"For the first time, I'm seeing the value of "checking in"."

Apprenticeship Rhythms One and Three: The Weekly Assignments and Daily Forum Posts

The Assignments in Week Eight focus on the simple but powerful idea that "church flows from listening". Below is the forum post of one member of the Apprenticeship. Below that is my response to his post. (You can see how the online forum becomes a place of dialogue and learning.)

John

"Well, I must admit for the first time I am seeing the value of “checking in” (with each other and with God) to planting house churches—such simple practices that take the onus off any particular “leader” and can be replicated by anyone. And while I still don’t care much for the acronym SASHET (men don’t sashet; they CLOG), so far this is the simplest way I’ve heard to get all participants to open up, allowing others to know what is going on in each others’ lives. Good stuff. Thanks John."

My response...

"Thank you. I totally understand your reluctance with SASHET. I felt the same way when I was first introduced to it. However, I am a pragmatist at heart. I'm interested in what works. And, I have to say that I have never found a tool that is this effective at facilitating community. As with any tool (ie, my example of a hammer), it's value increases with experience and training but even a "beginner" can employ it effectively."

"My 6 yr old is learning how to hear the Holy Spirit."

Apprenticeship Rhythms One and Two: Weekly Learning Assignments and CO2 (or CO3)

Here's another wonderful report of a household (with young children) functioning as a church.

John

"(The assignments in) Week 7 was awesome! We use sashet here at home with our 6 year old boy and 2 year old girl. Helps them identify emotions and helps them feel like we hear them and their heart. My 6 yr old is learning how to hear the Holy Spirit. Looking forward to this week's assignments and learnings."

Family flows from listening

Apprenticeship Rhythms One and Two: Weekly Learning Assignments and CO2 (or CO3)

The Apprenticeship is twelve weeks long and every week, members receive a new chapter in our eWorkbook. Each chapter has three Learning Assignments. This week, the focus is on family flowing from listening. See below for another example of a home functioning as a church.

John

"This being spring break, I was a bit tempted to skip out on Luke 10 for spring cleaning and a mini-vacation--can you believe that? But my heart leaped when I saw that the week was about 'Family.' I felt really encouraged by Sean's story and wanted to embrace a bit more detail for our family CO3 sharing, which most often happens at mealtimes.

Today (in our family time) we read about feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish and listened to God around that story. It was a really fun time, especially to see (our five year old daughter) so tender and full of enthusiasm as she shared her thoughts, drew pictures and engaged us like a teacher with her questions!

Also, I am touched by the idea that listening to God, others and our own hearts can make us so much more receptive to God and each other. Not only can you 'go to church', sit in a pew, and go home again without really knowing others..or yourself...or God better, it happens at home too. We can go through our day with everyone busy in their tasks and not really know what each other is struggling with, challenged by, happy about if you don't intentionally stop and listen to each other.

I felt really washed clean and shined up and closer to my mate and child by spending this time together listening and sharing hearts. It really is a big deal.

14 year old prefers house church

Apprenticeship rhythm Number Two: CO2 (Church of Two)

The rhythms of a CO2 (checking in with each other and listening to God together) overflow very naturally into family life and into house churches. Below are two examples of this.

The first is a member of the Apprenticeship posting on his cohort's forum. Notice how delighted this father's heart is to see his 12 and 14 year old engaging with these rhythms. And, note how naturally mission flows from their listening together.

Below that is a video interview with another 14 year old, Nathan Duncan, here in Denver. Compare what you hear from Nathan with the typical approach to youth ministry which is a desperate attempt to entertain kids so that you can slip in a little spirituality. Feel the difference?

John

"Checking in as settled today, just feeling tender and loving towards my peeps & my honey & happy to have the Coach with us in our family check in this morning. Many fears and hopes were laid out & i feel that my 12 year old & 14 yr old are really engaging in the CO2 process. We had the joy of blessing some homeless folks today & it's becoming a matter of course for the children to see the poor & needy among us & they are beginning to have an expectation of opportunity in that area, which is cool. we're all listening for the Spirit today with regards to our future & I have this picture of us all standing at the throne, waiting expectantly :) "

My heart feels connect to you and we've never even met!"

The LK10 Apprenticeship requires a commitment to six rhythms.

Third rhythm: Check in daily on your cohort's online forum. ("Give me 10 minutes a day.")

Many people in the Apprenticeship have been surprised to see the level of community that has developed in each of our seven online communities (using either Facebook or Ning groups). The daily check-in is one of the keys to this.

See below for an example of the kind of comments being posted after only six weeks. The six rhythms result in meaningful relationships even with people on the other side of the world.

John

One cohort member responding to another member's post...

"Thanks for sharing this- my heart feels so connected to you guys and we've never even met! I am excited for your family and in prayer for your future ♥"

"A powerfully affirming daily routine"

Of course, we mean something different by CO2 than when the term is used in the environmental sense.

