Ask my brother

There are lots of people who have known me in different contexts. But my brother has a unique perspective on our growing-up years. We shared a bedroom and a lot of life.

So I find it interesting how practical and plain speaking Jesus’ brothers are. They speak to the Church—followers of their brother.

One (James) says “Faith without works is dead faith”. The other (Jude) says “grace gives no license for sin”. James requires fruit of the Spirit. Jude prohibits works of the flesh.

Apparently, the Jesus his brothers knew connected belief with actual down-to-earth behavior.

Recency, Frequency, and Amount

For three years I worked as Development Director for a nonprofit organization. ‘Development’ is short for ‘donor development’, or fundraising. It happens that my wife works as a donor database administrator for an educational institution.

There’s a report development directors use (and that database administrators provide) to assess the general health of their work. The report shows Recency, Frequency, and Amount.

Recency: how recently did each donor give?

Frequency: how often does each donor give?

Amount: how much does each donor give?

This report maps the engagement of a nonprofit’s financial investors.

Might this also be a good way to assess our own involvements? Like with our community? Our family? Our church? And most importantly, our God?

Recency: how recently did we give?

Frequency: how often do we give?

Amount: how much do we give?

These metrics aren’t only—or aren’t even primarily—about our money. They’re about our time and attention. Our heart. Our desire.

Culture Coaching

Much has been said about Jesus’ way of discipleship. His shared life with The Twelve has figured into many messages on Small Groups. Sending the seventy out on mission has been used in support of short term mission trips.

But we know Jesus also had brief conversations with people. He taught in the temple. He fed people and healed them. He modeled prayer and submission to the Father. And he made points by challenging religious leaders.

A variety of methods.

But there was a consistency in his message: “The Kingdom of God is like…”

In this way, Jesus was a culture coach. And discipleship leaders should be like him. Whether we speak to thousands or meet with people one-to-one, we describe the Kingdom and help people adapt to its culture—not as tourists, but as immigrants. At times, it might be a light touch, like an episode of Rick Steves or Samantha Brown. Other times it might be a deep, immersive experience that’s more like sharing a home and life.

Whatever the approach, our message—as worship leaders, pastors, teachers, small group leaders, and counselors—begins with “The Kingdom of God is like…”