Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. – Randy’s September 2008 Update
On an annual basis, I like to use one newsletter to answer some questions I get asked about the ministry work I’m doing. Here are some of the more Frequently Asked Questions:
How many people do you shepherd/disciple/mentor/develop?
I regularly meet one-on-one with between 25-30 next-generation leaders. These young leaders have leadership roles overseeing approximately 3,000 people, many of whom are in their twenties. This ministry truly is having an amazing impact! It is equipping leaders of the future.
I also do some development in small group settings and at spiritual retreats.
What are you doing?
I am mentoring, developing, and shepherding next-generation leaders, specifically people in their twenties – a generation that sadly seems to be falling through the church cracks in many ways.
In my life, the greatest transformation and growth has occurred when someone who was further down the path came along side me and walked with me for a season. When I look at Jesus and his disciples, that’s exactly what Jesus did. He chose to lovingly invest in a small group of individuals who would then be equipped to pass it on to others. He multiplied himself. He told them to do the same – “Go and make disciples”, be fruitful and multiply. The world hasn’t been the same since.
In attempting to humbly follow Jesus’ example, my desire is to assist God in impacting the largest number of young people possible. I believe that happens by focusing on people who are gifted in leading and shepherding others, and who desire to pass on what they have been given. Paul told Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men (and women) who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim 2:2). Everyone I meet with has shown that they are reliable, qualified, influential, loving, and they desire to multiply. They are difference-makers and the more people out there making a loving difference the better.
Where do you find young people to develop?
There is such a great need for what I am doing that finding hungry, young leaders is easy. In fact, many times they find me. Being that I desire to do this in the context of the Church and invest in its future leaders, I attend various church related events where 20somethings may gather so I can meet the leaders and potential leaders and they can meet me. Many of them have heard about me from their leader-friends or have seen the life-change this ministry has had on their friends. Many of them want in. They, like me, are hungry to grow. A culture of personal discipleship is being created.
Unfortunately, there are so few people doing what I am doing within the Church that many opportunities go unmet. The issue for me is less about finding people and more about discerning whom, out of the overwhelming number of people, I should invest in. It’s hard for me to say, “no”, but many times I have to. It reminds me of a story about Jesus as he traveled the countryside:
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (Matt 9:36-37). Please pray for more workers.
Who do you have in your life who mentors/develops/invests in you?
In my ideal world, the ministry model Jesus showed us would be happening regularly within the Church and mentors/disciple-makers would be plentiful. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find people who are equipped to do this type of personal development. The ones who can are usually maxed out. I’m still searching.
In the meantime, God has lovingly provided people in my life who are equipped to act as peer mentors. In my meetings with them, we split our time in half, intentionally spending half the time on them and half the time on me. These friends know me, love me, challenge me, and pour into me.
I am also part of a small group that is focused on sharing our lives and struggles, being known and loved. I attend periodic Spiritual Formation retreats, which are always good for my soul. I read quite a bit and listen to podcasts, so certain authors and speakers develop me in some ways. Also, some of the people I shepherd are at a place in their journey where they are now giving back and loving me really well, which is very encouraging to see.
TOP 10 Reasons why you should prayerfully consider contributing to Legacy Shepherding Ministries:
10) Michael Phelps thinks this ministry is pure GOLD! (or at least I’m convinced he would if he knew about it!)
9) If the ministry was ever given an extravagant luxury jet – that would be over the top – I’d sell it on ebay! “Thanks, but no thanks!” (said with an Alaskan accent)
8) I have more “community organizer” experience than Obama! (leading/coaching small groups for over 20 years)
7) My most recent pair of jeans has a hole in the knee.
6) It may help break the billy-goat curse so the Cubbies can finally win this year! Look how far your last year’s contributions got them! We could do even better this year (and possibly in all the years to come)!
5) Can you say, “Tax write-off”? Why give it to the government?
4) None of the money you contribute goes toward buildings, debt financing, unnecessary programs, or fancy coffee makers (which may make some of you coffee lovers angry – Sorry).
3) Your return on investment would be way better than anything our markets can offer! (That may be a sore spot right now. Ouch!)
2) I would be soooooo grateful if you did!
1) Lives are changing. The next-generation is being invested in. For more personal stories go to https://www.legacyshepherding.org and the testimonial pages at http://legacyshepherding.org
Conclusion:
I think this type of disciple-making kingdom work is well worth investing in. I want to see it offered to young people as a gift, free of charge. I believe it should be at the very heart of the Church. It is directly engaging the Great Commission (making disciples) and the Greatest Commandments of Love (love God, yourself, and others). It invites deeper union with God. It equips people to multiply more love in our world.
Please prayerfully consider me, and this kingdom work, as you contemplate your year-end giving, as well as your future giving. Your contributions to Legacy Shepherding Ministries, Inc. (a Charitable non-profit organization) will be tax-deductible. If you have any questions, you can reach me at randy@legacyshepherding.org.
Blessings,
Randy
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