Jeff Noble's Blog, page 20

Reflections on Senegal

I had no idea I’d go to Africa this year. In fact, I had communicated to people over the years that I didn’t feel “called” to Africa, that I felt more affinity with western and Eastern Europe. I’ve walked streets in Poland, China (and a big wall), Dominican Republic, Canada, Spain, Montenegro, Slovenia and Turkey. The last two summers, I drank in the history and witnessed the bustle of Istanbul. It was in places like these that I felt most “comfortable” and “called.”

In fact, if you’d asked me in January, I would have thought I’d be back in Istanbul this year. That was the line I was walking, the path I was on. When you’re on that line, it’s hard to imagine stepping off. Everything makes sense, and you can see what’s ahead.

Funny how God redirects.

Prompted

This year, I was prompted to consider Senegal (blog here). A friend in our church is getting his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, and over the past few years has suggested along the way that I visit his home in Senegal. I always nodded politely and said, I’d love to, that would be nice. You know how it goes.. platitudes. I wasn’t reflective and didn’t pause to give it real consideration. I thought it was one of those “be nice to the pastor” moments. However, I began to pray weekly for his dad who was a minister there.

[image error]For some reason it lodged in my heart in late spring. And yet I waffled. Then there was a lunch with a Northstar member who was back in Blacksburg but would be returning to serve on Mercy Ship’s, the Africa Queen. Guess where the ship would be this fall? Senegal.

It was my last needed nudge. I knew God was up to something. It was time to allow an intersection on my line. I booked my tickets over the summer. I had no idea what my purpose was – I just knew God was up to something. So I intended to go and experience, explore and examine. I committed to live sensitively. I wanted to listen and look for what God was doing and how my life and church might possibly be invited to intersect with Senegal.

10 days later, I’m on returning to the U.S. on a flight over the Atlantic. My heart is filled with gratitude,and my head is filled with wonder. And mainly I’m supremely grateful. If I could, I’d bust out in praise in the plane, but I’d wake my snoozing cabin mates. Here are some lessons learned.

Who needs saving?

[image error]From Dakar to Saint Louis to Richard Toll to Karlact to the Fatalah Nature Reserve, I covered Senegal in days. I was a few miles from Mauritania and Gambia. I met so many people, so many workers, preached in a Senegalese church, toured the Africa Queen, visited Goree Island and walked with lions. (I’m not lion! Blog post to come soon.)

Everywhere I went, I was the only “white guy,” with few exceptions. And yet I was not self conscious, because I was so warmly welcomed and hosted. This culture that is steeped in Islam, its people – treated me as an honored guest and smiled and waved and wanted to talk. From waitresses to cops to the fruit stand ladies, it’s true that Senegal is known for its hospitality.

We need saving.

Through it all, I saw deep spiritual lostness. Senegal is another country caught in the grips of a religion that teaches and advocates ritual over intimacy, legalism over grace. And yet, it is not the country that needs “saving.”

It’s people – including me, that needs saving.

In the dusty and littered places of Senegal, I realized afresh that I need saving from the idea that I’m “taking God” anywhere. I learned this lesson years ago, but this experience rebranded me. God is the author of life and creator of people, no matter what land they live in. He loves all people and desires them to know Him. Where people are, there God wants to be in their midst.

I need saving from any idea that I have anything to offer other than the love of Jesus Christ. The day I think that my oratory, my words, my lame dad jokes. my Mac, my fantasy football – anything that I love or that makes me unique – is what people need, is the day I am deluded.

People need intimacy with God through a faith relationship with Jesus.

The challenge is to present that spiritual reality to a people whose history and culture and now religion reject Jesus as God.

I stood in a village where a young Christian couple have moved to reopen a school. They want to tell the village about Jesus, but the region is hostile to any god but their Allah. You can’t just go stand on the street corner and begin preaching, not if you want to have a lengthy ministry (or life). You don’t worry about websites when you don’t have running water. No need to invite friends to church when no church exists. When I considered all that they have left to reach others for Jesus, I was reminded of Jesus’ response to Peter who asked about sacrifice:

“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:29)

Some of the people I met in Senegal will be those who receive great reward.

I have also been sobered by Jesus’ words in verse 30 – “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” I wonder if that is some of us in the church in the West? So much to pray and think about.

This is where Jesus is real.

