BINGE READ THIS BOOK? - Rediscovering the MPOE
(Read to the End- Special Invitation at the end)
It can be challenging for me to see opportunities or find hope in this current season. Like many of us, I experience disruption upon disruption, as well as a pronounced sense of being ‘stuck’ most days. The ebb and flow or feeling up and down has made me more reflective. My realization: things are hard, BUT on the bright side, my devotional times have never been so rich, I have made a habit of walking miles each day, and I have daily conversations now that I don’t think I was equipped to have a year ago. In addition, I am sure that I have never watched as many TED talks or listened to as many podcasts or read as many books as I have during the past several months. To be fair, my binge-watching is at an all time high too. (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime video are all winning.)
I have a small library. Nothing fancy, mostly paperbacks, but enough books to fill a shelf and impress guests. Over the past few months, I have had the chance to dust off some of the classics. I simply re-read and rediscovered some time-tested truths that I have forgotten. What books? Books like...
True Spirituality - Francis Shaeffer
Your God is Too Small - JB Phillips
Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
Be my Witness - Darrell Guder
The New Testament in Modern English for schools - JB Phillips
Peculiar Treasures, and Wishful Thinking - Frederick Bueckner
Out of the Salt Shaker - Rebecca Manly Pippert
As I have talked with many of you, I realized that I am not the only one. A return to the basic, foundational truths and key principles of our faith and ministry has been a viral trend in our mission.
A favorite book that I keeps being mentioned in various conversations, with different groups and settings is:
Title: THE MASTER PLAN OF EVANGELISM.
Author: Robert Coleman, Written: 1963
Overview: Coleman models Jesus’ discipleship methods in Matthew 4: 19. It's a classic and at last count has sold more than four million copies and has been translated into over 100 languages! This 160 page, 60+ year old book is a ‘must read’ for YL Volunteers, Staff, and Committee! The eight guiding principles that frame the book are so simple, I almost remembered it from memory and I haven’t read the book for years.
1. Selection
2. Association
3. Consecration
4. Impartation
5. Demonstration
6. Delegation
7. Supervision
8. Reproduction
To be honest, it’s hard to accept that this book wasn’t written by YL! Our methods are so embedded in its chapters. The whole thesis is that Jesus set the bar high for discipleship when he called twelve average men to follow him. Coleman distills that truth even further, “you find the most natural way to be with someone,” he said. “You’ve got to be with someone to disciple them. That’s the master plan.”
At the heart of our conversation around discipleship and the principles of 3-12-72, or the international context of map/tree/list, lies the reality that “Discipleship is not a gift of the spirit; it’s a command. It’s not some special call; it’s a way of life,” —Dr. Robert Coleman. I know I didn’t write this book, but I have sure benefited from it. Also, I enjoyed re-reading it because I am reminded to live out its biblical truths. If you are inclined to read or re-read it, I have an Opportunity for YOU!
SIGN UP HERE! THE MASTER PLAN OF EVANGELISM VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB!
Starting March 2021 - December 2021 (Brief hiatus over the Summer)
Train the Trainer model, you attend the Club then lead your own with your Committee and Volunteers
We buy the books for you and send helpful resources
Limited Spots! We have spots for 25 YL Area’s and Committees and two Regional Cohorts. So hurry!
If you are interested, just respond “I’m Interested!” to Blake Raney and we will give you information about an upcoming call to give you the overview of this initiative. This could be one simple, and fun way to reconnect to the DNA of the YL mission for your local areas.