What is your focus? As a Pastor or leader of any group it’s easy to focus on the middle (or average) of the group, this tendency is accentuated by the American mindset of “standardization”. We set up classes to assimilate newbies (hopefully there is some mechanism to engage these people) and get them into the mainstream of the organization through training. We then spend most of our time maintaining the middle with very little effort to educate people beyond the average. Where are you at as a leader? Do you spend most of your time and resources training or educating? Is there really a difference? Let’s look at these words:
Educate*:
1. To develop the innate capacities of, especially by schooling or instruction.
2. To provide with knowledge or training in a particular area or for a particular purpose: decided to educate herself in foreign languages; entered a seminary to be educated for the priesthood.
3. To provide with information; inform: a campaign that educated the public about the dangers of smoking. To bring to an understanding or acceptance: hoped to educate the voters to the need for increased spending on public schools.
4. To stimulate or develop the mental or moral growth of.
*educate. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.Retrieved March 22, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/educate Emphasis added.
Train**:
1. To develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: to train an unruly boy.
2. To make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work: to train soldiers.
3. To discipline and instruct (an animal), as in the performance of tasks or tricks.
4. To treat or manipulate so as to bring into some desired form, position, direction, etc.: to train one's hair to stay down.
**train. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1).Retrieved March 22, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/train Emphasis added.
Here’s the breakdown:
Many churches and organizations set up classes to train their people to be good members, but rarely do we see organizations that go to the level that they educate their people to be great Christians and/or leaders. To educate is to develop the innate capacities of, especially by schooling or instruction, to train is to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior by discipline and instruction.
This system creates people who are typically “habitual conformists.” They conform to the system through modified behavioral habits. Jesus didn’t say, “You shall know the system and the system shall make you free.” He said you would know the truth, that’s an intellectual statement. I’ve heard so many people try to train their congregants specifically focusing on behavior modification, but remember, His kingdom is about motive as much as it is about action. Jesus spent very little time trying to modify the behavior of the people He lead, and most of His time educating them into greatness. He had the same scripture and traditions as the Pharisees but His focus was so radically different that with twelve men He revolutionized the world.
So, what is the remedy if you come to the realization that you spend most of your time training and very little time educating? First you have to realize that you will not effectively educate the masses. The shotgun method of teaching a large congregation is unavoidable. You have to shoot at the middle and hope the over spray is enough to effect both extremes (the completely ignorant and the scholarly). So don’t frustrate yourself trying to make this concept work in a congregational setting.
Instead examine your group. You have four categories:
1. The unconnected. These people need to become connected with your mission. They need to be evangelized into your group. For Christians that means they need to be born again, for business that means they need to be hired, for schools that means they need to become enrolled. Without this first step, the following is moot. We spend a lot of our time trying to reach this group and make them part of the next group.
2. The Newbie. This person is at the beginning stages and is typically ignorant of your core doctrines and/or mission goals. They also may have adverse tendencies and/or habits that will need to be replaced with new ones that fit your organization. (Spiritual, business, educational). This requires training, yes, behavior modification does have its place, but it is not the complete picture. In organizations that focus on training, these people will typically be the most enthusiastic members, however, once their behavior is successfully modified they become “habitual conformists” and “average out” they are hard to distinguish from the rest of the average group.
3. The Average. These people require maintenance to keep them focused and engaged. This is the base of your organization (the average is a quantity intermediate to a set of quantities, or the middle between extremes). We spend almost all of our time (justifiably so for most leaders since this is where the bulk of your return is: Church – offerings and tithes, Business – labor and production, School – tuition, funding and test scores) maintaining and growing the base. Think about this, though, these people are your base, but not necessarily your “core.”
4. The Core. In the “training” church your core is lost in the base. Since the focus is on the average group (or base) we are in maintenance mode which typically means we are re-evangelizing the strays and constantly retraining (modifying behavior) of people who lose focus and/or desire to stay connected to the mission or values of the organization. These people will either average out and lose their passion, become bitter (we typically call this burn out, but there is actually no Biblical basis for the burn out concept, really we become bitter because we are stuck in an average mentality with the desire to go further but a lack of education and/or empowerment to be able to move forward) or they will leave and become a part of an organization that they perceive is more “on their level.” I worked for an organization that was specifically focused on behavior modification. I saw dozens of great leaders being developed in that organization and yet there are only a handful of them that stayed. Most of them are still engaged in other organizations which are by and large focused on educating their people. They simply grew past the capacity displayed by the leadership of that organization. Perception is reality and these leaders perceived that the organization didn’t have the capacity to grow them further so they left. The organization certainly had the capacity but lacked the mindset.
