Real Men: Fellowship In Discipleship
Every Christian needs both a Paul and a Timothy on their spiritual journey.
A “Paul” is likely somebody who has been a Christian longer than you and is helping to train and encourage you. They have probably walked longer with the Lord and are more spiritually mature. Physical age is irrelevant; that person can be older or younger than you, but they are more deeply developed in their faith and can provide you spiritual guidance. They have often gone through intentional training in how to disciple others, or they have some prior experience in it.
A “Timothy” is somebody who hasn’t been a Christian as long as you, whose faith you are helping to build. You offer that person encouragement and discipleship as he or she grows in the Lord.
So, you can have both a Paul and a Timothy in your life. But, you can also be a Paul and a Timothy to others. In 2 Timothy, Paul says to Timothy:
| “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV) |
We see four generations in that verse. Paul says to Timothy that he helped mentor him, meaning Paul guided him to spiritual maturity. Now Timothy must find somebody to mentor, and then that person can find somebody else to mentor.
Don’t be intimidated by the word “mentoring.” Mentoring is as easy as taking someone to breakfast once a month and asking, “How’s it going?” You just need to be a friend. Listen to, encourage, and pray for that person. You don’t have to be a “perfect Christian” to do this. You just have to be willing and let the Holy Spirit lead you.
Do you see a distinction between mentoring and discipling? I see discipling as going a step further than mentoring by more intentionally speaking into people’s lives. I've had plenty of buddies who were friends and listened, encouraged and prayed for me, but with the “Pauls” in my life, I saw a real difference. They did those things, but they also spoke very intentionally into my life - guiding and coaching me around spiritual education, growth, maturity.
I have been blessed to have many “Pauls” guide my spiritual journey: Gary Stroope, Tom Johnson, Ken Harris, Brett Hurst, Sandy Schultz, Terry Looper, Jim Stern, my father – John Harrington, and my older brother – Tom Harrington and several others. Our Father has also blessed me with the opportunity to disciple several “Timothys” through my faith journey the most recent of which have been several guys through FinD.
Is our Father calling you to be a Paul? a Timothy? Or both? To fully live out God’s calling on your life, you need other people. You will more fully grow as a disciple when you learn from other believers who are more mature than you and when you share your wisdom and experience with believers who are newer to the faith than you.
| To find out more about joining a FinD group visit us at Interest Form - FinD (finddiscipleship.org) For resources on discipleship, visit the FinD Resource Bookshelf at Bookshelf - FinD (finddiscipleship.org) |
I am excited to take on the role as Discipleship Council Chair. I have been inspired by the amazing things FinD has done in my life and for those men around me. So I’m passionate about paying that forward and continuing the experience for others. I believe we are part of something truly special -- a movement that can free men from the bondage of spiritual complacency and breathe new life into our relationships with our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
In that journey, however, there are many challenges, and the Enemy will actively try to thwart our efforts. So, as Christian disciples and FinD members, we must gear up and be active in the fight, using our talents and gifts to further the mission. It’s not always clear how our talents can be used, though! But our Father has provided this opportunity for me to align my corporate work experience (planning, coordinating, developing strategy) with His kingdom purpose. So I am obediently leaning into that calling! In the FinD Discipleship Council Chair role, it will be a privilege and honor to support Clint, the Board, the Discipleship Council, and all of our members. I look forward to getting started! Throughout my life, I had very few role models for what it meant to be a Christian man -- how to blend being a follower of Jesus with being a husband, father, friend, employee, etc. In fact, I
had many more negative examples than positive ones! This led to a lot of confusion and doubt -- why was I getting it so wrong when everyone else seemed to be doing life perfectly?!?
Becoming part of a FinD group was game changing. In 2012, I joined the Sons of the Bible (SOBs for short!). I was finally able to walk through life with other men and see how they handled its ups and downs, while they still pursued a relationship with Jesus. It helped me realize: 1) I wasn’t doing it completely wrong! and 2) I will never do it perfectly! From them, I learned how to experience our Father’s grace and Jesus’ salvation in my daily life as a man. If they could know all my dirty laundry, and still love and accept me, how much more can our Father do that!
