in the life of the church. On several occasions, however, I have personally observed questioning and criticism of the decisions and leadership of young adults who have been asked to assume responsibilities in the local church. Although the desire is sincere, too often the reality is that we are too set in our ways, uncomfortable with change, and want everything to be “perfect” (according to our standards). Calling out and empowering young leaders is a painful process, both for the young leaders and the church! They will never be ready unless they try, succeed, and sometimes fail. In Missional Renaissance , Reggie McNeal points out that “Jesus deployed his disciples long before they were ready.” From personal experience they learned how much more they needed to learn from the Master and were motivated to do so. In order for young adults to become leaders, they need three things. First...

John Wooden, the great UCLA basketball coach is reported to have said, “When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.” Our preference might be to have time to put long-term plans in place, but this does not always happen in the real world. Opportunity will come (if we keep our eyes open), so how can we as individuals and the church be ready to take advantage of it? This is not strategic planning but tactical response. How can we be ready for opportunity? What can we do to be prepared? I suggest several ways. Know who you are. We need to have answered the question, “What is our life purpose or calling?” Each of us as individuals has a purpose in the world, one that is distinct and needed. The same is true for churches. In every community, churches are called to carry out specific ministries and to work with particular people. They will only know this if they have sought to understand and articulate their purpose. Know what you have to work with. What are the gifts, resources, and ab...

The chamber of commerce in our county just named the pastor of a local non-denominational megachurch as the “business person of the year.” He was cited for growing the church from 150 members to more than 6000 in thirty years. The citation goes on to say, “Pastor (name deleted) is a true business leader. In a downturn economy, [this church] is continuing to flourish by expanding its facility and adding new jobs.” I have spent some time reflecting on this announcement. Since I know many people who attend the church and have heard the pastor speak several times, I have great respect for their ministries and their witness to the community. They help a lot of people. The pastor is a great communicator and a good leader. My first response was rather negative because I have an inherent distrust of CEO leadership in the church. I also am always concerned when business philosophy (not business practice) is at the center of a congregation’s life. Is the church a business? No. Should it be run w...

Prior to last night’s Super Bowl, there was considerable discussion about the commercial purchased by Focus on the Family featuring Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam. As you have probably heard, Mrs. Tebow chose not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with Tim, although doctors warned her there might be complications with the viability of the baby/fetus (choose your term) and her own life. Critics called on CBS to “Cancel Bowl Sexism.” CBS chose to run the commercial with the Heisman Trophy winning college quarterback and his mother. Viewers did not hear a message about abortion but were directed to the Focus on the Family website. The conflict over the Tebow ad did sensitize me to other advertising on the broadcast. I started to count—but finally gave up—on the number of commercials that demeaned women, made fun of healthy marital relationships, and encouraged the use of alcoholic beverages for any (or no) reason at all. There were commercials I liked. The E*Trade babies are always ...

No commentary, I just have to say this is my favorite picture of the post Super Bowl celebration--quarterback Drew Brees sharing the victory with his son.

Men have problems asking for help. Well, that will come as no surprise to most of us! In an interview on NPR’s Talk of the Nation , columnist Amy Dickinson of the Chicago Tribune shared a story about a group of men who found a way around that problem. Dickinson told about a group of men who found themselves without jobs in the current economic downturn. They started meeting once a week for coffee, then three times a week, and finally set up their own office where they could meet daily. The purpose of the arrangement was a bit unclear at first, but it became a way to encourage each other in seeking work, consulting jobs, and other professional development. According to Dickinson, the key was that they saw it as a professional relationship. Evidently, the group needed each other but they also required an excuse other than it being a social gathering! The columnist also noted that women can get through personal or professional crises better than men because they value relationships and us...