He must first be real – very, very real – to YOU. Only your confidence in the reality of the Son of God can sustain you in days when the only gospel presentation you’re able to make is smiling to a neighbor, of refusing to steal a door when it’s left open – because Jesus followers don’t steal doors. (Yes, this happens). A door is better than a piece of sheet metal. In a religion whose ethical teaching doesn’t penetrate the heart, you have to leak Jesus through love over a cup of baobob juice or tea and demonstrate the ethics of Jesus in everyday life.

Jesus is real even beyond your confidence in Him. One afternoon as I stood in the northern Senegal sun slowly baking, I wondered how in the world a God-movement could start in such a place? How confident was I that God could reach these people? I began to face the uncomfortable inner truth. Not very.

And yet in those moments, bumping over dusty roads marveling at the donkey and goat population, shrieking for joy when I saw animals I’d never seen except in National Geographic.. in those moments, I worshipped. There are Senegalese Jesus followers there, or I wouldn’t have been there! God is moving.

Prayer

I think it really began when I began to pray for my friend’s dad weekly. Prayer softened my heart and made me open. And in those moments of weekly prayer, a work of God germinated in my mind that led me from intercession to interest to involvement.

And I’m so grateful for God’s kind cords. He drew me in slowly, gently, and now a part is tied to Senegal. I have my hand up

Discipleship Story: David Smethurst

[image error]Discipleship has played a huge role in my life, especially in college, as there have been numerous older and wiser men that have poured a lot of time into my spiritual growth. I honestly do not understand why the Lord blessed me with so many of these relationships that seemingly just fell into my lap, but I am incredibly grateful for them.

In my experience, discipleship has taken a few different forms. Sometimes there were days where I had something I was struggling with, and so my discipler and I would process through it and discuss what was going on and where my heart was at. Other times, discipleship consisted of going through a book or through Scripture and discussing topics and figuring out how I could apply it to my life. Both forms were necessary for me at different times and both helped me to grow in my faith.

Three things I enjoy about discipleship

For me, there are three things that I enjoy the most about discipleship. First, discipleship provides a way to learn from more mature and wiser men on what it means to follow Jesus practically. From figuring out what major to choose in college, to learning and applying sharing my faith, to discussing how to find a church after college – all were discussed in my discipleship relationships and were crucial to my growth.

Discipleship also provides an opportunity to be vulnerable and to talk about what is really going on in life. It can be easy to try and go through the struggles of life on our own without asking for help. But through discipleship, it gave me the chance to be honest about what was going on and it allowed me to work and pray through challenges with someone who both cared and had the wisdom to speak into the situation.

Finally, discipleship is meaningful when you take what you have been taught and impart it to others for the sake of them growing in their relationship with Jesus. I had the opportunity to disciple a guy in college, and it was one of my best experiences. Often times I would use lessons that I had been taught in previous years by my discipler and pass on what I had learned to my disciple. We talked about life or discussed a Biblical topic and thought of ways to apply it to specific areas in his life. Through these times, we formed a special friendship that I won’t forget.

My hope in writing all this is that anyone nervous or cautious about discipleship can maybe see how it has made an impact in my life and be encouraged themselves to jump in. Discipleship can be challenging, and it takes commitment and vulnerability. But it has been a very rewarding experience for me and has been completely worth it. So go for it… you won’t regret it!

Also in Discipleship Stories


Introduction: Discipleship Stories


Discipleship Story: Phillip Slaughter


Discipleship Story: Kyle Pfeifer


Discipleship Story: Jeremy Woodall


Discipleship Story: Ben Coulter


Discipleship Story: Tucker King


Discipleship Story: Greg Crosthwait


Discipleship Story: David Smethurst

View the entire series

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But Senegal

Istanbul

I thought I would be in Istanbul again this year. I wanted to go. For the last two years, I’ve been in Istanbul in the summer, visiting and helping make connections. That city has been on my heart from a history and a faith perspective.

But  Senegal

It was no accident that I met Andre. He was a Ph.D student at Virginia Tech from Senegal. He’s one of the most joyful people I know. I was able to connect with him a few times during his time in Blacksburg, and he was always so welcoming and friendly. I loved hearing stories about Senegal, and he usually concluded with “you should come visit some day.”

It was one of those things that you don’t think twice about. Except I did. And as I thought twice, I double-checked with Andre. Was he serious? He was. His gracious invitation led to a growing urge to actually make it happen. I tried to talk myself out of it, but this past year, it became a drawing. I can’t explain it fully. I knew I was supposed to go.

