About a Boy
Creating Space
“Why the Church continues to decline in almost every metric is the great contemporary dilemma of pastors and Church leaders. One thing is certain: The root cause for the lack of impact and fruitfulness of the Church is a shortage of authentic disciples of Jesus. Growth requires discipleship-not just any form of discipleship, though, but passionate discipleship. And passion is a function of environment. We thrive when we fit, when we have a strong sense of belonging, purpose, and shared mission in a community. When the conditions of mission align, everything changes-instead of pulling and struggling along, we are practically propelled forward. Creating the right environment is essential if you are hoping to thrive and multiple. When we begin to discover environments where we can dream about our contribution to the world-when we begin to see ourselves as an essential part of God’s plan-we find passion and energy to live a deeper sense of purpose and calling. Our work becomes meaningful, and our relationships become powerful. With Sims and Robertson as guides, discover the transformative power of discipleship environments. Creating Space offers practical guidance on how to create environments where disciples of Jesus can truly thrive and multiply. Drawing from decades of ministry experience, the authors explore the challenges facing the modern Church and provide a compelling vision for nurturing authentic, passionate spirtual disciples who embody the love and mission of Jesus. The book emphasizes the importance of deep listening, accountable relationships, and intentional disciple-making environment that can ignite a movement of spiritual renewal within Churches and communities. Through Biblical wisdom, powerful narratives, and actionable tools, Creating Space equips leaders and laypeople alike to shift from maintaining programs to fostering transformative relationships.”
Oh the Places Spaces You’ll Go Sow
The Library:
The Bar:
The Dentist Office:
Snow Day:
Culture
“There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, ‘Morning, boys. How’s the water?’ And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, ‘What the heck is water?’”
Culture is always working…either
The Way’s Mission Statement
“Developing Disciples Who Declare & Demonstrate a different Way of Life to a Watching World
The Way’s Vision Statement
“To see every person on the planet go all-in with Jesus & the Church.”
What does Different, All-In Discipleship Look Like?
- Unconditional Surrender to Jesus
- Tenacious Spiritual Practices
- Authentic Community
- Sacrificial Generosity
- Tangible Compassion
Characteristics of Healthy Environments
Vulnerability
“It’s okay not to be okay.”
Church is not the space you go
you get right with God; Church is the space you go you get right with God.
Lost people act
.
“So they came and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day.” —John 1.39
Healthy Churches create space for people to
Religion:
& then you can us.
Jesus:
me & then you will .
Accountability
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ that you are serving.” —Colossians 3.23-24
Practices
Sabbath: Commit to Creating Space to attend worship the next two Sundays.
Prayer: John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer.
“I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low for You. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it. And the covenant that I have made on earth, let it be ratified in Heaven. Amen.”
Solitude: What is God calling you to? Are there environments you can create to more fully become all that God has called you to be and invite others to that as well?
“The best ability is availability.” —Bill Parcells
