Finished writing product

COMPLETION OF TEAM WRITING PROJECT

This week I finished my last part of team writing project with my mentor, Dr. Bobby Clinton, lifetime friend, Wilmer Villacorta, and another friend, Greg Bourgond. We started this project a few years ago. My colleagues and I have sought to discover the lessons from the narratives of 13 leaders in 1 & 2 Samuel. This book is part of Clinton's Biblical Leadership Commentary Series and will be published by Barnabas Publishers.

My part in the project was studying the lives of Saul, Eli, and Nathan and writing leadership articles. I wrote biographical studies of these three leaders. Apart from these studies, I wrote several articles including:
"Eli Mentors Samuel: Getting the Most out of Not-So-Perfect Mentoring"
"David's Mentors: High Level Leaders Need Mentors"
"David's Plateauing Years"
"Samuel as a Leadership Developer"
"Samuel’s Leadership: Insuring the On-Going Work of God"
"Samuel: Itinerant Ministry"
"Manifestations of Power and Leadership" (Life of Saul)
"Saul: Fearful, Reactive Leadership"

I celebrate coming to the end of this, but I learned a lot and grew through this writing experience.

Venezuela's Finest

Venezuela makes the news a lot these days, due mostly to that country’s illustrious President Hugo Chavez. In many places in that country you see the Chavez signs about a socialistic revolution. I want to share with about a different kind of “revolution.” It is a Jesus revolution that counts on a nucleus of leaders who bear the image of Jesus. For me these are “Venezuela’s finest.”

I just returned on Saturday, April 9, after gathering with this nucleus of 13 pastors and leaders who are doing leader development in and across Venezuela. From the youngest pastor (28) to the oldest (56) each of these has a heart to minister to Venezuela’s leaders. Let me tell you about two of them.

Two of the Finest

Jair Rios is a pastor in Caracas, Venezuela. Some years ago, while he was leading in a parachurch ministry, a woman prayed over him and told him: “Brother, God is going to use you with the pastors of Venezuela.” Jair blew it off as a crazy notion. Later, when God took him into some deep waters, his heart for pastors became all-consuming. Today he states that Venezuela’s pastors are suffering. They are driven and running hard but they are not taking care of their soul. He says our group of leader developers stands before a great necessity and opportunity. He challenged us with a question: “Will we internalize these concepts of renewal?”

Lisandro Marcano is a bi-vocational pastor who also happens to work under the Chavez government! He is a Nehemiah in that political environment. He speaks freely and boldly for Christ in the political arena and in the church. He is also part of NDLL Venezuela. I met him in 2007 at a summit of Christian leader developers that I work with in various nations. As he sat in our meetings tears flowed down his cheeks. His life was transformed. His marriage was healed and he has become an even more effective developer of Christian leaders.

Jump Start Retreat in June, 2010

Last year I gathered with several of these godly leader developers for a retreat near Valencia, Venezuela. We led a retreat for about 40 influential pastors from all over the country. Two of the men there were denominational leaders of the largest denomination in Venezuela. This organization had not been open to the input of other organizations up to that point. God touched these two brothers and they asked for our leader developer network to help with their pastors. This denomination has 400 churches alone in the capital city of Caracas.

Four from our network have begun to lead retreats for this same organization. The request is that NDLL lead these renewal retreats all across Venezuela. These retreats foster a kind of "grace environment" where pastors and ministry leaders can experience a renewing touch of God, realign their hearts with biblical values, and develop trusting, transparent, and accountable relationships with other leaders.

Gathering with Nucleus of Venezuela’s Finest

That brings me to why I was in Caracas in the first week of April. Jair and Lisandro were there along with other leaders. This was a time to consolidate and encourage the growing nucleus and provide ongoing empowerment to my friends. Over the three days we dialogued and processed how God was at work in our lives and how we could continue to respond to His deepening work in our lives and ministries. What a privilege it is to work with these leaders!

When you think of Venezuela try to look past the country’s charismatic and controversial president and consider the transformational movement led by “Venezuela’s finest.”

Blessing etched on an airsickness bag

On Monday, June 28, I was on a flight from Caracas to Miami and seated next to an 82-year old Venezuelan grandmother. Normally I sleep on flights. I had had an amazing but intense week of ministry in Venezuela. From the moment I had gotten there it was evident how God was at work in the different settings. I was grateful for what He had done, yet God was about to put the icing on the cake.