I found out that Andre would be back in Senegal this fall, for only a few months after finishing his PhD. He’s engaged and would be getting married early 2020 and moving. So if I was going to go, I would need to go this fall so that he could show me around, introduce me to family and friends and help me make connections. One of the developing ideas was to explored possibilities of networking, and I sought to understand why I felt God leading me to Senegal.

Mercy Ships

Another friend was in the States this past spring for a break. She is a nurse and serves with Mercy Ships. Over lunch one day I learned that her Mercy Ship would be docked in …. wait for it… Senegal. That was the last nudge I needed. [Read their post about being in Senegal].

Travel

[image error]So I’m traveling. It’s been an adventure. I left Roanoke on a train (amazing way to take a trip. Can we say “dining car?”). I explored the Capitol, schmoozing my way into the Rotunda for a quick look around and photo, thanks to a friendly tour guide and then spent the rest of my time at the Museum of the Bible. It was simply incredible. You MUST see it.

After recently teaching through Genesis, I really enjoyed the sensory and multimedia experience of The Hebrew Bible (a walk through the Old Testament). Then it was time to attempt the transit to Dulles. I tried two scooters to get back to Union Station, both were dead, so I hoofed it. Then it was two metros and a bus, arriving at Dulles in time to check in, grab a burger and board my flight to Senegal.

I’m grateful. Hopeful. Expectant.

I’m currently in Casa Blanca and wishing I’d seen the movie at least. My plane seat mate was a great host during the flight and kept me company. He was flying here to spend time with his parents. My plane for Senegal flies out after lunch.

And yes, I’m traveling by myself. So prayers are appreciated all around.

It’s still a bit crazy to me. I keep saying, “But Senegal?” And yet, there continues to be nudges this direction in affirmation.

When was the last time you got nudged to do something, go somewhere, give or connect? Can I encourage you right now to take a step toward nurturing that nudge?

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10 years of ministry (and lots of coffee)

This July I celebrated ten years of ministry at Northstar Church. Time has flown. It is my longest tenure of any ministry/job I’ve ever had. It’s been rewarding, challenging, growing, encouraging, and has required a lot of coffee. I’m grateful for continued reports that drinking coffee is good for you. I’m more grateful though that following Jesus wherever He calls is the best thing you can do with your life. That has proven true for moving to Blacksburg.

[image error]In July 2009, we moved our family here from Monticello, Arkansas. Sam was 14 and Adelyn was 10. Back then it was middle school and elementary school. Today Sam has graduated from college and started serving on Young Life staff in Salisbury, NC, and Adelyn is a junior at Christopher Newport University. Barak Obama had been President for six months.

Though we had lived for 14 years in Monticello, eight of those years were spent as the BCM Director at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and six of those were spent as the founding/lead pastor of Journey Church. When I was called to serve as pastor of Northstar Church in Blacksburg, I had no idea that it would be my longest ministry investment.

A lot has happened in ten years!

I look back over the growth and challenges that I’ve been presented with at Northstar, and it is surreal. I’ve loved serving as pastor in a collegiate community where I’ve continued to be able to minister alongside of college students. I still deeply believe that they are not just “college students” – a demographic to be marginalized. They are young adults, and the church is blessed and advanced through their enthusiasm, vision and zeal.

Early on at Northstar, we experienced significant growth, and we had a season of internal rumbling about whether we were going to be a “college church” or not. At the time, I drew a line in the proverbial sand and declared with passion that we were going to reach college students. I didn’t see it as an “either-or” but as a “both-and.” We lost a few families as our college population within the church swelled. We grew from about 125 to over 800 one Easter Sunday, and we only had two full-time staff members at the time. Our ministry to every demographic grew from that point on. Families, singles, older adults, and internationals all call Northstar their church.

We simply focused on “being the church.” We stole the phrase “Don’t go to church. Be the church.” from an ad we saw in Outreach Magazine, and over the past 10 years, we’ve made that phrase into our ministry strategy.

Ministering in this community has been challenging and exciting. With five four Starbucks in such a small area – along with several wonderful, local coffee shops, it’s an easy place to enjoy slowing down and building relationships with people in spite of a fast-paced environment. I love that we have four distinct (and beautiful) seasons here.

