Field Number Four - Wider Networking

It is a joy to disciple someone new in the faith and watch them grow week by week. That discipleship is done in a small setting, perhaps even just one to one. Either way, it is Field number 3 in the Four Fields model.

As we journey together, inevitably questions and discussion about other Christians and the existing churches arise. Plus there comes a point when it starts to make sense to connect the people (or person) with other Christians. In other words kind of saying: "Hey - we are not the only ones trying to follow Jesus in this neighbourhood or area!". This is Field 4 - Wider Networking, effectively introducing the group to the concept of "church".

If you are discipling a small group of people who are gelling together and discovering a Jesus-led purpose between them, then the conversation will benefit from talking to the group about how they themselves can 'be church' in their own right, albeit small and fledgling. Nevertheless, a conversation about the wider church will still be necessary, and talking to the group about how they network with the larger Christian community. If discipling one to one, then introducing the person to other Christians (preferably locally) will be appropriate as part of their growth as a follower of Jesus.

Note though that these conversations come some way down the road of discipleship, as part of the last of the four fields. This is opposite to what many Christians in the West expect - they are used to being told to invite friends to church event X or service Y, i.e. introduce them to church (or the church community) as the very first step! In the Four Fields model it is about having the confidence to work alongside people ourselves, pointing and nurturing them towards faith in Jesus. As they discover Jesus and learn to follow in their own right, they can learn that they do not have to do that alone - there is a whole loving community to help support.

That support will be crucial as they embark on their own Jesus-led mission journey, finding their own Field Number 1 in which to make contacts ...

Radical

Disturbingly the past week has seen multiple instances of radical action that are characterised by extreme violence. False information - amplified on social media - has ignited scenes of angry mobs turning directly to violent and destructive means that has included intimidation, wanton destruction of property, and violence directed at whoever appears to be crossing their path. Politicians and commentators are right to draw a distinction between these acts and genuine protest.

Thankfully in recent days we have also seen a wave of radical action of a different kind. People of many backgrounds have taken to the streets not just to clear up the carnage left by the radical violence, but to radically stand peacefully in counter-protest. Their numbers have been swelled by ordinary folk who have taken the radical step to come out to protect community buildings and assets that contribute so much to our society.

For the follower of Jesus, the way ahead is and has always been radical. For to live such that we become like Christ is to be radicalised. Radicalised into a way of love which has no room for violence, intimidation, oppression, or attempting to exert control of others in any way. Exertion and use of force simply do not figure in the mindset.

Such a way will be a 'struggle', and coming against opposition will be a 'fight'. But such words as struggle and fight are used carefully because in the radical way of Christ they never translate into physical force or using any of the human weapons (be it mis-information, control, oppression, nor any of the multitude physical weapons mankind has ever devised). The real struggle or fight is in the spiritual, where the evil that manifests in the kind of evil we have witnessed on our streets is to be stopped in its tracks.

This past week we have observed extremism fleshing out in violent form. The way of Christ is also an extremism - but of a different kind. It fleshes out in loving form.

Prayer is the Job

We all know that prayer is important. We all know that setting time aside to pray, be it a regular rhythm, a time of prayer with others, or an occasional retreat, is vital for our health, the health of the ministry, and for spiritual breakthrough. Different people and traditions will do this differently: variations will be in style, regularity, time spent, quiet or loud etc. etc. There are infinite variations, but all will know that prayer (of whatever form) is important.

However, having prayed most will then go about the activity of ministry - whether it is organising and running an event, intentionally meeting people, sending out resources or whatever. The interesting thing is that in people's minds, and in the organisational mindset, these activities (which are all good and entirely appropriate) are seen as the key fulfilment of the 'ministry job description', but not the prayer! Rarely have I seen a ministry role description put right at the top something like: "Intentionally devoting yourself in prayer for the sake of the ...".

We all know that prayer is important ... and yet functionally do we not squeeze it to the margins?

Over the past year I have had the privilege to gear time, activity, and priorities differently. This has allowed a lot more time for prayer, most of it wandering and wondering as I prayer-walk streets of the estate over and over. Spurred on by the conclusions of other disciple making ministries, I have learnt that 'Prayer is the Job', i.e. that this time spent praying (rather than activity-ing) is right up there at the top of the role description. It deserves some of my 'best' time, in terms of when I am most alert and functioning, and even in comparison with what else I might be doing in those timeslots (e.g. planning or running a group).

Inevitably in ministry we meet people that reveals brokenness and spiritual blockage - both in individuals and at wider community/society levels. These fractures will not be healed, nor blockages un-blocked, by 'activity' alone, but by prayer and then prayer intertwined with activity. We therefore cannot afford to allow prayer to be squeezed to the margins. Organisationally it should be the priority in plan and mindset, with time allocated accordingly.

Ministry will for sure involve and require activity ... but first and foremost prayer is the job.