Disciples and Disciple-making (16)
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. Philippians 2.19, 20
Soul-friendship is ongoing work. It doesn’t begin lightly or merely conveniently, but as a sense of calling from the Lord. Soul friends belong to one another so that they become inseparable in love, even though they don’t always agree.
As Aelred reminded us: “However, once a friend has been accepted, he must be so tolerated, treated, and agreed with that, as long as he has not permanently departed from that foundation of friendship which we have agreed on, he will belong to you and you to him, as much in temporal as in spiritual matters, so that there will be no difference between you on affairs of the soul, the affections, your wills and opinions.” (Spiritual Friendship)
Soul friends will frequently disappoint or disagree with one another. But as long as love for God remains the foundation of the relationship, friends can work through their differences to keep the friendship intact. This is hard work, to be sure, but this is the way friends relate.
Such love is the mark of true discipleship. No one is perfect or knows everything with complete knowledge and insight. In friendship we need to make room for differences of opinion, but without compromising love for one another and for the Lord. After all, how interesting would friendship be if we were merely “Yes men” to one another. We need the challenges that come from differences—of opinion, understanding, and priority—so that we stretch one another and strengthen one another in the love of God and Christ.
Teaching and learning as disciples
I continue my conversation with Mike McQueen about discipleship and making disciples. You can listn in by clicking the link or the audio bar at the top of each issue of Pastor to Pastor.
Resources for Shepherds
Two encouraging articles came across my desk this week, the first an encouragement to plant strong seeds that will endure the wintry season which may be descending upon us (click here). The second, some encouragement that the secular and materialistic worldview is losing its grip on the minds of the world. Which makes for a good opportunity for us (click here).
Our ReVision series on “How to Pray for Your Church” is currently looking at how we can pray more effectively for our fellow church members. That means praying that we will do all things for edification, for our fellow church members and for our church.
Looking for a summer study challenge? Our in-depth study of Ecclesiastes is now available as a free download by clicking here. Ecclesiastes speaks pointedly to the situation of our world and shows us the importance of making sure that, in all we do, we’re living “under the heavens” and not just “under the sun.”
From the Celtic Revival
We need to make sure that our vision for what God has called us to, and has called our churches to, matches up with His vision of what He wants to build. Celtic Christians understood this, and so did Patrick. Though he had nothing in his pedigree or preparation to prepare him for his calling, when God called him, the compelling power of the vision moved him to act:
And I was not a worthy or fit person for what the Lord granted me, his minor servant: that after such calamities and such great burdens, after captivity, after many years, he should bestow on me, in relation to that people, so much that I had never hoped for or thought of in my youth.
– Patrick, Confession, Irish, 5th century[1]
Are we working up to the promise of our vision? Is our vision for life and ministry as large as the vision God holds out to us? This issue of Crosfigell will encourage you to make sure your vision lines up with the vision Jesus has for you, just as Patrick did.
You can sign up to receive Crosfigell in your email box every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 am (Eastern US). Just use the subscription button to update your subscriptions (scroll to the bottom of the home page).
It can be difficult to keep a church on course with the Lord, the sails of our vessel filled and trimmed with the Wind of God only. So many strange and threatening winds seek to capture the sails of our church and blow us off course. We may not be aware of these until we’ve already gone so far astray that it seems futile to tack back into the stream of the Spirit. Our book, Winds of Doctrine, can help you discern the spirits that are seeking to draw you and your church away from the Lord’s plan. Download a free copy in PDF by clicking here, and share it with others in your church.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this issue of Pastor to Pastor helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: We continue reading excerpts from the book, Revived! in our Read Moore column. Why not listen in? Last week’s Crosfigell letter included a challenge to greater spiritual vision. And in our ReVision series, “Pray for Your Church”, we urged readers to pray that all things might be done for edification in the local church. And new in our bookstore, Let God Be True and Enjoying God, both free to download and share, and Ecclesiastes: A Matter of Perspective, also in free PDF format.
Support for Pastor to Pastor comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Plummer, Litanies, p. 45.
