#1 Friend Balloon
My 2024 Friend Mission Statement
Intentionally celebrate and appreciate 50 years of discipleship.
Some of my Friend Mission Statements over the decades.
Be a friend. Don’t worry about others actions.
Commit to ten one-on-one encounters a week.
Emphasize through teaching the value of “coming to the middle.”
Reflect, celebrate and thank 2-3 people every day.
Be mindful of who - and why I spend time with.
Put a sign on our front door. No politics - No Covid.
Being Introverted I grew up in my own world. My parents and teachers had labeled me as shy and I went through my junior high-high, high school and college life pretty much living that out. I was never the “popular one” - the one surrounded by lots of friends.
Instead I lived pretty much in my own mind. I hadn’t heard about being an “Introvert or extrovert” so I never thought I needed to change. I loved being with my own thoughts. I loved studying people. I believe being “a people watcher” was something I perfected.
With my career as a teacher and coach I flourished as an introvert. I didn’t like, need or want the attention of being in front of people. I loved the personal focus of unlocking the greatness in people one-on-one or in small groups.
When discipleship became part of my life everything changed. I began to understand the “abundant life” the scriptures spoke of. I found that discipleship wasn’t just about reading and knowing the Bible, praying, worshipping, giving or serving others. I realized that it could instead be the foundation of our life journey together and our thinking.
The word disciple gradually took on the definition of friend for me. How could I become a friend? How could I invest time really getting to know others – not on the surface – but possibly the hopes and the dreams they had - and the dreams that God might offer.
Ministry allowed me to lead small groups and create initiatives tapping into other’s gifts and talents - but most importantly just spending time with others sharing life. The hundreds of trips and adventures I was a part of allowed for 100+ hour blocks of time to experience life and learn together. In my mind I had redefined the tradition view of discipleship. Having students for a six year season allowed for life to take different forms. There was never the “one teaching” or “one small group” that mattered – it was the process of friendship – a relationship with another grounded in the foundation of faith.