Evolution not revolution

Fresh from my Cincinnati learning community I've been thinking a lot about what I experienced.  Crossroads is a very active mega-church.  They began 16 years ago ago with a few couples that wanted to create a church where they wouldn't be embarrassed to bring friends.  Since that time they have grown to over 12,000 people on any given Sunday. They certainly have a lot of friends! Their challenge now is to transition a massive group towards the focused intensity of huddles.  It won't be easy.  However, they did a number of things I thought were genius:

1. They involved 250 influential leaders who have a heart to disciple others.  Here's a reality that's becoming clear to 3DM: not every leader wants to multiply!  Consider this important point when looking for people of peace.

2. They are giving time for process and dialogue.  Even the driven Bill Hybels admits that process is so integral to buy in.  Don't be afraid of questions, push-back and wonderings as people think about discipleship.  The unfortunate reality for the church is discipleship has become foreign.  It seems weird to us.  So you will get a lot of questions.  Allow for the discussion to unfold and keep in mind that there is a difference between an honest question and a resistant heart-just ask a Pharisee.

3. They are thinking EVOLUTION not REVOLUTION.  Discipleship is a process that unfolds not flips.  It's spiritual transformation so it requires time, energy and focus.  Pacing is also very important.  When leading consider both the group's development as well as the individuals.  The goal isn't to "finish the program" but to all Jesus to continue His "finishing" work on you!

A simple step to the right

The identity triangle is a powerful tool in helping disciples understand how to work from rest.  One of our big challenges is to rely on grace rather than self effort.  What happens when we don't is a feeling of exhaustion and failure because we can't "do it all right".

When you hear that in your huddle go to the "identity triangle":

Here's how a simple step to the right can help:

1. If they are struggling in obedience...it is likely tied to their identity.  Help them see they are fully acceptable in Christ.

2. If they struggle in their identity...it is likely tied to their understanding of God.  Do they see God as a harsh task-master?  Can they see Him as their caring Abba?

A lot of the challenges your people face will stem from one of these two things.

Difference between small groups and huddles

Here's an excellent post from Doug at 3DM: http://mikebreen.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/the-difference-between-huddles-and-small-groups-and-why-many-people-use-both/

One additional thought.  Small social spaces give us a place where we as leaders can notice those who despise "status quo".  In other words they are leaders!  They want to influence and impact.  They desire change.  They are the ones that ask "is this all we're going to do?".  So as you move about keep your ear tuned for those who are desiring something more, something deeper.  They may in fact be your next huddle.

The importance of going SLOW!

If your huddle is going to learn and grow...you will have to move SLOWLY!  That is so contrary to our culture's inflamed pace, but every learning study affirms this.  Look at these educational diagrams and notice how similar they are to what we are practicing in huddle with the circle:

For decades now we have known how important a reflective process is for learning, but have adamantly ignored it for convenience sake.  We delude ourselves that we are making learning happen by plowing through reading assignments and regurgitating disconnected facts on paper (ok enough ranting Mark!)

Lets not make the same mistake as many of our educational institution-let REAL learning run its full cycle through the process of reflection (using the circle).

Now to do that you and I as leaders are going to have to be vigilant in a number of ways:

1. Don't rush!  The goal isn't to hit as many kairo as you can in a meeting or get through the shapes in record time!

2. Review often.  Check back with people in and out of huddle.  Ask them what they are learning and noticing.

3. Practice ourselves.  As leaders we are busy people.  There are a lot of demands on our time.  FOCUS.  Find a way to note what God is teaching us and stay on it like a dog on the hunt.  Do the same for your disciples.  Stay focused.

4. Make fruit your aim.  Ask your huddle, "how will I look/act different if I really get what God is saying to me".  You'll know you are there when you see it!  So to the person who says, "Oh God wants me to slow down" ask them, "and what does a slowed down Mark look like?"  They may need time to really think on that...fine give them time.  BUT be sure to come back to it because the clearer they SEE it the sooner they will move towards it.

4 phases to teaching a shape

Learning doesn't happen in a flat line continuum, it looks much more like a slinky spiral.  Disciples are on this jagged journey of acquiring new skills which looks a lot like three steps forward and two steps back.  

In order for us to coach people through that jagged process we need to be both wise and patient. Wise in seeing how to apply the knowledge to their lives and patient with their efforts to learn it. Often times we become discouraged because people don't seem to "get it".  What we need to look for is that "one step" of traction that can propel them along the learning triangle (information>imitation>innovation). The 4 phases of teaching a shape is so useful because it marks some places where we can help disciples gain that traction.  


Here are the phases:


Phase one: You teach the shape (ideally in response to a kairos in the huddle)

Phase two: have them apply the shape personally (for example: using the circle go through a recent experience and write down your thoughts per each step)

Phase three: have them apply the shape to the ministry they are leading (for example: again using the circle prayerfully look at your ministry and write down what you observe/reflect/who you might talk with/a planned response to what God is showing you and who will be accountable to)

Phase four: lastly have them teach another person the shape.  What would be ideal is that they actually apply the shape to someone's life experience.  (for example: you are talking with a friend who shares about what God is doing in their life.  Invite them to walk through the circle with you as you teach them)

Signs of learning

Our aim as disciplers is not to dispense information but guide transformation.  This is very important to keep in mind because 3DM generates A LOT of information.  Over the next few posts I will share some key practices to help us focus on real life transformation.  Remember the learning triangle:

I've adapted this to include an important element of learning and transformation.  Remember in our culture knowing is vastly different from what Jesus referred to in the gospels.  For us, knowing can simply mean that we have memorized a bit of information.  To Jesus it meant are you living it?  So here is the adaptation of the triangle:

Begin with experiences.  This is ideal.  In fact what 3DM is built on is helping people focus on an experience we call "Kairos".  So rather than dispensing information through hand-outs or lectures...look for the experiences that have captured your huddles attention.  THEN apply a shape to that.  You can always apply the circle, but other shapes can certainly be taught and applied.  By beginning with experiences/kairo you have connected the huddle experience to life which hopefully leads to continued practice in life!  That is central to discipleship and transformation.

You can help begin with experience by asking questions like:

"what is God doing?"
"what have you noticed in your walk with Jesus this week?"
"what question/situation/problems keep popping up for you?"
"take a minute and share what is going on with you these days"
"take a minute to say how you are doing right now"
"what are you looking for God to do?"

By the way, I often cast these introductory questions with "take a minute".  Coach people to work with about a minute so we can quickly get things out there.  As they share, I am listening for what central theme might be there, or what the Holy Spirit is highlighting, or what shape might address a number of their experiences.

In my next post I will talk about the 4 phases of taking a shape to "innovation".

Working together: the call of discipleship

Hi folks:

You've been invited to this blog site because you are about Jesus primary call: making disciples!  I will regularly post various things I am learning as we journey on, but I'm sure others will add insights and information that will greatly help us in this quest of advancing the Kingdom together!