The Challenge For The Day...
How do you develop character?
I have been thinking about character alot recently as I put some
thoughts on paper about church planting and leadership training in
Japan. Pastor Kishimoto has often told me that today's young men in
Japan "have no backbone". They don't believe anything strongly enough to
defend it, even in casual conversation. Of course , this carries over to
new Christians as well, although you would think that the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit would empower them to stand up for their beliefs. I
wonder if a large part of the problem is not a real lack of discipleship
in local churches. In thinking about character development, a firm
foundation and understanding of Scripture is primary. We definitely need
Living Theology. However, when this theology and Bible teaching is
divorced from service and accountability relationships provided in some
kind of discipling or mentoring setting, real character is not forthcoming!
This summer's GRIT team studied alot about mentoring and it's impact on
believers. It was definitely a challenge to me to work on my mentoring
skills and think about how it should be taught and applied in a church
planting setting.
So, that's what I'm thinking about...what are you learning these days?
1 Comments:
I don't think the not knowing what they believe applies to "new Christians" only. There are many people who have been Christians for a while who have no clue what they believe. I have been learning that I am incredibly weak and need to obey Christ more closely..in however He leads me.
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