The CO2 (church of two) is one of the six rhythms of the LK10 Apprenticeship. At first, it's sometimes challenging to begin this as an every day rhythm. But, over and over, once people find that rhythm, it becomes foundational for their lives. See the quote below from one of the members of the Apprenticeship on her cohort forum.

What difference would it make if CO2s were to become global?

John

"I'm checking in excited. Today was a good day and it is Friday. My CO2 partner is traveling this weekend, so I offered to not do our calls for the weekend. It was very affirming that he said he wanted to continue them because they are very helpful. It is mutual and what seemed a little overwhelming to me when this (ie, the Apprenticeship) started 5 weeks ago, (a phone call every day) has become a very big blessing and a powerfully affirming daily routine. I am also excited about what I am learning from the E-book lessons and the way God is calling me to a deeper relationship with Him. I'm in!"

"I am amazed how we have church on the phone!"

One of the six rhythms of the Apprenticeship is a conference call every two weeks with your cohort. Early on we wondered if a virtual community (phone, online forum, etc) could really become community. What we have discovered is that it really works! As people are faithful to engage all six of the rhythms, genuine community emerges.

Below are some of the forum posts after a conference call last week with the Central Texas Cohort.

(BTW, for you younger folks, that strange looking black thing is what phones used to look like!)

John

"I love you all! I am amazed how we have church on the phone!"

"Checking in as Happy. What wonderful testimonies by Valerie last night on our conference call. Also 11 out of 12 on the call. Faithful people!"

"Ya know, I'm checking in feeling pretty good. It's a beautiful day and Lacy's song last night was really powerful. I know it was only over the phone, but it really ministered to me and man, I feel peace. God is good!"

The Apprenticeship in Kenya

Many of the members of the Apprenticeship have chosen their spouses as their CO2 partners. The result has been numerous postings on the cohort forums about transformed marriages. Below is a posting from a church planter in Kenya who is part of the African Cohort.

"I'm checking in this morning scared, Its planting season and i have not ploughed,heavy rains are just about the corner and planting kicks off.Today the internet looks faster than most days,My family is happy and praying for our cohort that has made me happy.We are taking time to listen to each others heart and this has encouraged my wife so much and i feel blessed with teachings in week three.As we start week four my heart is refreshed that the past three weeks have tremendously changed both of us especially when dealing with each other.Today we create time for each to listen to our hearts and what God is saying.Im expectant because i know the lord has more in store.have beautiful week of listening to God."

Here's what his wife posted:

Im tender because my husband listens to me and im very very excited there is heart to heart conversation.I feel newness in the spirit.

Writing on through the tears

Each week in the Apprenticeship, there are four Learning Assignments. These Assignments involve watching a video or reading a short article and then dialoguing with the Lord about the content. Then, people post what they heard on their cohort's online forum. Often these conversations with the Lord are quite powerful.

Here's one example...

"Checking in as happy after having a powerful encounter with our Father. After watching John's "Spontaneous Church" video, Assignment #1, I asked God how do I get to the place where I'm only doing what I see Him doing? I wrote what He said in red, which I thought was a really cool assignment....He said

"Lay aside your schedule, your plans, your urgings, and come to Me, you who are heavy laden and concerned with many things. Come be with Me and enter into My rest me. Let Me wash over you with My presence and My love. Let Me show you things to come. Let Me share My secret, let Me open My heart to you. Let Me heal your heart...so you can see what's important to Me. Then just follow Me, follow where you see Me going. Maybe we won't go anywhere today, maybe we'll just be together in My rest. Enjoy just being with Me, I love just being with you. I love you."

Well, by then I was blubbering and couldn't even see the page I was writing on through the tears. But I can tell you that after a while of just being in His presence, my heart is healed from some very painful things that happened today. His love reached down into the hurt places of my heart and washed it all out. Then He filled me back up with His joy. That's exactly how it happened. How powerful our God is."

CO2 virus spreading around the world

Margie James, who is part of the Australian Cohort in the LK10 Apprenticeship, just returned from India where she and her husband attended the Global Summit on Market Ministries. (Speakers included Victor Choudrie, Tony Dale and Wolfgang Simson.)

Margie was delighted to find the CO2 "virus" spreading there in India.

Here's her report...

"...let me tell you about several people we met at the Global Summit who were doing CO2 or had completed The Apprenticeship! We had much to share and I was HAPPY to tell everyone about our Aussie Apprentice Cohorts!

Almost 200 delegates from around the world were introduced to the smallest form of church and we shared some of the Lk.10.com practices with those who were interested to know more. Some already were aware of LK10.com and others were eager to know! We were able to direct them to the LK.10 website! It was awesome to meet people on the same heart journey!"

Maree Watson, who is also part of the Australian Cohort responds... "Beautiful! and how fab that the co2 virus is spreading all around the world."

