I consider blogging a form of mentoring. Actually, I think of it as digital discipleship. It's the way I can share what God is doing in my head and in my heart for anybody who cares. Honestly, it started out as a personal journaling exercise. Then I realized that it was a great way to stay in touch with our growing church. And somewhere along the way pastors started reading it.
With more than 10 million hits year-to-date, blogging is the most important thing I do quantitatively. And I pray that my posts are prophetic. But I also want to make a qualitative difference. And that happens face-to-face and one-on-one. Jesus modeled it by recruiting and mentoring 12 disciples.
As leaders, we tend to focus on the quantitative dimension. But it's the qualitative dimension that leaves a lasting legacy. There is nothing wrong with making a little difference in a lot of lives. But the ultimate impact is making a big difference in a few lives!
With more than 10 million hits year-to-date, blogging is the most important thing I do quantitatively. And I pray that my posts are prophetic. But I also want to make a qualitative difference. And that happens face-to-face and one-on-one. Jesus modeled it by recruiting and mentoring 12 disciples.
As leaders, we tend to focus on the quantitative dimension. But it's the qualitative dimension that leaves a lasting legacy. There is nothing wrong with making a little difference in a lot of lives. But the ultimate impact is making a big difference in a few lives!
9 Comments:
This story is really long, but I just have to testify: in the first week of August I went on a mission trip to Puebla Mexico. I have been following your blog for some time but have never read any of your books. I went to the Borders in BWI Airport and did not find any copies of any of your books. Much to my surprise, they did however have a fair amount of "spiritual books." Anyway, I went through the entire trip not thinking anything of it. As we boarded the plane to Houston, I got a lot of much-needed rest. As we transferred planes to Baltimore, I made the crucial mistake of getting cozy in the window seat w/o remembering the essentials in my bookbag up above: book + ipod. So, as I sat, pondering how I would make it through the next 3 hour-flight wide awake, I peered in between the seats in front of me. Right there, I saw another team member in front of me holding a stack of 3 books. i said, "Mrs. Debbie, what are you reading?" She handed me back the stack and one of the books was "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." I was FLOORED! I said, "What are you doing with this book? I've wanted to read it forever!" She said, "My girlfriend recommended I read it and gave me a copy." Fortunatly, she hadn't planned on reading it on this particular flight so she passed it back to me. I read the entire thing from cover to cover in 3 hours! I'm not a reader by any means! I've never finished a book in 1 sitting ever! I got so much out of your book, I can't say thank you enough.
After reading Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, my ideals on a lot of things changed. I was wrestling with some new notions of things I was once settled on. Then, after going on my 5th mission trip to Puebla, I was wrestling with some things as well. God is so good that all, and I mean ALL of the things I was wrestling with, you addressed in your book. I had such peace. In addition, your Ch. 3 is all about a mission trip to Ethiopia and I was just there in February with Food for the Hungry and was in some of the same places doing some of the same things that your team did. Unreal! Thanks again and I look forward to reading your other books and re-reading "in a pit."
Just curious. . .how does one get on your "qualitative" discipleship list?
I'm not looking for you to mentor me - although that could be fun and I could learn much!! Just wondering how you decide who to invest in?
love the book story :)
I meet with pastors every week. love doing it :) usually happens at Ebenezers coffeehouse.
Just wanted to tell you thank you for mentoring me although we have never met. I truly have been blessed to have had my life marked by some incredible men who have mentored me in life, as well as you (my online mentor.) In fact I your blog inspired me to write about it, as well as how you have mentored me. I also put your blog post on my blog about mentoring (hope that is ok). If you would like to read it you can check out http://imgbydesign.com. I figured it would be shorter to put the link rather than the whole blog. Thank you again!
that's exactly why i follow your blog/tweets! i feel like i get the benefit of your experiences/thoughts!
You make a great distinction here, Mark, and one that is shaping my transition from youth ministry to college & third place endeavors of a missional kind.
I'm new to your blog but looking forward more of your digital discipleship.
Blessings,
Good post Mark. A friend of mine has often said, "More time with less people equals greater Kingdom impact." Both quantitative and qualitative are important and should be maximized. The deepest levels of impact are often tied to the deepest levels of relationship--typically seen in the qualitative side of mentoring relationships.
Your posts bless my spirit. Thank you for speaking wisdom into the lives of many.
Post a Comment
<< Home