I felt drawn to this charming grandma. We connected initially and I shot up a quiet prayer: "Lord, help me to show a little of You to her." Immediately I sensed the Lord whisper, "She is one of Mine." So I was interested to see what God might be up to.

After we got ourselves situated and the plane took off, my new friend asked me what I had been doing in Venezuela and what my work was. When I told her that my work is encouraging pastors and leaders-in-ministry, she got very interested and asked more. She asked for my card. Over the next hour or so she spoke words of affirmation: "You are developer or those who develop others." Then she asked for my pen and reached for the nearest piece of paper (an airsickness bag!) and wrote out a blessing and a prayer.

How funny! A blessing on a barf bag! Does a blessing written on an airsickness bag diminish this divine moment? Not in the least.

Frank's work

Frank’s work: I co-direct an informal network of Latino leaders which seeks to bring renewal and equip Latino pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders in various places of Latin America, US Hispanics, and Venezuela.

We do this through various venues or formats such as conferences, summits, seminars, workshops, virtual conferences, personal and group mentoring, and written resources. NDLL is currently exploring and developing alliances or agreements with different organizations, churches, and ministries to walk with their leaders and provide these renewal venues. We are currently carrying out this ministry in Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic (about to begin), Ecuador, and the United States among Hispanics.
More on NDLL vision, mission, and objectives

In the face of the increasing number of fallen spiritual leaders, NDLL counts on about 25 Latino and North American leadership developers who dream of slowing down this tragic statistic of the fallen and form renewed, growing leaders who have a better chance of finishing well.

Our Vision: To see more Spanish-speaking leaders continue and finish well in ministry.
Our Mission: Develop leaders who walk in renewal, transparency with one another, journey in intentional mentoring relationship, and equip the next generation of leaders.

NDLL dreams of being a catalyst for a movement of renewed leaders across Latin America, among Spanish-speaking leaders in the USA, and in Spain. NDLL seeks to bring this movement through the transformational dimensions of renewal, balance ministry rhythm (avoiding over-activism or doing over being), transparent relationships, connection with other leaders (avoiding Lone Ranger syndrome), healthy family and social base, grace environments for leaders (safe places to grow together), personal depth in the Word, perspective on lifelong shaping (including understanding desert experiences as leaders), focus in ministry, connecting healthily across lines of organizations, generations, and gender, and leaving a godly legacy.

“Unos Corredores de Dios”

La Carrera de Relevos

En la carrera de relevos la parte más crucial es la entrega de la posta (relevo, testigo). De igual forma los mentores deben saber cómo pasar aquella posta a líderes fieles quienes puedan correr bien.

Carlos: Un Corredor con Experiencia

Mi gran amigo ecuatoriano, Carlos Varela, no es ajeno a la disciplina del corredor. Hace algunos años Carlos competió en una carrera de resistencia contra, entre otros, el ilustre corredor ecuatoriano Rolando Vera, ¡y ganó Carlos! Ahora en sus años cincuenta, Carlos sigue corriendo para mantenerse en forma, pero se ha matriculado en otra clase como “corredor de relevos.”

Los Corredores del “Grupo Calacali”

Carlos, junto a unos veinte y pico pastores, formó parte de un grupo de mentoreo para el cual pude servir como mentor en Ecuador de 2004 a 2006, es decir, en mis últimos dos años en Ecuador. Solíamos reunirnos a cada cuanto en un centro de retiros cerca de la pequeña ciudad de Calacali. Llegamos a identificarnos por el nombre del “Grupo Calacali.” Vivimos tiempos de profunda edificación y transformación en el aprendizaje, relaciones transparentes, acompañamiento pastoral, y mentoreo mutuo de colegas.

El Equipo Ecuatoriano de Corredores

De verdad, es glorioso ver a Carlos corriendo bien. Sin embargo, Carlos no es un corredor solitario, sino un corredor de relevos. Él corre junto a sus colegas ecuatorianos en el Grupo Timón de NDLL Ecuador. Está corriendo con Medardo Díaz, Héctor Plaza, Javier Silva, Armando Tamayo, Teodoro Medranda, Pablo Gutiérrez, Patricia Sarzosa, John Cedeño, Marco Andrade, y Germán Campos. Todos ellos están desarrollando líderes en sus respectivos campos y contextos, pero saben unirse para esfuerzos dentro y fuera del país.

