The Glocal Church

I have always been interested in the study of, and the practicing of spiritual disciplines. I have found when I’m actively practicing the spiritual disciplines, I always grow closer to Christ.

I became a student of spiritual disciplines when I read Richard Foster’s classic work, Celebration of Discipline  in college. Then in Seminary I discovered the writings on spiritual disciplines by Donald Whitney, whose book, Simplify your Spiritual Life  helped me pursue Christ more passionately, with the understanding that If I didn’t make time for a growing relationship with Christ, no one else would. 

I recently picked up an intriguing book… well a book with an intriguing title. It’s titled. Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders by Earl Creps, who is an authority on the emerging church movement.  

Creps’ disciplines definitely give credence to the title Off-Road Disciplines. The first off-road discipline Creps detailed was the spiritual discipline of “Death.” Let me explain… Creps describes that all missional (and Glocal) church leaders experience a “kind of spiritual renovation that forms a missionary’s heart and defiles every attempt at reduction to a formula, or franchising as a ‘model.’ But there is a common confession, along with Paul: ‘I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’”

Creps hit the nail squarely on the head! Before we can be used by Christ, we must sacrifice ourselves, our desires, our dreams, our total being to Him. Just as Paul outlined in Romans 12: “We must offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.” 

For me, that discipline is not a day by day submission to Christ, but rather a moment by moment submission to Him. Unfortunately, however, I often find myself crawling off the altar. It’s a daily battle. You?

Any thoughts? 

(emphasis Added)