My Journey of Faith Part 13
Following God's Leading to a Culture of Discipleship
When we moved to Washington, DC, we had already spent 35 years attending church in various parts of our nation. We helped wherever we could and tried as we might to reach the people around us, whether in the church, at work, or in any relationships we built with the world.
The church in D.C. was different to the extent that we practiced church discipline. There was an unavoidable awareness of what was known as "A Culture of Discipleship." This culture included entering into a covenant with each other, which we recited every time we partook together of the Lord's Supper. Included with the ten commitments mentioned was, "We will walk together in brotherly love, as become the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require."
I can only speak for the groups of people I walked with, and there, I found a willingness and a desire to be held accountable. I found it most refreshing. It spurred me to greater heights, discipling others and wanting to know Jesus better. There is power in the community when that community is committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and forsaking all kinds of worldliness.
During the nearly fifteen years we spent there, I was pleased to never hear any backbiting, gossip, or even a competitive spirit among the members. In my experience as a men's discipleship leader, I never had to admonish anyone, which is not to say people were without struggles, but they always came to me. In such cases, I saw my responsibility to lift and support them with scriptural truth to defeat the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Following God's Leading to Write a Book
With my discipleship skills energized by the power of the Holy Spirit through the community, I reached out to others more than I had previously. As I got older and needed to exercise more, I walked around the mall. Stopping at stands or meeting people, I sought to start evangelistic conversations. I shared the Gospel with many people but began to see the need to give them some written material to help them learn more about Jesus. Thus, the first book that came to my mind was The Jesus You Need To Know.
I spent months drawing on some of the most profound lessons I had learned over the years as I walked with Jesus. I spent the better part of two years praying, researching the Bible, and writing as an act of obedience. Then, I started to call publishing houses and enlisted as I might others to help pay the expenses. I was greatly encouraged as brothers and sisters in Christ were very generous, and it took only a short time for the total amount reached to be published.
I only called Christian publishers and began to feel from the reps that they were trying to sell me something, and it made me very uneasy. I did not write as a businessman but as one in ministry for Christ. Finally, I called WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. I did not speak to the rep on my first call, and when he tried to call me back on a Friday afternoon, I felt the need to spend the weekend in prayer. I was so glad I waited. The following Monday, I called back and spent 45 minutes on the phone. His first question to me was, Why did you write a book? I paused for a second and said, 2,000 years ago, a man died for me, and now I feel responsible for making Him known. He was pleased with my reply, and we discussed the struggles before me. He was helpful and not a salesman.
My prayers were answered when the book was printed, which assured me God was in the writing. My prayer was, "Lord, make people love or hate it, but please don't let them be indifferent." At work, I spoke of my book, and a long-time Christian, I could tell very knowledgeable about God's Word, went on vacation and told me he would read it. When I saw him again, he said, "That was a great book." Another brother asked me, "When are you going to start a Church and become a pastor?" Then some individuals would say things like, "It is too deep for unbelievers" or "I found your writing very hard to understand." I asked one brother who liked it, "Is it too complicated?" He replied, "It's not too complicated, its too convicting."
On one occasion, unknowingly, I met the wife of a man I knew from work. She started talking about my book, so I told her that's me; she replied, surprised, "You're the author of The Jesus You Need To Know?" It never amazes me how easy it is to fall prey to the misunderstanding that only certain types of people can do certain things.
Following God's Leading to Write a 2nd Book
Following God's leading and being moved by the condition of the Church, like so many men in history, I decided to write a second book. It is not meant to be critical. However, the life of a student and proclaimer of scripture is a life of seeing through God's eyes, which, of course, brings much criticism upon the person. It's not easy but I am okay with it.
Greg Treat was part of my men's study at Church when I lived in D.C. He is very passionate about his beliefs and is a committed Christian. He could arouse a group of men with no trouble at all. He is a great person and a very good friend and brother. When I asked him to co-write a book with me, he said yes immediately. The book has been at least three years in the making, and he is a lawyer and father of six. I am pleased to announce that I Will Build My Church - Jesus Christ will be available on Amazon next week.
The sinful condition of people is we make this world all about me. Whenever this condition invades the Church through worldliness, the Church stops being about Jesus Christ and returns to being about me.
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