The pastor or key leader typically feels like he or she must spend most of their face-time with the base in order to keep them loyal to themselves when, in fact, their most effective sessions will be focused on growing the Core. Really it depends on the focus of the organization. Are you trying to grow a big group of people or a group of big people? An educated Core is much more valuable than a loyal base of habitual conformists. If the leader will take the Core and in a closed session allow them to ask hard questions and engage in meaningful discussions while educating them in the principles behind the habits, values and goals of the organization, he will begin to multiply instead of maintain. The Core should have more face time than the base which may mean that some of the congregational training sessions be taught by some one other than the leader so he or she can educate the Core. That may mean a loss of control of the masses (which may be equated with a loss of personal loyalty) and for insecure leaders this is an almost insurmountable obstacle. If, however, the leader had a solid Core that was loyal to the mission and purpose of the organization, the base would still be hearing the leader by proxy and the base would begin to become loyal to the purpose and mission of the organization as opposed to an individual.
What was scarier for the Disciples, the crucifixion or the ascension? They thought Jesus was never coming back and it was over at the crucifixion. At the ascension, however, they knew He was coming back eventually and they were now in charge of perpetuating His passion. I would have been more scared at the ascension. They probably would have been petrified except for one thing. Before the crucifixion Christ trained them into a new mentality for a new covenant, but after the crucifixion he educated them on how it all fit together so they could move the kingdom forward without His physical presence. By doing this he multiplied the ministry through the Core, which is what we must do also if we are going to see the right kind of growth.
“That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.
Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.
The pastor or key leader typically feels like he or she must spend most of their face-time with the base in order to keep them loyal to themselves when, in fact, their most effective sessions will be focused on growing the Core. Really it depends on the focus of the organization. Are you trying to grow a big group of people or a group of big people? An educated Core is much more valuable than a loyal base of habitual conformists. If the leader will take the Core and in a closed session allow them to ask hard questions and engage in meaningful discussions while educating them in the principles behind the habits, values and goals of the organization, he will begin to multiply instead of maintain. The Core should have more face time than the base which may mean that some of the congregational training sessions be taught by some one other than the leader so he or she can educate the Core. That may mean a loss of control of the masses (which may be equated with a loss of personal loyalty) and for insecure leaders this is an almost insurmountable obstacle. If, however, the leader had a solid Core that was loyal to the mission and purpose of the organization, the base would still be hearing the leader by proxy and the base would begin to become loyal to the purpose and mission of the organization as opposed to an individual.
What was scarier for the Disciples, the crucifixion or the ascension? They thought Jesus was never coming back and it was over at the crucifixion. At the ascension, however, they knew He was coming back eventually and they were now in charge of perpetuating His passion. I would have been more scared at the ascension. They probably would have been petrified except for one thing. Before the crucifixion Christ trained them into a new mentality for a new covenant, but after the crucifixion he educated them on how it all fit together so they could move the kingdom forward without His physical presence. By doing this he multiplied the ministry through the Core, which is what we must do also if we are going to see the right kind of growth.
“That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.
Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.
Luke 24:13-50 NLT. Emphasis Added.
The last line of this passage of Scripture is the most significant. They were hiding at Peter’s house before. All of their behavioral modification (training) was not enough to sustain them minus the physical presence of Christ, but after the educational process, they were willing to risk their lives because they understood why on an intellectual level before they were even infused with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.
Please feel free to leave comments, ask questions and/or print this article to share with your organization. Email me with specific closed session questions.
The last line of this passage of Scripture is the most significant. They were hiding at Peter’s house before. All of their behavioral modification (training) was not enough to sustain them minus the physical presence of Christ, but after the educational process, they were willing to risk their lives because they understood why on an intellectual level before they were even infused with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.
Please feel free to leave comments, ask questions and/or print this article to share with your organization. Email me with specific closed session questions.
