Chris Maxwell's Newsletter

Another Day Along the Way
Monday, October 19, 2009

Another day,
I enjoy introducing you to friends. This week, Gary Moon is that friend. And Gary introduces us to a new lifestyle. Welcome to Apprenticeship. Welcome to my conversation with Gary, who actually introduces us to a True Friend. Prepare to read, to learn, to enjoy. Prepare to be changed.

Gary, tell us about yourself.

For the past 16 years my primary work has been with Richmont Graduate University (formerly Psychological Studies Institute) where I now serve as Vice President and Chair of Integration.

We have two campuses-Atlanta and Chattanooga-and we offer graduate education in counseling with an integration of a Christian world view with professional practice.

I also serve as the director of the Renovare Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation and as an editor of the Conversations Journal. And in the not too distant past-thanks to Greg Hearn-I've done some fun work for LifeSprings Resources.

What motivated you to write Apprenticeship with Jesus?

The word discipleship has not aged well. When the term is used today it often conjures images of Sunday school classes where people sit passively and learn facts about Jesus-or perhaps about spiritual laws for witnessing. Maybe Jesus' original band of disciples come to mind, but if so, they are likely to be seen sitting in a circle around Jesus, passively, absorbing facts.

The word apprenticeship is used to emphasize the experiential approach that is taken in this book-and the way that Jesus actually trained his students. The focus is upon learning to become like Jesus by learning to be with Jesus as we live the moments of our day.

I believe that Jesus used the second approach-an apprenticeship training program.

But the main motivation was trying to help solve the problem of why Christians continue to look so much like non-Christians, why the lack of transformation seems to be the elephant in the sanctuary. I think that following an apprenticeship model for "disciple-making" helps to solve this problem.

What is the main theme of the book?

That it is actually possible to become like Jesus-to live a transformed life-if we re-arrange the way we live and enter into an intentional apprenticeship with Jesus.

How can we live those principles in our hurried, rushed, nonstop world?

I think it helps to realize the hurry not only is the devil, it might be the devil. As Thomas Kelly said it in his classic book Testament of Devotion: "Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing. It is triumphant. It is radiant. It takes no time but occupies all our time. And it makes our life programs new and overcoming. We need not get frantic. He is at the helm. And when our little day is done we lie down quietly in peace, for all is well."

But the question this quote leaves on the table is: How do I learn to live "from the Center?" I believe at least three things are crucial to live this kind of life. 1) We must have a vision that it is possible; 2) We must intend to live it-that is, we must desire to live a different kind of life, a with-God life, more than anything else; and 3) We must find the "means" to do so. The Apprenticeship book is about finding the means to live as Jesus would live my life if he were me.

How can local churches in our culture begin grasping the truth about Apprenticeship?

Dallas Willard has said that the two biggest obstacles to authentic transformation are: 1) caring too much about the opinions of others; and 2) caring too much about money. Along those lines, I think the first thing a local church would need to do is a fearless self-assessment, asking the tough questions, have we come to care too much about our reputation and about money. What I'm trying to say is that it is very important to get first things, first, to build on a solid foundation. An apprenticeship model cannot work if the foundation of a church or a person is sand, instead of solid ground. After that, and at the risk of seeming redundant, I think spiritual transformation is a matter of vision, intention and means.

What keeps us from going in that direction?

It is far easier to be frightened-by a well-meaning evangelist-into saying a magic phrase and then giving God a little of our time than it is to accept a personal cross and then enter into a life-long apprenticeship with Jesus. But the problem is, all the promises about abundant life, and living a joyful, peaceful and loving life assume we are living as apprentices.

How can we purchase a copy?

I thought you would never ask. Just kidding. I guess going through Amazon would be the easiest and least expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Apprenticeship-Jesus-Learning-Live-Master/dp/080106841X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254596961&sr=8-1


Give us your definition of Spiritual Formation.

I'd prefer to lower the microscope and define Christian spiritual formation. Christian spiritual formation is the process of allowing Christ to live His life through us-from the inside out-as we progressively surrender all of our insides to him. The classic spiritual disciplines are a primary means of being with God so that we can learn how to surrender our selves, all of ourselves, to him.

Now, formation is the easy part. To live is to be formed. We are formed while driving in traffic, watching TV commercials, reading books, just living life. But to be formed in a certain way-such as is the case with Christian spiritual formation, requires intentionality.

How do you personally practice the spiritual disciplines while keeping the attitude of Apprenticeship with Jesus?

The most effective thing I've ever done is to bookend each day with a two or three hour sabbatical time. That is, for the first and last two-or-three hours of the day I only allow myself to do things that are life-giving. That is what the idea of Sabbath means, doing things that restore the soul, things that are life giving. Bookends like this are a very helpful way for me to keep my natural "work-a-holism" in check and to make sure that each day has large blocks of time for being with God. Then, the real trick is to then attempt to live the in-between times with God, as His apprentice.

Tell us about your previous books.