I have grown in leadership especially in the past 10 years. I’ve grown in patience. I’ve grown in my love for the church. I’ve grown in humility (if I proclaim that, can I say that I’ve grown in it?!). Mostly, I am more grateful than ever to simply be a follower of Jesus Christ. I may have served 10 years as a pastor of Northstar Church, but it is His people, His church, not mine. I’m supremely grateful for this temporal assignment.

Six observations after 10 years

[image error]Regular attendance. Things have “settled down” at Northstar since our early explosive days. Our high attendance during the school year now is about 500, but we never see the same 500 people all at one time. It’s like herding cats. In the past ten years, there’s been a significant shift from what the average church member (whether college student or family) calls “regular” attendance and what most church leaders consider regular. These days, regular attendance seems to be defined as at least twice a month. I don’t consider that regular. It’s more sporadic to me. If you only show up 1/2 the time in a month, that means you’ve skipped church for six months in the course of a year.
Expository preaching. I never experienced anything else but expository preaching. It’s what was modeled for me. It’s the method I embrace by conviction. 10 years of ministry in a liberal university community has solidified my commitment to preaching God’s Word line by line, chapter by chapter. We live in a biblically illiterate culture. I am humbled and amazed by how simply preaching the text without adornment or eloquence but with joyful confidence has tremendous impact on both young and old, Christians and non-Christians. The best thing I can do as a preacher is  to study the text, let it speak deeply to me, prepare a message with humility and preach the text.
The name of Jesus. I’ve become bolder and more thankful for the name of Jesus. Over the past ten years, one of the things I’ve noticed is how Christians default to talking about “God” but are hesitant to mention the name of Jesus . It has been an intentional strategy in my sermons and personal discipleship to encourage believers to talk about Jesus. People in our culture are apathetic when we talk about “God.” He’s an amorphous concept. But try talking about Jesus. You’ll see quickly that the name of Jesus is powerful by the reaction of others.

“This Jesus… There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11, 12)

Leadership. This is probably the primary area I’ve grown in over the past 10 years. I’m growing as a leader. And I see that the church, more than ever, needs joyful, visionary, humble, Christ-centered leadership. The church needs good management and good organization and administration too – desperately. Yet leadership – both personal and corporate – is irreplaceable. I must not be shy about leading. I find that I get discouraged (and so do the other leaders around me) if I am only responding to needs and crises. People drift when they are not led. I must stay fresh, stay near to Jesus in intimacy and lead well.
Give ministry away. This is the main leadership philosophy of our church. Call it delegation. Call it equipping. Call it leadership development. Whatever you call it, it’s imperative in ministry. I have embraced this principle since my days as a young adult and singles minister in Garland, Texas. The last 10 years in pastoral leadership has only reaffirmed this as indispensable biblical priority. If I do not give ministry away, if I do not invite others into and empower them for ministry, then I am hoarding power and influence (and I’ll eventually burn out trying to do it all). Giving ministry away may take more time and even be disappointing occasionally, but experiencing others leading well because you’ve guided, trained and released them into ministry exponentially impacts the church.
Discipleship is non-negotiable. In this tenth year of leading our church, I’ve been tenacious about leading every single member through a foundational discipleship initiative. It’s designed to encourage each of members to walk in humble intimacy with Jesus. We begin by looking at John 15 and proceed to two spiritual disciplines: Bible study and prayer. It’s not intended to be an exhaustive discipleship course (it’s only six weeks), but it is intentional and strategic. More than ever, I believe that the key to raising up mature followers of Jesus must take place outside the Sunday morning worship gatherings as Christians gather in small groups or in one-on-one discipling relationships.
Rainbows are real evidences of God’s promises. I don’t think I’ve ever lived in a place that I’ve seen so many rainbows. It seems like just the moment I need some encouragement or a reminder of God’s faithfulness, He provides a spectacular rainbow. Especially the last three years, I’ve noticed them all the time. Our church even experienced a rainbow moment related to our building campaign!

