Session 2 Response

Session #2, "Exploring the Problem and Adventure of Spiritual Direction"
[Reflections from Eugene Peterson's text] (Posted by Dr. Nissley)

1) This chapter was a fresh find for me. One of the reasons I have responded to God's call to ministry is because I had this concept that the Kingdom of God was more important than the temporary things of the earth. Peterson gave a me fresh reassurance that I am not crazy, but living in the truly real world. Now insofar as a detective or spy whom I can utilize in developing a leadership style, this is a little difficult for me to answer since I'm a generation past the age of detective shows as a subset of American media; nonetheless, the most fascinating investigator of which I know of would be Lt. Horatio Caine from the show CSI Miami. His character is consistently thoughtful--never quick to answers or hasty action. He sees into people through careful questions and clever statements, and has an almost inhuman ability to see through deception and the wrong ideas that various characters have. As one quote goes, "He is a liar. I just don't know what the lie is yet. " I find I have a great respect for people who can read into other people's lives, not out of assumptions, but out of careful observation of what and how they communicate.

2) In terms of "curing souls" as Peterson describes it, there isn't necessarily a definitive goal in mind that leads to someone, some program or some problem to being "fixed". The core idea with curing souls is one of not being pulled into the problem but discovering how God is working in the situation. The job of the leader then becomes to draw others into the path that God is on and out of the mire of bad situations. I will outrightly admit that one of the core reasons I am transitioning out of my current ministry is due to the fact that I saw large problems congregation-wide as unfixable and felt rather small and helpless in the midst of it. This chapter was again a fresh word to me about looking for God's movement, that is God's initiative, and seeking to draw others, one at a time if that's what it takes, to see what God is up to and to join Him.

3) What does being "unbusy'', subversive, & apocalyptic mean to you as a Christian leader?
Being unbusy as a leader is taking time for God and for people, and not filling one's schedule with problem solving and programs. More specifically, for God it means time in the prayer, time in the Word, and time in spiritual direction (something that has stuck with me since reading Peterson' Working the Angles). In taking time for people, it means listening, caring, and loving. Unbusy also means that Sabbath, both on a weekly basis and for longer Sabbath's a few times a year need to be taken, respected and used for recreation in God. Unbusy also means saying "no"more often to people's requests for your time that do not involve prayer, the Word, spiritual direction, and relationship development.

Being subversive as a leader is to keep in mind the real task we have, that is proclaiming the kingdom of God here and coming, and drawing others moment by moment into the kingdom. This is not through manipulation, coercion, expedient rush and intimidation, nor even negative judgment of what would happen if they don't see what I see. This subversive drawing of people to the kingdom should occur through building relationships of trust and good communication where I can listen to what people believe and go with them to God's response in his Word organically (that is, not by forcing a conversation about a particular kingdom-subject, but in the midst of ongoing conversation to introduce them to a worldview that is kingdom of God oriented), or even in the midst of preaching, to guide people into the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to change hearts and minds. In fact I would argue the most subversive thing we do as pastors is drawing people to spiritual places where the Holy Spirit will transform them.

Finally being apocalyptic as a leader means that while being unbusy, I will not forget that Christ is coming again. Being apocalyptic is reminding the people that we must concern ourselves with two relationships: with God and with others. Our relationship with others happens into areas, those we grow with in Christ and those to whom we reach out to show Christ. I appreciate how Peterson noted that the kingdom of God is not a hasty thing, but demands that we be "passionately patient" (47). Being apocalyptic as leader involves having the bride keep her lamp full that so that we are ready and waiting for the Bridegroom to appear (Matthew 25:1-13).