Randy Harris and I recently held a Theology Lab at the Boerne church just north of San Antonio. During this lab I facilitated discussion about the interrelated biblical themes of mission dei (the mission of God), the kingdom of God, and incarnation. During the discussion of each Theology we also reflected on related Practices and First Steps in developing these practices.
Randy Harris led us in reflecting on the major tenets of the Christian faith beginning with “humanity” and concluding with a theology of “church” and the nature of spiritual formation. It was a transformative lab of church leaders!
During our final debriefing, one elder asked, “How can we summarize the content of this lab so others in the church can grasp what we have learned? What is our elevator speech?”
One leader suggested that the theme “walking with God” taken from the following article “Dream the dream . . . again” would best summarize the content. We present it to you as a summary of what was learned.
Dream the dream . . . again
Walking with God — personally, intimately, faithfully.
Being transformed into God’s likeness.
Absorbing God’s love, seeing His holiness, witnessing His faithfulness.
Shedding anger, losing lust, giving up personal advantage.
Reframing ego — from our glory to His glory.
Praying, fasting, worshipping . . . communing with God.
Bowing before Him, acknowledging that He alone is Lord.
Walking in community — personally, intimately, faithfully.
Journeying together with God to become like Him.
Putting on love which binds us together in perfect unity.
Loving the unlovable, accepting the unacceptable — within each of us.
Encouraging the young, listening to the old, growing together in Christ.
Expecting the miracle — bondage broken, addictions cured, bodies healed.
Confessing sins to one another — feeling freedom, love, and acceptance.
Walking on mission with God — personally, intimately, faithfully.
Emulating the ministry of Jesus.
Becoming God’s ministers of reconciliation.
Becoming spiritual friends with searchers and skeptics.
Equipping God’s people for works of ministry.
Doing church God’s way — not my way.
Training leaders to plant churches that plant churches that . . . .
Dream the dream . . . again.
To what degree does this Elevator Speech capture the essence of God and His will within the church?
Mission Alive
Gets my blood churning every time.