As I learned these lessons, I could easily see the power FinD was having in my own life and in the other SOB’s. But joining the Discipleship Council when it started in 2019 allowed me to see how much impact FinD has across all our members. That has inspired me to continue getting more deeply involved, leading to this Discipleship Council Chair role. Ed has been a part of FinD since its inception in 2012. He attends Hope City Church and is actively involved with the TREXO discipleship ministry. He has a passion for men’s ministry, helping men find freedom, purpose and calling in our Father’s will.
Ed is married to Sally and father to their two teenage children, Ethan and Ella. Ed works as an IT Manager for Shell Trading, where he focuses on IT strategy and business relationship management.
Ed grew up in New Mexico and received his B.S. in Computer Science from Baylor University. His hobbies include exercising, woodworking and listening to music.
Fellowship in Discipleship (FinD) A Note from Clint Harrington
But what does FinD really mean? Hanging out with other disciples?
Well, yes. But it's more ...
Pull for Discipleship (Thursday, June 3) Sign Up Now
FinD member, Devin Galimore, will be giving his testimony.
Even if you don’t want to shoot, come out at noon for fellowship, Red River BBQ, prizes, and
a good word from Devin.
Event will take place rain or shine!
All funds raised go to advance the disciple-making ministries of FinD (finddiscipleship.org) and SEND North (sendnorth.org).
Meet Ed Everett FinD Discipleship Council Chair
"I have been inspired by the amazing things FinD has done in my life and for those men around me...
We are part of something truly special --
a movement that can free men from the bondage of spiritual complacency and breathe new life into our relationships with our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. "
FinD Committees - Leading the Way Discipleship Council meeting provides opportunities for committee members to shape plans for the future of FinD
Education/FinD-U
Mike Tenney, Tim Early, Brooks McClain, Pete Verbeke, Devin Galimore(chair)
Health Check
Pete White, Jeff Taylor (chair), Rick Chapman, Marcus Tucker, Trey McAfee
Retreats
John Todd, David Gordon, Chris Rush, Clay Weaver (chair), not pictured Don Daniels
Social / Speakers
Michael Benes, Kirk Sides, Jeff Stubbs (Chair), Joel Wetzel (Sub for Justin Marconi), not pictured Larry Sloan
Service and Outreach
Clay Cossey, Greg LaRue (Chair), Keith O’Connor, Charlie Vatterot , Tim Wardlow (Sub for Miles Harper)
More on FinD Committees
Realness, Rawness, Relevancy in Relationships
Testimony from David Oliphant
(BIGGINs)
My walk with the Lord is now moving forward after being completely stagnant for the longest time. Today, I am in a much better place than I have ever been in, and I look forward every week to being with the men in my group. It’s truly the highlight of my week.
Welcome ReFinD!
FinD's 24th Small Group - Formed May 5th
Seated: Todd Dina Brit Chapman, David Koch
Mark Pereira Standing: Cody Adamek, Andy Adams
Ziad Habayeb, John Murphy, Danny Mraz
Interested in Joining? We will connect with you to find the right small group.
Supporting FinD in 2021
We prayerfully request your support of FinD's vision of developing disciples and serving our community. Please consider a recurring gift to support FinD in 2021.
FinD Newsletter 2021 06 02 Draft To CH EE 05.29.2021What is FinD?
…a letter from Clint Harrington, Executive Director
I’m often asked, what does the name FinD mean? Find what? FinD stands for Fellowship in Discipleship. But what does that really mean? Hanging out with other disciples? Well, yes. But, it’s more than that …
Fellowship is fun. It feels good. It’s fraternal. It’s a blessing. But when optimized in an iron sharpens iron environment, Fellowship leads to transformational spiritual growth. Through Fellowship and with full transparency and accountability, men support each other as they press on toward the ultimate prize … the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). So, let’s continue “meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing…encouraging one another” as instructed in Hebrews 10:25. Fellowship is definitely an important component.