To my Northstar family

I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be your pastor these past ten years. You gave me authority and trust almost immediately upon my arrival, not even knowing me, and I am forever grateful. You’ve tolerated dad jokes, Arkansas Razorback Hog calls, Mac addiction and permitted me to be me. You’ve loved my family well. You’ve walked with us through cancer. My kids remain committed and involved in the local church where they are. There is so much there to rejoice in. Thank you. Here are ten more things I’m thankful for:

I am grateful for your hunger for God’s Word.
I am thankful for your willingness to let me innovate and experiment. When I canceled our worship services that first December and moved them to evenings for a tradition called December Nights, you were intrigued and patient.
[image error] You allowed me to bring in a comedian one summer… and allowed us to rent out a theater for a screening of Star Wars for an outreach event. Both events were.. meh, but we laughed (not at the comedian), learned and continue to try new things.
I am amazed at how you made planting a new campus look almost effortless, and under the leadership of Dave Farris, Northstar Pulaski  is growing and thriving. (Pray with us as we lean into launching new campuses!)
We’ve watched in awe as God has grown our church family deep and wide.
After 16 years of meeting in a middle school, you’ve walked forward in faith to build your first ministry center, and we’ve celebrated together as we’ve seen God bring in over $3 million so far!
You’ve studied Luke (two years), Kings and Chronicles (2 years), Acts (2 years) and Genesis (2 years) with me, as well as four summers of “Think to Change.”
We’ve made a commitment to training leaders for the future and have seen over 25 interns in the past 10 years grow and move on to be dynamic leaders in churches, business and ministries.
I’m grateful and amazed each year as college students continue to flock to our church and how well they integrate with all our families and other demographics. You open your hearts, homes and even wallets to love on these young adults.
You make much of Jesus. You have truly become our mission statement “Be the church.” Your invitational and incarnational lives reveal daily your love for our Savior in ways that provoke curiosity, intrigue and genuine interest by those who don’t know Jesus (yet) as their Savior.

Finally..

I never dreamed I’d call Virginia home. I still miss Arkansas. There are some things that a move can’t replace. I miss being close to my parents, family and friends. I miss the network of pastors, churches and campus ministers I had there. And yet, Blacksburg is home. I recognize that I’m on assignment here. God led us here, and God could lead us away. I am on assignment here, but in these ten years, it’s been a joyful privilege to call this place home.

The video below was shown last month in church. It’s been ten years of ministry.. and lots of coffee.

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Discipleship Story: Greg Crosthwait

I met Greg when he was a college student in the Dallas area. I was serving as youth intern and later as Minister of Young Adults in Garland, Texas at the time. Greg and his family were members. He and I connected quickly, and his inquisitive and eager desire to grow in his relationship with Jesus was a significant encouragement to me as well. He rose in leadership and began leading a college Bible study in the church and consistently demonstrated a teachable heart. Many years later (we hadn’t kept in touch well), I was ecstatic to discover he was a minister in the Anglican Church and is the current planting priest at Church of the Incarnation in College Station, Texas. He graciously agreed to share an entry about discipleship: 

Who is your teacher?

[image error]That’s probably the best discipleship question that I’ve heard. Who is your teacher? And it’s not necessarily a question about Christian discipleship. Christian or not, everybody has a teacher.

“Well, I don’t have a teacher,” some may say. A good, exploratory response to that claim would be, “Who told you that?”

That’s a question that may be familiar to you if you’ve read or remember God’s conversation with Adam in Genesis chapter 3. “Who told you that you were naked?” That’s the second question the Lord God asked the man and the woman after they had eaten of the fruit they were supposed to leave alone. The first question was, “Where are you?”

Who told Adam and Eve to hide in the first place? Perhaps they were following the impulses of their new teacher, “sin,” having become captive to it by following the teaching of the tempter.

Everybody has a teacher. And we belong to the teacher that we obey. The teaching we consistently practice is the teaching that runs our life. Paul writes about this in his letter to the Romans. He says, “The question before you is, What will be your master? Will it be sin—which will lead to certain death—or obedience—which will lead to a right and reconciled life? (Rom. 6:16, The Voice)”

The questions we ask

This can be a helpful exercise in discovering who our teacher really is. We can ask ourselves questions like these. What are my habits and patterns? Do I habitually worry? If so, why? Am I fearful? Again, why?

These aren’t questions intended to make us feel guilty or shameful. In fact, if we feel guilt or shame we can ask ourselves this question. Why do I feel guilt, or shame?

If Jesus is our teacher, we receive his forgiveness and grace, and learn to practice things like , “Don’t judge others.” We learn this applies to ourselves, too. Jesus is judge. And he laid down his life for our forgiveness. So my life change process under his direction does not have to be driven by shame or guilt. So that grinding weight falls away. And holiness becomes more beautiful and alluring.

