the reluctant leader

So, What'd You Think About TheCall Nashville?

I'm not much of a mystic. And, I'm not convinced that we are on "the edge of the greatest revival in the history of the world" or "America's 3rd Great Awakening" or "the end of the end of the age" or anything else with apocalyptic or hyperbolic implications.

I am more of a "slow is fast" systematic discipleship gradual progress kind of guy, than a spiritual big-bang THIS is THE catalyst for THE greatest revival ever.

"So, what'd you think?"

I have been asked that question in reference to TheCall Nashville 5 times in the past hour - by my sons, my wife and 2 other pastors.

TheCall Nashville billed itself as "a fast not a festival." About 60,000 people showed up at Nashville's LP Field home of the Tennessee Titans NFL team,  for the 10AM-10PM 12 hour prayer meeting today, July 7, 2007 or 07-07-07.

I left the stadium after praying, worshiping and sweating for four & a half hours. I left because I have a million things to do before flying back to Manila in 48 hours, and because it was just too hot. I know that sounds carnal, but it's true.

Soooooo, what'd you think?

Yes, there were plenty of flag-waving, tambourine-shaking '70's charismatic throwbacks. Yes, there were countless references to unsavory Bible characters like Jezebel & Ahab. Yes, many who prayed from the stage screamed and yelled at the top of their lungs as if God couldn't hear. And yes, I'm still a bit confused with all the covenant and marriage/divorce imagery. (Why can't prophetic/intercessory people  speak in plain Tennessee English?)

But, there was plenty of passion, sincerity, humility and love for Jesus.

Did I mention the passion? The stadium was on fire with people passionate about Jesus. I hope it was contagious, because I think I could use more passion, not to mention humility.

So, what did I think about TheCall Nashville?

- I think 60,000 people praying, worshiping, repenting and seeking God together is a good thing.
- I think using an NFL stadium for prayer & worship is a good thing.
- I think 1000's of people praying for the salvation of their friends and family is a good thing.
- I think people repenting for immorality, porn, abortion and then a making a public pledge of purity is a good thing.
- I think people of different ethnicities, different denominations, different generations gathering together in unity to seek God is a good thing.

So, here's what I think: even if it does not turn out to be THE event that turns America and the world back to God, and even though much of it was not my style, my culture or my language - I still think it was a good thing. And, I hope I caught a bit of that contagious passion from those radical young people.

I thank God for TheCall Nashville and I believe He is answering our prayers. 

Q&A: Why Do So Many Fall Away?

I received the following comment/question in response to my "Discipleship is Friendship" blog.

Why do 80-90% of those making a decision for Christ fall away from the faith?

I am not sure how my blog produced that question, but here is my quick answer.

First of all I am not so sure about the accuracy of the 80-90% fall away stat - at least not here in our church in the Philippines - but whatever the percentage, something is wrong.

So, why do so many fall away from the faith?

1. The Message is Sometimes Incomplete.
When people only hear part of the gospel, it seems like they quickly fall away from the faith, while in reality they may not have actually had real faith in the first place. Too often what is passed off as the gospel is little more than religious self-help. If we want our message to be life-changing, then it must be Christ-centered, not man-centered. It must be powered by grace, not by human effort. It must produce repentance, not reform. It must led people to Christ, not to religious organizations.

2. Discipleship is Often Missing.
It sometimes seems like every month Manila is the staging ground for a massive "Salvation Miracle Crusade" featuring some suit-wearing international TV evangelist with a toothy smile and an honorary doctorate. If the point is to gather a crowd to preach to, then mission accomplished. If the point is to make disciples, then something is sadly lacking in most of the crusades I have witnessed in this part of the world. So, why do so many fall away? Because of a strange separation of evangelism and discipleship, where the gospel is preached but disciples are not made.

3. The Local Church is Largely Ignored.
Corporate worship and prayer, preaching and teaching of the Word, friendship and fellowship - God used all these aspects of the local church to strengthen my new faith. I don't think I would have survived very long as a new Christian without the help of the local church. I believe many fall away today, because they try to do Christianity alone , without the help of a community of believers - the church.