Discipleship, by comparison,describes how we mature in Christ … how Christ is formed in us. Although it sounds “churchy”, Discipleship is not church attendance or Bible study. Like me, many men have attended church their entire lives, but have never been discipled. I was in my 40’s before I was truly discipled. Discipleship is about learning how to follow Jesus, to have a relationship with Him on a daily basis, and to walk alongside others as they grow in their Christian faith. It is personal. It is challenging. It is sacrificial. Jesus walked with his disciples for three years. It wasn’t a six-week curriculum, it was a day-in, day-out relationship -- living life together while learning and growing. This directive is captured in the Great Commission that was given to us in the red letters of Jesus Christ, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, … teaching them to follow all that I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20.
The Mission Statement of FinD is, “Transforming men through Jesus Christ in authentic, weekly fellowship in discipleship.” Our recent membership survey results indicate that we are killing it on FELLOWSHIP, but need to work on MAKING DISCIPLES. We had 168 of 200 members tell us that FinD should continue our strong fellowship focus (4.5 out of 5.0), but we need more intentionality on teaching men how to make new disciples (3.5 of 5.0). We now have a committee dedicated to developing FinD-U. What is FinD-U’s purpose? To develop an ongoing, multi-generational disciple making engine.
So, the next time you see the FinD logo, notice the pin drop symbolizing a destination on a map. The arrow represents the forward action to press on.
What are you trying to FinD right now on your journey? What are you pressing toward? Are you FinDing fellowship? Are you FinDing yourself making disciples? Ultimately, it’s all about that Cross in the “D”.
I've had the blessing of knowing my good buddy, Tim Thomas, for over 20 years now. For the last decade we’ve been in the same small group, the SOBs (Sons of the Bible). Yep, that’s him wrestling that steer down at a retreat years ago.
Tim shared this good ole boy quote at our last High Low session – “If you are what you do...when you don’t, you ain’t!”
I contemplated that statement for several days. Read it again. It took me a couple of times. It speaks to our identity. If our identity is completely wrapped up in our careers, who are we after we retire? If our identity is consumed in being super parent, what happens when the kiddos leave the nest to pursue their own dreams. If our identity is tied entirely to our marriage, what happens when our spouse dies or leaves? There’s only one solution to this, and it’s found here:
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.” ~ Ephesians 1:11 (MSG)
The only way to know who you are and what your purpose is in life is to look to Jesus Christ. Why? Because he created you!
“We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created . . . everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” ~ Colossians 1:15-16 (MSG)
The phrase “in Christ” is one of the most important in the Bible. In the New Testament it is used 89 times, and the phrase “in him” is used 79 times. If you have trusted Jesus Christ for salvation, you likely call yourself a Christian, but the word “Christian” is used only twice in the whole Bible. In biblical times, the most common description used for a follower of Jesus was “in Christ.” That directly points to where you should find your identity as a follower of Jesus.
In Christ, you find out who you are—that’s your identity. And you find what you’re living for—that’s your purpose. The only way to know your identity and purpose in life is by getting to know your Creator. You may think you know yourself best, but God knows everything about you. He made you to love you, and he gave you a purpose only you can fulfill. If you really want to find out what that purpose is and how to pursue it, you have to get to know Jesus Christ and ask for his wisdom and direction. When you look for your identity in other people, you’re not going to find it. When you look for your identity in your job or your hobby or your accomplishments or your causes, you’re only going to be disappointed. When you find your identity in Christ, you’re going to find your purpose and the motivation to get to work on it.
Where is your identity based? If you don’t know or if it’s wrapped up in temporary, worldly things, then it’s time to start shifting your focus to Kingdom work. We never retire from doing the relational and outreach work our Father gives us. Since we don’t know how much time we have left, we need to lean into this sooner than later.
“Get busy living or get busy dying.”
Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption.
We only get one life, and the urgency of getting on with what we are meant to do increases every day."
Jim Collins, Good to Great.
"Just like how football teams regroup and reassess their approach for the second half during a football game, we should do the same for our lives."
Bob Buford, Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance.
We need to take off those other jerseys we wear and put on the new garments we were given when we accepted Christ into our hearts and were adopted forever into His family. Why wait?
YBIC,
Clint
FinD Newsletter May 2021 ED Letter FinDing Your True Identity 05.02.2021