[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Someone asked. Here is more.

The advantages or disadvantages that i am referring to are those related to defining discipleship so narrowly.

BridgesUS does not include teaching in abstract, written theology in our definition. The definition includes actions, practices, conversation with God.

Jesus did say “teaching them everything that I have commanded you.” So Jesus wanted his disciples to teach his commands. If you search the scriptures, i think you will find 7 or 8 commands of Jesus.

Discipleship in churches often includes teachings related to many topics: salvation, baptism, scripture, holy communion, worship, etc. BridgesUS is discipling people who are not part of a church community. We aim at the truly basic, first step.

So what problems might that create? Why or why not? What are the advantages of keeping it basic? Why might that be ok?

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Larry, the security most missionaries and Bridge Leaders require is usually less related to the people they serve and more related to people in positions of power in the locations they serve: governors, regional administrators, politicians, police, secret service, immigration officers, tax officials. People in power often try to use that power to gain benefit for themselves and feel jealousy when a missionary steers resources towards people even more sick and more poor. Showing kindness can be politically risky, even dangerous.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

I love your thought process

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

I walked into a Cafe and George Vamos was reading a book on the history of China. He started talking to me about how a missionary to China helped spark a war in which so many people died that it is one of the worst catastrophes of Christian mission until this day. After we chatted for over an hour, George asked me if I was willing to meet again. We have been meeting weekly for at least 5 years now. I guess God used George to show me whom I was called to love and serve.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Tara, I appreciate how natural the prayers are that you demonstrate for us. These are prayers of a Mother and prayers that arise naturally in conversation with God about your everyday life. I imagine that God enjoys listening.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Larry, I noticed how you spread hope through actions. You don’t just share words. You do things that help people, things that they are thinking about and want to have done, and not something you thought up that they might want.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

I appreciate how you describe that one activity leads to one conversation and then another. When we join people in their world and help them in their life situation, we have opportunities for conversations that would not happen in programatized group activities.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Larry, Thank you for praying! I am so thankful for your prayers because I know that you know me. You know the good and the not so good. And so does God. So thank you for praying.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Thank you for praying Tara! Thank you for each and every prayer!

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Love your idea here

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Tara, Great question! The BridgesUS answer is YES. Discipleship is not complete until the disciple learns how to make a disciple. Imagine if the answer was “no.” What would actually happen? Could it be that the result would be what we are seeing today in America?

• This reply was modified 1 month, 4 weeks ago by  James Milley, Chief Catalyst.

[James Milley, Chief Catalyst]

Some have used the metaphor of moving against the flow of a river as the effort it takes to live a life of listening to God in our society today in America. The book called Subversive Spirituality comes to mind