Jesus also teaches us that we don’t have to worry. We don’t have to be afraid all of the time. Why? “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

That’s from Psalm 27, a poem that King David wrote thousands of years ago. In the book of 1 Samuel we can read about all the ways David learned this about God. In the process, we can learn from the lessons he learned. Then we can apply them to our lives. This is the ministry of Scripture in the life of the Christian disciple who trains under the teaching of Jesus.

Scripture, rightly received and understood, leads us to Christ. Jesus saves us both eternally and in real time, in our daily lives. He saves by being the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. He is also the good teacher who not only teaches the way but is, himself, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

Also in Discipleship Stories


Introduction: Discipleship Stories


Discipleship Story: Phillip Slaughter


Discipleship Story: Kyle Pfeifer


Discipleship Story: Jeremy Woodall


Discipleship Story: Ben Coulter


Discipleship Story: Tucker King


Discipleship Story: Greg Crosthwait

View the entire series

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Review: “Openness Unhindered” by Rosario Butterfield

[image error]“My feelings fell with the fall.”

That one succinct statement encapsulates Rosario Butterfield’s excellent work that further details her journey of sexuality from heterosexuality to lesbianism back to heterosexuality. As a former professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University, this book follows here previous biographical work The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey Into Christian Faith. When I read her first book, it was enlightening to explore the struggle of a non-Christian who became a Christian and then re-embraced homosexuality.

Openness Unhindered picks up where Secret Thoughts left off, and it is beautiful. Butterfield is candid and vulnerable. She displays her commitment to biblical truth even as she weaves words in ways that demonstrate her love of language and communication.

There are seven chapters, and five of them are truly significant contributions.

Conversion: The Spark of a New Identity
Identity: The Flame of Our  Union with Christ
Repentance: The Threshold to God and the Answer  to Shame, Temptation, and Sin
Sexual Orientation: Freud’s 19th Century Mistake
Self-Representation: What Does It Mean to Be Gay?
Conflict: When Sisters Disagree
Community: Representing Christ to the World

Anyone wanting to know how to relate with Christian humility and grace to those struggling with sexuality issues will find her work a help. Those struggling with same-sex attraction or unwanted homosexual desires will be encouraged. Those who find their identity in their sexuality – whether heterosexual or homosexual – will be challenged by her explanations of how sex was never meant to define our identities.

The way she unpacks the entire sexual orientation fallacy force fed to us by Freud is challenging. I found myself wanting to disagree with her initially, but after careful reading, her points are valid and merit more comparison to scriptural truths. She explains:

“because of the unwitting deceitfulness of the sexual orientation paradigm, we are much more likely to be numb to heterosexual sin and excessively focused on homosexual sin.. Heterosexual blindness makes a Christian ignorant to the very sins that may destroy him; homosexual approval makes a person unable to enter into a gay neighbor’s life in a way that God may use to spare him from God’s wrath. Both take Christian witness out of the game.”

Her chapter on community is unrelated to the issues of sexuality that the rest of the book delve into. Rather, it’s a wonderful description of what true Christian hospitality can look like, This chapter was so good that it belongs in another work that expands on how Christians can be better, literal neighbors.

I spent 2017 doing a lot of reading on the issues of sexuality, particularly homosexuality. I believe Christians must be well-read and good listeners in this area. First we must know what scripture clearly teaches about human sexuality. Second, we must be prepared to demonstrate a life of grace and truth to our culture, family members and friends. Our sexual struggles are as old as mankind and aren’t going away soon. In a culture that lacks intelligent, civil dialogue, it’s past time for Christians to shine brightly as ministers of wisdom, truth and love.

Note about Amazon

You may not have heard, but in July 2019 Amazon made the decision to begin banning the sale of books that communicated anything related to coming out… of the gay lifestyle. Books that advocated reparative therapy (a disputed treatment) or books that promote the possibility of transitioning from a homosexual to heterosexual lifestyle were removed. If you try to buy Openness Unhindered from Amazon, you’ll notice it lists for $26 as a paperback and is unavailable except from third-party sellers. That’s why you’ll want to go to christianbook.com to get your copy for $12.99. I’d also encourage you to make others aware of this horrid censorship of a Christian worldview of sexuality by Amazon.