Las Pistas que Corren

En el mes de mayo, Carlos y algunos de sus colegas ecuatorianos van a lanzar una serie de retiros y mentoreo “al estilo Calacali” con un grupo de pastores de un distrito de la Alianza Cristiana y Misionera (ACyM). Lo bueno es que el que está facilitando la plataforma es el Pastor Luis Solís, un miembro del Grupo Calacali. Es más, recientemente, Carlos tuvo un diálogo con el Presidente de ACyM de Ecuador acerca de la posibilidad de que NDLL Ecuador facilite un proceso de mentoreo transformacional para todos los pastores de la ACyM. Se no me equivoco la ACyM tiene más de 300 iglesias en Ecuador. La obra es grande.

Comenzando en 2006, estos capaces y ungidos “corredores de relevos” ecuatorianos han podido llevar la posta a otros países del continente inclusive Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, y la República Dominicana.

El Polvo de la Pista

¡Qué bello es ver a estos corredores de relevos corriendo! “¡Qué hermosos son, sobre los montes, los pies del que trae buenas nuevas!” Puedo ver el polvo que se levanta de las zapatillas de atletismo de mis colegas corriendo en la pista del Reino.

Oremos por Carlos y por Su Equipo

Después de más de quince años como pastor, el Señor comenzó a enfocar el papel pastoral y evangelístico de Carlos. En abril de 2010, este corredor de relevos salió de su rol como pastor en una iglesia grande en Quito para asumir la coordinación de NDLL Ecuador y continuar con la coordinación regional de Evangelismo Explosivo. Es un tremendo modelo de fe porque ha dejado su salario como pastor para asumir un papel que aporta levantar su sostenimiento. Oremos por nuestro colega Carlos y por sus colegas del Grupo Timón.

Relay Racers

In a relay race the passing of the baton is a most crucial piece. Mentors can set things in motion but the work carries on through capable godly leaders.

My friend, Carlos, knows a lot about running well. Years ago Carlos ran a race against the famous Ecuadorian long distance runner, Rolando Vera, and won! Now in his 50s, he only runs to stay in shape, but Carlos is also involved in a “relay race” of a different sort.

Carlos, along with about 25 other pastors, was part of mentoring group that I was privileged to work with from 2004-2006. We met periodically at a retreat center in Calacali, a small town outside of Quito, Ecuador. The “Calacali Group” experienced transformational times together in learning, transparent relationships, and peer mentoring.

The friendship and mentoring with Carlos, and other leaders, continues up to today with online chats, emails, and periodic on site visits. It is a glorious thing to watch Carlos run well. But Carlos is not a solo runner. He runs these relay races with the likes of Medardo, Héctor, Javier, Armando, Teo, Pablo, Germán, John, Marco, and Patricia.

Carlos and company will soon be leading a “Calacali Mentoring Group” for pastors across one district of his denomination. The district pastor Luis was also part of the original group and he is setting this up. Recently, Carlos met with the president of this whole organization and they are exploring ways for Carlos and friends to walk with pastors across the country. If this partnership works out, Carlos and friends will facilitate a process of transformational mentoring across the 300 plus churches. The vision is to see these Ecuadorian pastors continue to run well, and by God’s grace, to finish well.

In the last couple of years, these capable “relay runners” have carried the baton to other places like Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. What a beautiful sight these kingdom relay racers are! I can see the dust rising as their feet move forward in this kingdom venture.

“Jesus is Risen: Putting the Pieces Together Again” John 21

It may be that “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again,” but Jesus is an expert at taking broken, shattered lives and putting them back together again!

John closes his Gospel with powerful stories of the resurrected Jesus reassuring and restoring His followers. In chapter 20 we find Him restoring Thomas. In chapter 21 we find Him picking up the broken pieces of Peter's life and putting him back together.

There are two redeeming acts in this story-- a charcoal fire and filled fishing nets. Both are about restoring Peter, reigniting his faith, and repositioning him for his life mission.

"TWO CHARCOAL FIRES"
There were two charcoals fires that deeply marked Peter's life.

First Charcoal fire (John 18:18)
Not too many days before Peter had sat and warmed himself by another charcoal fire. It was a fire lit by Jesus’ enemies. It was a fire on a freezing cold night in the high priest’s courtyard, where men and women with no sympathy for Jesus stood warming themselves around a charcoal fire (John 18:18). It was an ambiance of anger and revenge. The opposition was finally taking control of things. Jesus was in their court.

Peter found a spot around this charcoal fire. He is there warming his hands. It is the night of betrayal, abandonment and failure. Peter denies Jesus over that charcoal fire.