Apprenticeship: Daily?

I appreciate the way so many of you have responded thoughtfully to my message about recommitting to the daily rhythms of the Apprenticeship.

http://storiesfromtherevolution.blogspot.com/2011/02/message-from-john-to-apprenticeship.html

Here are two of the comments...

"Listened to John's encouragement to be faithful to our committment in the apprenticeship. It really is important to meet daily. We are seeing results from those who are meeting daily on facebook. I also want to encourage everyone to set up your coaching appointments. Cathy had her first one with Wade last night and she was surprised on what came out. She said it was unexpected and powerful."

"I watched the video that John White made about commitment to checking in and such. This apprenticeship has been life changing to me. This is so exciting to me and I enjoy practicing what I learn and hear. I really liked how John mentioned about reaching out to the ones that haven't spoke so much. So I want my friends to know that I really enjoy the input that is given in this group because it helps me learn and grow. Everyone here is so amazingly gifted by God and each of you have touched my life in some way! So thanks a bunches! ♥"

A Message from John to the Apprenticeship

As we enter the Fourth Week of the Apprenticeship, I have an important message for everyone who is on this journey. Please watch the video below and discuss it on your cohort forum this week.

I also want to encourage you with just a few of the many excellent postings from the various cohorts. Thanks so much for the time and effort you are investing!

John

"I am learning to talk to the Holy Spirit during this Apprenticeship. Never done that before so much. But, it feels refreshing to ask questions to the right person. I really like the concept of seeing the Holy Spirit as The Coach."

(After watching the interview with Mark Virkler) "God is using this man and the revelation about hearing God's voice through tuning into the flow of spontaneous thoughts and journaling to radically change people and bring them into intimacy with Himself. I am one."

"Listening and tuning into flow has become a part of my day as naturally as relating to my own family. I cannot go a day without touching base with Jesus, it is so natural to listen now... I want to recognize His voice each day even in the most mundane activities. It still thrills me each time I journal. It is a miracle!"

"Checking in tonight as excited because I just had a conversation with Jesus. I watched the last three videos for the week and really liked what Marty said about making the switch from "missional" to "incarnational". I asked the Lord what that looks like to really have His word in me and living that out in my life. I felt like He said "I just want to live My life with you, in you and through you. It's simple really. You don't have to make it hard, you don't have to make stuff up. Just listen to what I have to say and then let that lead you throughout your day. Don't stop talking to me or listening to me just because you get busy. I'm right there with you in the middle of your life. Don't stop the conversation. I'll keep talking to you, leading you. Pay attention to the still small voice inside you and you'll see Me at work throughout your day, your week, your life." I look forward to what He's going to say tomorrow, or even tonight while I sleep. Good night to my fellow God-listeners."

Micro loans and house churches

LK10 Apprenticeship: The Larger Story

One of the seven cohorts in the Apprenticeship is the African Cohort which is coached by Walt Hastings and Hobby Chapin. This Cohort consists of African house church leaders (most are from Kenya) in 6 CO2s.

One of Walt's recent coaching calls illustrates a key value that we hold in LK10. That is, that "mission flows from listening". There is much talk today about "the missional church". But, the question is how does a church (or an individual) become "missional". Our belief is that someone doesn't become missional by focusing on being missional. Rather, mission is a by-product of listening to God. We encourage people to focus on listening (rather than mission) and we see mission flowing naturally and spontaneously from that.

This story from Walt is a great illustration of this principle! As you listen to this interview, also listen to the Coach (the Paraklete) and see if He wants you to join Walt in exploring this project. If He does, email Walt at WaltHastings@hotmail.com

One last thing, if you are reading this, please share this with your cohort and encourage them to watch this video. Thanks!

John

Wade's melted heart

The Larger Story

Wade Adams leads (along with Jim Mellon) the cohort centered in Killeen, TX. Here's what Wade posted on his cohort's forum today (shared with permission)...

"Checking in as Tender. My heart is melted at the community we are experiencing in our cohort. I echo much of what was said last night on our (cohort conference) call about connecting daily. I have been reading a book called Revolution (by Barna?) as well as Acts this week. The idea of the Church meeting daily has really been resonating with me."

Yes!!! This is what we though could happen in the cohorts. More of my thoughts below.

John

Cohort Tip: Listening to the Coach

Anyone who has attended school for any length of time has had lots of practice with the analyzing skill. Solve this word problem. Evaluate John Steinbeck as a writer. Analyze the causes of World War Two.

The four assignment in each chapter of our eWorkbook (three Learning Assignments and Further Resources) require a very different skill. This video explains the learnable skill of listening to the Coach.

John

Cohort Tips: Think Like a Missionary

This is the first week of the LK10 Apprenticeship. Here in this blog I will be sharing stories about how it's going and tips for the participants on how to get the most out of this 12 week learning experience. (Cohort tips are at the bottom of the post).