As someone who likely has a pretty significant reading comprehension learning disability, I think I may have actually written more words than I've read. But the two most recent books I've written are Falling for God (Random House/Shaw) and Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls (IVP).

What else can you add?

Just thank you for the questions and for all you do for the Kingdom. You might be the coolest pastor I know.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: Becoming an apprentice requires more than being with Jesus; it ultimately requires us to allow him to live his life through us. And that requires a personal cross, a place where all pretence of self-sufficiency must die.
(Gary Moon, Apprenticeship with Jesus: Learning to Live Like the Master)

Another Night Near the Bay
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Another day,
I remember hearing their first CD. Excuse me. There first album. As I listened, U2 quickly became my band. Their musical style, honest lyrics, spiritual awareness, and Bono's voice all felt like something I needed, something I related to, something I would enjoy.

They were young - as I was back in those days. They addressed personal and global issues.

Their music has endured the years. Various styles and themes and topics have evolved. But they're still U2. Still fresh, daring, authentic, international, intentional, and spiritual. And still very, very good at what they do.

I've aged. U2 has aged. We've all aged. As I marveled at their live concert Friday night in Tampa, Florida, I nodded to more than the rhythm of their rock. I agreed with their convictions; I appreciated their confessions; I related to their questions; I admired their music.

Bono's voice speaks globally, kicking through cultural and religious barriers. Rather than only taking a position on political issues and condemning those who disagree, Bono takes action. He welcomes a world to join him in such action of change, of healing, of wellness, of rescue. His voice and heart invite the young and old to dance to that rhythm of action.

Merging ages and nationalities and beliefs. Stirring history and the present and the future. Mixing melodies and moods and mysteries. Mingling dares and doubts and desires. U2's songs capture stories, using the presentation of those stories to capture multitudes of people who seek stories of their own.

U2 does more than present songs. They review the history of a bloody Sunday, asking questions like, How long? They tell of the magnificent, invite listeners to walk on, confess of amazing grace, and dream of a beautiful day in a city of blinding lights where the streets have no name. U2 shouts of the vertigo, the boots, the one. With or without you, each song has its own mysterious ways of elevation until the end of the world. Audiences sing too, while dancing, taking pictures, clapping, and, as one man near us attempted to do, provide poor Bono impersonations. He seemed sincere as he sang, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

I continue thinking of the songs I've heard from U2 through so many years, and the songs I heard in Tampa. I'll continue responding to their music with questions of my own. What has allowed U2 to stay together so many years? How can one band provide songs which are heard in pubs, in parties, in ipods, in commercials, and in orthodox congregations? What actions can we all take to rejoice with U2 in their hope while responding in actions to their global plea for transformation?

When I left Tampa with my son Taylor and daughter-in-law Brittany, I continued hearing the music. I hope - wherever I go and whoever I'm with - to continue living a song of honest revolution on the stage of every day life.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Psalmistic Song:
(Psalm 40, For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

Another Day Along the Way
Monday, October 05, 2009

Another day,
We mixed food together. Very good food. We stirred music together. Very good music. We merged stories and experiences and memories and dreams and laughter and prayer. All, very good.

I smiled often. So many events roused joy during the celebration of Emmanuel College's 90th birthday. The 62nd Feast of Ingathering where ladies offered time and energy to raise money for students hoping to obtain a college education. A Women's Ministries luncheon where more smiles and conversations reminded me of a history of care and compassion. An Alumni Reception honoring workers and friends, highlighting the men's basketball national championship as their coach talked to us about more than trophies from a game played on a court. Meetings with board members who merge leadership minds with servant hearts. Food and music outside with an air of kindness. The dedication of new entrances, the crack of bats at baseball games, the shots into a goal at a basketball game, and a night hearing voices singing songs of truth from the ages of time.

So, in a weekend of many smiles and many songs and many faces and many calories, what could I pick as my favorite? As we honored the past and anticipated the future, what did I enjoy the most of Emmanuel's Homecoming Weekend? People.

When we saw the smiles on faces, those were smiles of people. When we heard the voices, those were the voices of people. With each pitch, each dribble, each note, each song, each prayer, each comment, each joke, each memory, each vision, each taste, each nod: those were experiences with people.

In these days of deep wounds, financial conflict, political bitterness, childish gossip, and church scars, it is best to remember that people are created in the image of God. It is best to forgive. It is best to build relationships with the construction material of compassion, understanding, authenticity, and encouragement.

Let us wave goodbye to resentment. Let us dwell on past failures no longer. Let us refuse to allow the assortment of personal preferences destroy the wonder of our mingling. Let us live like one body, one family, one kingdom, one team.

We can all sing together in this chorus of life. We can hit various notes, all in the key of togetherness.

As we mingle our age and our stories and ourselves, it will flow like a God-with-us moment. It will feel like an anniversary, a homecoming, a weekend, an Emmanuel.

Along the way,
Chris Maxwell

Powerful Statement: I believe God gave us all individual differences to trick us into community life. (Gary Moon, Apprenticeship with Jesus: Learning to Live Like the Master)