What is Your Profession?

In the movie 300 Leonidas and his 300 Spartans meet up with the Greek “reinforcements.” In this scene the Greek army is nervous because of the low Spartan numbers. Leonidas responds to their concerns by asking a few of the Greeks their professions. One is a sculptor, another a potter and another a blacksmith. Leonidas then turns to his 300 and yells: “Spartans, what is your profession?” The answer can’t really be typed but they respond with a synchronized war cry that is about as cool as any movie scene I’ve ever seen.

As I watched this I thought about myself. What is my profession? Am I a Starbucks supervisor? Am I a professional speaker? How about a preacher? No, it goes beyond that, deeper than that but not just for me, for all that answer the call. When Jesus says to you “Come follow me” he asks for total commitment. Total commitment even when the mission sounds crazy, even when it hurts, even when those around you don’t seem to understand what you’re doing.

How about you? What is your “profession?” Are you a butcher, a baker, candlestick maker or is it something more? Is there something deeper? Are you a committed follower of Christ, in it to the end?

Church planting is tough. Today I spoke with a fellow church planter that shut his church down and another that is considering doing the same. This was just TODAY! Pastors, we are in a war but the stakes are much higher than a piece of ground. Stand firm, fight faithfully. I’m proud to stand among you.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

10,000 BC Church Planter, how big is your circle?

I just watched 10,000 BC. For the most part it was a pretty straight forward action/suspense caveman type movie with a few bird dinosaurs, mammoths and a sabertooth tiger thrown in for the coolness effect.

There was one part however that really stopped me and made me rewind the movie to watch it a couple more times. It was the scene when the star and his older mentor (uncle?) are talking around the campfire. This is what his uncle tells him:

“A good man draws a circle around him, and in it he cares for his family, his wife and children. A great man draws a larger circle including his brothers, his friends, and protects them as he would his family. But then there is the rare man who has a special destiny. His circle extends beyond boundaries to include the world of innocents who lack the will to defend themselves.”

As I thought about it, this is true, very true.

THE FIRST CIRCLE

“A good man draws a circle around him, and in it he cares for his family, his wife and children.”

For the most part, every man (with the exception of social misfits and deadbeat dads) draw the first circle. This is admirable in today’s society but it shouldn’t be, it should be the norm. However, we live in a postmodern society and this is where we find ourselves, in a place where men are commended for doing what they should be doing anyway. Either way, if you’re doing this first circle, I commend you. Stay the course. Pastors, this is the baseline minimum goal for the men in your church, especially the fathers. This is the ideal, this is where lives are changed, when men begin to follow Jesus and He changes their hearts so they become the men, husbands and fathers that He designed them to be.

THE SECOND CIRCLE

A great man draws a larger circle including his brothers, his friends, and protects them as he would his family.

The second circle is the rare man. This is a man who because his back is strong, is able to carry a larger burden than just his own family. This rare man is one that I like to draw close to myself as a leader at Mosaic. This kind of man not only takes care of his own responsibilities but he also sees the big picture, recognizing that there are those who are not as gifted, capable or talented as he is and rather than despising those who are weaker (or even worse, exalting himself) he chooses to reach out and help them also. This rare kind of man understands concepts like “serving” and can be an invaluable member to the church leadership team.

THE THIRD CIRCLE

“But then there is the rare man who has a special destiny. His circle extends beyond boundaries to include the world of innocents who lack the will to defend themselves.”

I am willing to bet there are a couple of these men in your church. If you are a church planter, you are one of these men. Church planter, be encouraged. You are this type of rare man. Church planting isn’t easy, glamourous or well paying. It’s the opposite: it’s hard, dirty and tight. But you, church planter are that rare man, designed for this task. Your circle is extending beyond boundaries. Make sure it includes those who are far from God. Don’t just preach to the choir. I heard Tommy Barnett say once “Everyone you exclude from your circle of love will eventually hurt you.” That’s true, I’ve seen it in my own stupid decisions time and time again. Make your circle big, include the disenfranchised.

Also, keep your eye out for this type of rare man in your church. I have a couple and their wisdom, sacrifice and dedication to those that can’t help themselves is invaluable. Keep an eye out for them because these type of rare men recognize one another. Develop yours and extend your boundaries even further.

God bless you rare Man of God!

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.