John

*We ask the participants to check in daily with their cohort in a Discussion Forum. Here's what a lady in Sean and Desi's cohort wrote today:

Reading these comments makes me feel like I am among like minded folks. Many years in the traditional church I was looked at as sort of a rogue for saying no to opportunities to serve that I felt left me too depleted to serve my own family. I have always felt like if I don't have an honest open connection with my own husband and kids and yet seek to go about creating that outside my home, well, it's kind of a sham. Checking in Co2 style is so beautifully simple and yet so sublimely powerful. It really staves off isolation, which has a tendency to creep in before we even realize it."

Every cohort connects every other week on a conference call. Here's a glimpse into the Australian cohort:

"Just to let you know The Aussie Cohort has met for 90 mins on a skype call. We spent time getting to know each other, we did SASHET and had a listening time then shared and prayed for each other. It was Great!

Sharon, Jim and Graeme are experiencing wild weather with a category 1 cyclone and another big one on the way from FIJI. So while the storm was raging outside we had a sense of "Be still and know that I am God".

Margie and I both got the old song "Bind us together Lord" @ the same time!

Margie and Dave leave for India tomorrow with our prayers and full of excitement about CO2

A great start and we look forward to welcoming you Tim (Pynes) as our leader.

I'm excited and happy & praying for the other cohorts.

Maree

Cohort Tips:

Tony Dale endorses the LK10 Apprenticeship

Last week, I was in Dallas for the House2House Board meeting. I showed the our two introductory videos about the LK10 Apprenticeship to the Board and was very encouraged by their response. Tony Dale, one of the founders of House2House, shares his perspective below.

There are still a few days left to apply for the Apprenticeship. If you are interested, go here: http://storiesfromtherevolution.blogspot.com/2011/01/invitation-to-lk10-apprenticeship.html

John

Invitation to LK10 Apprenticeship

I am delighted to announce that we are now taking applications for the next session of the LK10 Apprenticeship. This is a unique 12 week learning experience designed to "Train Leaders Who Listen". That is, leaders (whether formal or informal) who desire to learn how to better listen to their own hearts, to the hearts of those around them and, most importantly, to God's heart.

Jim Mellon, long time house church leader and one of the founders of House2House Ministries, recently said, "The Apprenticeship is the most important step forward for the house church movement that I've seen in a long time."

Here's the process for applying...

Step One: Watch the video below to see if this is something you are interested in.

Step Two: Email me at DenverWH@aol.com and say, "Tell me more about the Apprenticeship". I'll send you a link to a 24 minute video that you need to watch and an application form. (The video is thorough and detailed because we want you to be clear about what is involved in this commitment.)

Step Three: If the Lord gives you the green light, fill out the application form and send it to me. DenverWH@aol.com We will get back to you as soon as possible to let you know which cohort you are in (assuming there is space).

Step Four: The Apprenticeship begins on Sunday, Jan. 30.

We are anticipating 6-7 cohorts (12 individuals/households in each). Many of these cohorts are already almost filled. So, we encourage you to move quickly if you sense the Lord is directing you to be a part.

Once you've watched the two videos, shoot me an email if there are other questions that you have.

John

PS - For further information about the LK10 Apprenticeship, scroll down here to see the various articles and videos posted on this topic: http://storiesfromtherevolution.blogspot.com/search/label/Apprenticeships

LK10 Apprenticeship: Week Eight (4)

Synergy, in general, may be defined as two or more agents working together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the agents independently.

In the first three parts of this interview with Jim Mellon and Wade Adams, we identified the following "agents" or components that create the synergy of the LK10 Apprenticeship.

1. Weekly (for 12 weeks) learning assignments

2. Private Facebook discussion group

3. Daily CO2 relationship with one other person

4. Personal coaching session every other week with cohort leader.

5. Community conference call every other week

In part four of this interview (see below), Jim and Wade comment on the final components...

6. Participants invest in the ministry of the cohort leader (see 1 Cor. 9:11)

7. Multiplication of cohorts

John

LK10 Apprenticeship: Week Eight (3)

Here's the best definition of the LK10 Apprenticeship: a small "community of practice" (a cohort of 12 people) that creates a powerful learning environment.

Our learning is focused on three foundational rhythms or practices...

1. Individually learning to pay attention to both our own hearts and God's heart.

2. Learning to pay attention in these two areas with one other person. We call this a CO2 (church of two).

3. Learning to pay attention in these areas with a small family like group. We call this a house church or simple church.

The learning environment of the Apprenticeship is the result of the synergy of several different components. In the last two posts we heard from Jim Mellon and Wade Adams about

1. The weekly learning assignments

2. The private Facebook discussion group

3. The CO2

In the video below Jim and Wade talk about two more components: coaching and group conference calls.

John