Further Reading

Review: “Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God” (7/29/2011)
Redefining marriage (5/11/2012)
Nuff said: A week later with the same-sex ruling (7/3/2015)
Top Books I Read in 2017 (12/29/2017)

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Discipleship Story: Tucker King

I first met Tucker when he was a college student at Virginia Tech. He emailed me one day to ask about the possibility of shadowing me or being mentored. After meeting with him, we brought Tucker on board the Northstar staff as a Ministry Assistant, and he quickly demonstrated a sensitivity and aptitude for ministry that was a deep encouragement. I’m grateful that he agreed to share his story about discipleship:

I’m probably one of a hundred college guys that Jeff Noble has discipled since he came to Northstar 10 years ago. And I’ll start off by saying, that season of intentional and refining discipleship changed the way I experienced God during college and the way I’ve viewed discipleship ever since.

[image error]I did the whole church-hopping thing Freshman and Sophomore year going where friends were going, and finally decided to commit to a church home at the start of my Junior year at Tech. (Side note, making a church your home is incredibly important at any stage. There are no perfect churches so find one that you can pour yourself into fully and by doing so you’ll be filled up completely.)

I was interested in learning more about vocational ministry, so after I joined Northstar, I asked Jeff how I could get more involved and soon after he began discipline me and a good friend of mine.

TEACHING

From my time being discipled, I saw two fundamental things a disciple-maker is responsible for. First is to teach, or more specifically, to teach others who will teach others.

“..and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

As a college guy, I remember being asked questions and being pushed in ways I just hadn’t before. I was asked to share about my affections towards God, to verbally affirm a friend’s walk out loud, to not fear challenging popular theology when it doesn’t match God’s Word and to go beyond the surface level life that’s so easy to hide behind.

MODELING

For a lot of discipleship relationships, this is where it stops. However, looking at the way Jesus discipled shows us something pretty different than a weekly meeting. Perhaps even more impactful than his sermons or other teachings was the way he modeled a faithful and obedient life.

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Perhaps one of the most memorable discipleship moments I have from college was sitting around the table during a Northstar staff meeting and hearing Jeff challenge the staff and volunteers with the idea that we can’t ask our church to make disciples until we are modeling it first.

I got to see the impact of this first hand. Even though I was learning from Jeff regularly, those things would have fallen flat without also being invited into his life. I got to see how he led his family, how he dealt with real challenges and difficult circumstances and how he personally valued his relationship with Jesus.

Since college I’ve had the opportunity to disciple about a dozen guys both as their “minister” and as a business-person connecting with them before or after work. I’m thankful for the example I had in Jeff showing that making a disciple goes beyond a weekly meeting or teaching someone how to live and is best when following Jesus’ example of inviting them into real life.

Also in Discipleship Stories


Introduction: Discipleship Stories


Discipleship Story: Phillip Slaughter


Discipleship Story: Kyle Pfeifer


Discipleship Story: Jeremy Woodall


Discipleship Story: Ben Coulter


Discipleship Story: Tucker King

View the entire series

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Why do Christian women struggle with friendships?

Women friendships

As I write about women friendships – as a dude – the expression “where angels fear to tread” leaps into mind unbidden. It seems a cautionary warning to proceed carefully. Indeed, my writing is sidetracked when I decide to discover where the phrase comes from. The blog entry in front of me is one I feel needs to be written, but I fear writing it.

So.. a sidetrack it is:

The phrase comes from a line in a poem. The full line is “For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Am I fool for attempting this blog entry?

Discipleship Story: Ben Coulter

Ben Coulter is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas. He has been featured here on the blog before. He is a former student of mine from BCM days in Monticello, Arkansas as well as serving as a co-pastor at Journey Church in Monticello. He is an incredible singer (search for his music on iTunes!) and helped me with a song I wrote about the Razorbacks. If you haven’t read the introduction to this series,  please check it out here ! Here’s Ben’s story:

[image error]Making disciples is a passion of mine, and it was a passion that was passed on to me by those who discipled me.  I long to see others grow into mature, obedient disciples of Jesus through becoming a part of discipling relationships. I was forever changed by discipleship, by being shown how to really follow Jesus.

After committing my life to Jesus I began attending the University of Arkansas-Monticello. The day I walked into the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) building would change my life forever.  It was here that I would meet some of the people who would help mold me into who I am today. Jeff Noble, the BCM director at UAM, began to invest in me not long after I got involved at the BCM. Jeff would take me and some other guys and intentionally disciple us through studying Scripture, prayer, reading books, discipleship curriculum, etc. It was here that I learned many of the spiritual disciplines that remain with me now around 15 years later.

