I don’t know where this comes from…
Sometimes it’s a question about the business books on my reading list.
Sometimes after a discussion about strategy, people ask… “but where does prayer come in?”
Very few people, if any, have ever framed it this way but it seems they want to ask me…
Are you strategic or are you spiritual?
Over the years I have developed an answer to that question.
Check out Acts 13-14.
Read it through one time and identify where Paul and Barnabas were dependent on the Spirit.
Throughout that passage they are…right?
Read it through again and identify the strategies the used on their mission.
Here’s my point.
While Paul and Barnabas were completely dependent and led by the spirit, they were incredibly strategic.
Check it out!
- They traveled together.
- They hit the synagogues.
- Where people were open to their message at this point.
- Where there were people they could must identify with
- They hit the urban centers early where there would be plenty of people who could carry the message for them to the less populated areas.
- When Paul speaks to Jews he starts with the Law and leads to Christ.
- When Paul speaks to Gentiles he starts with them and leads to Christ.
Now, I’m no Paul or Barnabas to be sure. But I have developed an answer to the question…
Are you strategic or are you spiritual?
I think it’s the answer that Paul would give to.
Ive been doing some reading into first century Jewish life and recently watched Rob Bell’s ‘Everything Is Spiritual’ where he argues that there is ‘no such thing as spiritual’. he goes as far as to say that no word in the original Hebrew text can be translated as ‘spiritual’!
What he does say, is that because of the origin of everything (earth, stars, humans, animals etc) and that it is all made by God, then God is in everything. Therefore everything in fact can be associated with God! He says that because the origin IS God, then everything is ‘spiritual’, as we have come to define the word.
Its also very interesting to me that one of the things a Rabbi teaches a young boy very early on during the first century is ‘reason’. Basically a young Jewish boy would learn a very strategic way to reason all kinds of things (ancient texts, conversations, numerically).
So when Paul goes out to the masses and speaks, he employs a strategy and reasons with them in a way that they might understand e.g. Jews – starts with Law and then leads to Christ. Which we could argue needs a strategy – build the case, and then win the audience with your point.
Thanks Morgan, Great thoughts. I like the way Rob Bell makes me think about stuff. I’m careful using the words “everything” and “nothing” though.
Love you thoughts….we should discuss them over coffee. When you coming to the states?
Shef
Couldn’t agree with your post more, Shef. I think the problem comes when people are far on one side or the other. I have seen people who think that all they need is a textbook or a “church model” on how to start a church. They go in with a total structure and strategy but not much direction/counsel from God. Then you have the other side of the people who pray through everything and do not move forward or prepare a system for any growth.
As with most things in life, it is all about the right balance.
No doubt. Thanks man.