I don't think we will ever get to the point where 100% of those who profess faith in Christ endure until the end, but I am sure that if we preach the right message, if we make disciples, if we establish new believers in local churches, then most of those who profess Christ will follow Him for life.

Leadership & the Fear of God

Last week our church, Victory Christian Fellowship (Fort Boni congregation), hosted a political Q & A forum to allow a church member who is running for the Philippine Senate to answer some questions about her political past, about her spiritual experience and about her vision for the future.

My friend, Cito Beltran - nationally known radio, TV and print journalist - did his "straight talk" thing, asking some tough questions.

Here's a little background for my non-Filipino readers before I get to the point.

Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta is the youngest sister of martyred Philippine hero, Ninoy Aquino. The Manila airport and about a million schools and streets are named after Ninoy. Tessie, the mother of 5, served in congress 11 years before being elected to the Senate. She decided not to seek re-election after the infamous 2001 "dancing queen" scandal during the impeachment proceedings of former President Estrada. This humiliating political free-fall caused her to cry out to God in desperation. After a year of attending a small group Bible study led by some Victory people, she turned her life over to Christ and started on a new journey of faith. As her faith grew, she felt that the Lord wanted her to get back in the political arena.

That brings us to the Q & A forum at the Every Nation building in the Fort with Cito B asking the questions. Here's the question that prompted this blog:

CITO: "You served in the Senate before you gave your life to Jesus. Now that you are a Believer, you are seeking re-election. How does being a Christian make one a better senator?"

SENATOR TESSIE: "Being a Christian makes me fear God. Before, I often thought of me first. Now I just want to please God - to put a smile of His face."

Whether we are running for a political office, working in an office, or addicted to watching "The Office" - we all need a healthy dose of the fear of the Lord.

As long as we think "me first", we will constantly make dumb decisions. But as soon as we embrace the fear of the Lord, we will start making wise decisions because the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

Lord, please give us leaders - political, church, family leaders - who walk in the fear of God, who live to put a smile on your face.

(Since I am heading to the beach with my family tomorrow, there will be no new posts here until next week.)

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Other blogs about Philippine politics:

Click HERE for Joey B's blog, "Who Danced on National TV and Embarrassed Herself"'.

Click HERE for my blog, "7 Seconds Destroyed my Political Career".

Click HERE for my blog, "Warning: Politics!"

Q&A: Why is this Blog Called the Reluctant Leader?

 

Someone named Jonathan recently asked: “Just wondering, why do you call this blog the 'reluctant leader'?" 

I wrote about my blog title on my first post a few months ago, but I still get this question all the time. So, here is another shot at explaining my reluctant leader blog. 

The “reluctant leader” is simply a description of me, and the way I have always approached life and leadership. I am not sure it is the best way to do leadership; it’s just the way I do it.

Paul said it is “noble” to desire a leadership office or position. (1Tim3:1)

As noble as it may be, it has never been me. Maybe it means I am not very noble, but I much prefer the back row to the front row. While some are natural born leaders, following is more natural to me.

The pages of the Bible are filled with leaders who are the opposite of reluctant. They were eager, aggressive, bold and brave. King Saul. Apostle Paul. Joseph. Jacob. Joshua. Elijah. Elisha. Peter.

Not me.

I tend to approach leadership more like:
    - Gideon – hiding in fear
    - Timothy – insecure & timid
    - Jonah – the original running man
    - Moses – “O Lord, please send someone else.” (Ex4:13)

But for some strange reason, I seem to always find myself in leadership positions. Looking back, I am not sure how or why, but somehow I think it was usually God’s will that got me there. 

I stumbled on this quote yesterday, about leadership “sneaking up” on us:

“Early in our careers, few of us list ‘being a great leader’ as one of our goals. Leadership roles tend to sneak up on us, and suddenly others are looking at us, hoping to find reasons to follow our lead." (Lynette Lewis in “Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos”. Its my wife’s book, ok.)

I am learning not to run when leadership positions sneak up on me.