It’s probably too early to tell, but my newly released book, The Missional Journey, really seems to be resonating with a wide variety of readers– from mainline denominations to Pentecostal. Many have told me they experience a deep, visceral, heartfelt response: that internal “Yes, this is what God has called us to do.”
The Missional Journey seems to be stimulating people toward action in a way that they are motivated about. People have told me that they like how the book is very holistic, coming out of a theological and biblical framework, but also how it moves them toward thinking in very practical terms: What’s the next step to help us move forward?
As we pray for the development of leaders, our motivation should reflect that of Jesus: the harvest fields themselves. We need to allow our heart to break for the harvest.
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:35-38
Note: part of a series from From Followers to Leaders. See Feb 21 blog entry for backstory.
The parking lot is the decision-making place. It’s not somewhere people want to stay and hang out. It’s the place where people make up their minds about whether they want to go on this particular journey or whether they want to go back home.
Not everyone wants to go on the hike. Although it would be great to get buy-in and full participation from everyone, the secret is that we don’t need it. We can choose to work just with those who want to go. Jesus called some who chose not to follow, and he went on with his ministry anyway.
Gary Reinecke
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