But it was in the life on life portion of these relationships that made the most impact on me. It was here that I found it what it really meant to follow Jesus. Paul writes to the believers at Corinth to “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”  (1 Cor. 11:1) Discipleship is more than just meeting in a group for an hour a week. Discipleship is showing someone how to follow Jesus in their everyday life. Jeff was a great example for us younger guys to follow.

We were able to see how Jeff interacted with his wife, his son, and his daughter. We would go out to eat with Jeff. We would play video games with Jeff. Jeff showed us that we could be true disciples of Jesus and do “normal” things. The key is bringing Jesus into these “normal” things, and Jeff showed us how to do this. One example comes to mind for me of how Jeff showed me how to follow Jesus and live in the world. Jeff and I went to watch one of the Matrix movies at the theater in Monticello. Jeff had shown us how to use the first Matrix movie to share the Gospel with others. We were anxious to watch this sequel. As we watched the movie, there was a sexual scene that we didn’t need to watch. Jeff told me to get up. We walked into the lobby for awhile, so we wouldn’t fill our minds with what was on screen. In that moment, Jeff was showing me how to keep myself pure in the world. I’ll never forget it.

Another lasting impression that Jeff made on me when it comes to discipling relationships is meeting in public. Jeff would take just me, or a group of us, and we would have our discipleship group time in public at a restaurant in Monticello. This was so impactful for me. I was able to get comfortable in reading the Scriptures, praying, and talking about Jesus in public because of this. The people around us were also hearing what we were talking about. It was really a simple concept, but very impactful. Since then, I’ve always tried to meet with the people I’m discipling in a public place.

Even though that was way back in the early 2000’s, when I need direction and wisdom I still reach out to Jeff. Discipling relationships will change your life, and they never end. There is a bond I have with those in whom I’ve been in a discipling relationship that can never be broken. We are to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2) as followers of Jesus. We do this in discipling relationships. We labor for each other that we may all know Jesus more and that we all may be disciples who make disciples of all peoples. I’m thankful for Jeff, and all those who have labored for me to be a disciple who longs to know Jesus more and make Him known by making disciples of all people.

Also in Discipleship Stories


Introduction: Discipleship Stories


Discipleship Story: Phillip Slaughter


Discipleship Story: Kyle Pfeifer


Discipleship Story: Jeremy Woodall


Discipleship Story: Ben Coulter

View the entire series

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Nuff Said: “Ordinary” Sundays, Methodists circa 2014, Top 35 Christian blogs and the Youth Pastor Accidental Screenshare

Nuff said is a collection of posts/articles from around the web that has drawn my attention in the following ways:

Made me think
Made me wonder
Made me feel

Here’s what I’ve noticed lately:

Get Ready for the Most Super Ordinary Sunday Ever!

I think Trevin Wax nails it in this post about the temptation to promote every. single. Sunday. as being “the best ever” or “you don’t want to miss!” Church staff unfortunately want everyone to show up each Sunday (and then some). There is a significant difference between what church leaders consider “regular attendance” (every Sunday) and what church members now think of as regular attendance (2x a month). That’s worth another post for another day.

But let’s face it. Not every message, every song, every service will be spectacular.

Brothers, we are not hype-machines.

He offers three thoughts that are worth repeating here. (I encourage you to click over and read the whole article):

Let’s not overemphasize the dramatic results of one incredible worship service and underemphasize the long-term results of faithful, ordinary church-going.
Be thankful for the days when God performs open-heart surgery on us through His Word.
Let’s not downplay the ordinary Sundays – the beauty of God’s service to His children on non-holiday weekends, the Sundays that don’t stand out on the calendar.

Is a Way Forward for a “United” Methodist Church Really a Way Forward? 

This was an article written in 2014 – before February’s disturbingly close affirmation of biblical teaching about sexuality. In a vote of global clergy, 438 voted in favor of a traditional, biblical interpretation of scripture and 384 voted against (53% to 47%). That close of a margin portends deep fissures for the future.

Asbury Theological Seminary President Timothy Tennent began a series of articles about the U.S. denomination’s “way forward” proposed by some of their leading pastors, including Adam Hamilton, Mike Slaughter and others. He advocates “holy contention” and says that the proposal by these leaders borders on inevitable compromise of biblical teaching and does not preserve denominational unity.

It’s powerful to consider his prophetic voice five years before the events of this past February and well worth reflecting on again.

The Top 35 Blogs Christian Leaders Need To Continually Read In 2019

Do you read blogs? You should.