Luke tells us: The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Across the glow of that fire, Jesus looked directly into Peter eyes. The piercing look breaks him.

Second Charcoal Fire (John 21:1-12)
But this charcoal fire on this beach was lit purposefully by Jesus. The ambiance, the relational atmosphere, the spiritual environment is supercharged with grace. Darrell Johnson thinks that even the smell of burning charcoals triggered his memory. Jesus doesn’t do this to crush him, but to pour His grace into the failure and shame of the night of betrayal.

Peter remembers the night as his moment of failure and disappointment. He is not completely unhooked from the shame as he nears Jesus on the beach this morning.Does that night define him?

This time Jesus looks at Peter "across a charcoal fire" (to borrow Darrell Johnson's phrase) with grace-filled eyes. Peter and his friends hear the invitation of Jesus: “Come and have breakfast.”

"TWO FILLED NETS EPISODES"
There are two filled nets episodes that deeply mark Peter's life. So there are two episodes of miraculous catches or filled nets: Luke 5 is about Peter’s initial calling and John 21 is about restoring to him to life calling. In between the first and second miraculous catches comes Peter’s shattering experience of denying Jesus.

First Filled Net Episode (Luke 5:1-11)
Jesus had called Peter to his life vocation through a miraculous catch of fish. That story is in Luke 5:1-11. In episode one Peter and friends had caught nothing the night before. After Jesus taught the people, He sends Peter and friends out to fish. They do so in obedience to Him and there is a miraculous abundant catch.

Peter not only sees the glory of Jesus but catches a deeper look into his own heart. He recognizes that he does not have it all together. He is broken and sinful. He falls on his knees and tells the Lord to depart from his presence for he is a “sinful man.” Jesus assures him that he is just the person He is looking for. It was a picture of how Jesus would be using Peter as a “fisher of men.”

Second Filled Net Episode (John 21:1-14)
The John 21 episode of the miraculous catch is about restoring him and re-commissioning in the mission task.The question deep in Peter’s soul is about whether his failure defines him and has disqualified him.
Has my failure disqualified me?

Jesus answers that it’s not all over through this miracle. He is saying to Peter: Your failure doesn’t define you. I still have great designs for you.

The life mandate is renewed. Peter is commissioned anew.

RESET TIME FOR PETER

Often computer software problems are resolved by a simple restart. When my Internet cable connection fails, usually hitting the reset button on the back of the cable modem brings everything back into line. This was like a reset button in Peter’s life.

He Is Embraced Anew
Jesus serves him a meal just like He did on the night He washed Peter’s feet. At both meals—the evening Passover and the lakeside breakfast—Jesus takes the role of the server. He is taking care of Peter and friends after a disappointing night on the lake. He is affirmed.

Peter is not met with a hard rebuke, an accusing finger, and look of disappointment, but by a warm charcoal fire with the smell of fish cooking on it. He hears the invitation of Jesus: “Come and have breakfast.” He is healed of the past shame and failure. Peter will not have to move forward crippled by his past.

He is Centered Anew
Jesus brings him back to the heart of it all. “Do you love Me more than these?” He asks him three times in order to let it go deep. With each question it goes deeper. Jesus is helping him refocus and center again on the most vital matter.

This relationship or friendship with Jesus is at the heart of it all. It doesn’t begin with: “Peter, will you be busy in serving Me?” It doesn’t start with: “Will you do My work? It isn’t: “Will you get out there and help Me save the world?” It begins with: “Do you love Me?” “Then follow Me and join Me in serving in My mission.”

Churches are filled with very busy people. Pastors and missionaries run themselves ragged. In the words of one leader, we “substitute frenetic activity for genuine spiritual vitality” (Reggie McNeal, Practicing Greatness, 2006: 149). We’re so busy that we are frazzled and awry. Some of us are on the verge of burnout.

I know about becoming frazzled and near burnout. I thank God for allowing me to meet him in a recent 3-month sabbatical by the charcoal fire.

Getting centered for Peter is coming back to enjoying friendship and engaging Jesus. His love for Jesus will sustain him in his life mission as a “fisher of men” and “shepherd of the flock.” His love for Jesus will sustain him as he grows older and as he eventually faces martyrdom.

He Is Put back on the Path for Others
Jesus brings him back onto the pathway of following Him for the sake of others. He is to follow Jesus for the sake of others (Jesus’ mission). He is to “catch men” (help others become Christ followers) and provide pastoral care for Jesus’ followers.

Jesus is risen! He still puts back the pieces of our broken lives.