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Last night we talked a bit about this passage, and the insight felt like something very worth sharing.  Many of us have heard this story before.  It’s an illustration of the Kingdom of God….a parable that points to what Jesus is bringing about.

There are two main messages we often hear, associated with this story.  Both miss the point by quite a bit.  Usually, when these verses are quoted or read, we hear one of two messages:

1. “Well done, good and faithful servant..” Usually it’s only these words we hear.  Often as the goal of their life…a romanticized notion of arriving at the pearly gates, and to have Jesus with a long flowing white robe (kinda like a Snuggy, actually), offering us our own Heavenly Snuggy, and ushering us into a giant cloud-themed living room saying “Well DONE, good and faithful servant.”  God finds that we’ve accomplished His “work” well in this lifetime, and we’ve proven ourselves faithful despite all of the temptation we had to work to avoid during our days on earth.  Our emphasis is on being “done”, and now being able to get on with what all Christians really want to do, which is to say lounging around drinking coffee and chai, and playing musical instruments from the 2nd Century….basking in the sunshine (which is actually the light radiating off of Jesus), and working on our son-tan. 🙂

2. “You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things!”  When we hear these words, many times today it’s in relation to a “prosperity gospel” type message.  That if we are faithful with the few bucks we make right now, by giving tithes/offerings sacrificially, donating to worthy causes, and managing our affairs with Jesus at the center….God will no doubt increase our wealth, our success, and our empire of sorts.  This is very popular.  We with little money would love to believe this, because it’s an easy path to success and financial peace (right?).  Those with lots of money love to believe it, because then it’s easier to rest easy with lots of money, as it is God’s reward for the sacrifices already made and done with.  But the truth is, you could be incredibly faithful with the little bit of money you have right now….and a tornado could still hit your home, and insurance refuse to pay for much.  But don’t tell Joel Osteen. 🙂

The Truth is, the story remains a parable about the Kingdom of God.  The words “Well done, good and faithful servant…” do come at THE END OF THIS LIFE, and are immediately followed by the next phrase “You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things!”

We will be given tasks/work in the Kingdom of God, just as we have many tasks at hand right now.  If we are found faithful with what we’ve been given in this life, God will respond to that in the coming Kingdom!  Not by giving us a large crown or mansion, or a “time off” couch and Snuggy….but with more responsibilities!!!  A word given negative connotation by an earthly existence that is often way too imbalanced….but how glorious will be our responsibilities when God has been revealed fully, and made all things New!!!!  Our tasks as priests and rulers will continue, and take New forms in the ages to come….I look forward to it all….and pray that God finds I’ve been faithful with what I’ve been given here and now….

One of our speakers was Carey Casey, from the National Center for Fathering.  Seemed like a very nice/fun guy, with an impressive arsenal with which to name drop.  One of the “real life” members of the “Remember the Titans” final game.  He’s met with President Obama, and several other famous people I didn’t write down.

He talked about an obvious dilemma for any of us who want to engage an entire family that attends our church.  Many times, the father takes a “back seat” to the spiritual development of the children, and often parenting altogether.  In recent days, I’m hearing more and more of these statistics, as I’ve attended the local “Men’s Fraternity“, and will be heading on a “Wild At Heart” weekend later in October.  I’ve not had a huge interest in these types of things before.  I was raised much of my life by just my mom, and don’t really enjoy hunting, playing sports, or working on cars as perhaps I should.  I usually end up cringing at statements like “Real Men enjoy/are wired to ________”…usually because it puts me out of the group.  But as much as I poke fun at some of the overly macho enthusiasm, and apparent need to associate every analogy with sports, hunting, or some other obviously masculine endeavor…I recognize there is truth in some of what they’re saying….men need to be called on differently than women.  We need to be reminded that it’s not about money, strength, “success” as defined by the world, and it’s not something that happens automatically.  Being a father, a husband, and a man God is using….takes effort, practice, Love, humility, etc., and dependence on/seeking God.  Ministries like this ARE reaching men across the country…and God can use that.

So, once we’ve gotten their attention, how do we engage fathers (myself included) in the spiritual development of their families and children?

By reminding them, there is a purpose to being where they are.  By ministering to their marriages as a top priority.  By helping dads to pursue unconditional love.  Teaching/guiding fathers to “coach” their children.  He used the illustration of asking a father, “Suppose you were asked to be assistant coach for your child’s team?  Think of the energy and enthusiasm you would put into preparing your child, and how they interact with the team as a whole…etc.  Now…how much energy/enthusiasm do you put into your child’s eternity (which has already begun)?”

Good point.

To model the life we want to guide other men toward, in Christ.  To encourage a fatherless child ourselves…he reminded us of the words in James 1:27…the call to look after orphans and widows, for this is religion God accepts as pure and faultless.  He reminded us to enlist other dads in all of this as well…referring to the well-known proverb about iron sharpening iron.

I look forward to connecting with other young fathers in the next years specifically…..on purpose…and without having to grunt or shoot an animal to do it.  But if they wanna shoot something near me….that’s cool.  I’ll bring a book.

Cannon and Rush came out to do a tandem interview on the topic of “Yeah, but…”, offering practical ways the “D6” concept was happening in actual churches.  Because of the back and forth, and the difference between their churches and ours….I didn’t take a ton of notes.

They reminded us to be intentional about involving children in God’s worship, Word, and work each week.  I can more than get down with that.  Something about children being visible during worship motivates coming before God with more humility/childlike-ness.  At one of the worship services, a motion song was done, that I honestly had very little motivation to wave my arms around during.  However, the same song was done at another time with a small group of children on stage, and I jumped right in.  Not because one service was more “genuine” or whatever than the other….but simply seeing children enjoying the physical expressions of the song…led to a more natural involvement in those expressions myself.  And that’s not even scratching the surface on what it offers both the Christ-community and those children involved. 🙂

They gave the acronym “HOME” as we ask ourselves how we can realistically start to see changes/movements in our approach to ministry.  To begin and desire “Healthy Homes”.  To pursue and instruct “Ongoing Obedience”.  To provide and resource for “Meaningful Milestones” in the lives of those moving from child to adulthood.  Finally, to be “Engaging Everyone”, connecting our ministries and efforts to and between every generation/background present.

Much of this goes against popular thoughts (at least thoughts that I’ve heard) that are content to label as “healthy” churches that are growing in number….when all the growth is happening with young adults, making friends with more young adults, who are inviting their young adult friends. (seriously, young adults, did you know you were a hot commodity among churches?  I say demand a gift card and free babysitting, at least. 😉  )  On the flip side, I’ve also heard some speak of churches filled to the brim with only elderly, content to let those churches fade quietly into the sunset.  I think both sides of this coin are unhealthy, and at worst damaging to a community seeking all that God has for us.

At this point in the conference, I was getting just a little weary of all the bragging about how “God is at work through a movement called D6”, and wanted to say that D6 was just our latest (pretty good) attempt to join God in what He is already moving toward and desiring to accomplish.  I think it had something to do with the sales pitches for all things D6, and the relentless advertising by this publication or that must-have ministry tool.

Nevertheless….good things. 🙂