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."

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

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

LK10 Apprenticeship: Week Eight (2)

The LK10 Apprenticeship can best be described as a small "community of practice" that creates a powerful learning environment. Several components come together to create this community. In the video below, Jim Mellon and Wade Adams reflect on the third component: being a "church of two" (CO2) on a daily basis.

John

LK10 Apprenticeship: Week Eight (1)

We are continuing to pay close attention to what God is doing through the LK10 Apprenticeship. Eight weeks have been completed with four weeks to go. This last week I was in Killeen, TX for a LK10 Leadership Training Conference. I had the opportunity to interview two of the twelve people who have been in my cohort.

Jim and Cathy Mellon are two of the mature, godly leaders in the house church movement. They started their first house church 18 years ago and helped found House2House Ministries about 10 years ago. http://www.site.house2house.com/

In the Apprenticeship, Jim has teamed up in a CO2 (church of two) with Wade Adams. The Lord moved Wade into the house church world in the last couple of years after 19 years as a pastor in traditional churches. So, these two men are mature, experienced Christian leaders.

The Apprenticeship can best be described as a small "community of practice" that creates a powerful learning environment. Several components come together to create this community. In the video below, Jim and Wade reflect on the first two components: weekly learning assignments and a Facebook discussion group.

John

What's it like to be "coached"?

We are about to enter week eight of our twelve week LK10 Apprenticeship. There are several elements that go into making this a unique learning experience. One of the most important is coaching. Everyone in each cohort receives a coaching session every other week. I asked Sean Hyatt to reflect on what he has experienced so far. As you read what Sean wrote (below) you will gain a clearer sense of what we mean by "coaching".

John

I grew up in a church denomination where there was a lot of "pouring in" but very little "drawing out". All of my life I have "sat under" good teaching and preaching. A lot of pouring in. Even in counseling sessions with church leaders it was a lot of them trying to talk sense into me, and me doing a lot of listening. This had its value, but recently I have been learning that this could have been so much more effective.

Over the last 6 weeks participating in coaching sessions with John White, I am slowly (but surely) coming to an understanding of the value of "drawing out". We have had three coaching sessions now, each under an hour long -- and in all three, I have left the conversation feeling incredibly clear and edified in the topic we ended up coaching around. The first session had to do with frustrations and fears and lack of direction in my relationship and mentoring of my 11-year-old son. The second, regarding my wife and I butting heads over a certain stressful issue. The third was about an upcoming teaching session on prayer that I will be teaching that I needed some clarity on.

On all three topics, I came into our coaching session honestly doubting that it was going to help much (thanks to my old traditional mindset). Nothing against John - if there is anyone whose counseling and coaching abilities I truly believe in, they are John's. It is this unfamiliar process - how can just talking about something, and me answering a bunch of questions about it help get me the answers I am in such deep need of? But go figure - on all three topics after a short time of discussion over the phone, I left with so much direction, clarity, and understanding that I could not have asked for more!

What adds to my feeling of pleasant surprise on this coaching thing, is that in two out of the three sessions, I didn't even know what I wanted to talk about - and so we approached it by me simply mentioning a number of things that were on my mind and heart, and then trying to pick one of those topics I mentioned (awesome - coaching around want I need coaching on!).

John has been careful to point out to me at the end of each of these sessions, that the majority of our coaching time was me simply talking about these things, and discovering things for myself. He's simply there to be a good listener, ask some key questions, and make sure I am noticing what I am teaching myself as I am talking. I love it!

So, my experience in being coached so far has been both eye-opening and powerfully edifying for me. Personally, this has been the most powerful and formative aspect of this apprenticeship thus far. It has even given me the desire to be a coach myself - to learn "how" to coach others, so that I can be this helpful for my own friends, family, and brethren in the Lord too!

Smith Cohort (1)

Part of what I’ll be doing in this blog over the Fall is reporting on the LK10 Apprenticeship. During the Fall, three cohorts of around 10 people each will function as small "communities of practice". One cohort, led by Kent Smith, will be face to face. The other two, led by Tim Pynes and myself will be virtual. Our learning will focus on the first three of the seven LK10 Practices. (see below for more on this)

My sense is that the Apprenticeship will become another powerful tool (like the 10:2b Prayer and CO2s) towards the end of seeing "a vibrant family of Jesus within easy access of every region and cultural group". Our hope is to be able to offer many more cohorts in 2011.

Today, I want to introduce you to the cohort that Kent Smith (and Chadd Schroeder) will be leading. This cohort is part of the Master’s Degree program at the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University. This group was introduced to the basic rhythms of the Apprenticeship by Kent, Chadd and myself at a retreat last weekend outside of Abilene. I was very impressed by both the hearts and minds of this group of young adults. They are passionate for Jesus and hungry to learn. (And, these guys can really sing!)

The video below will give you a bit of a feel for what this cohort looks like. (I want to encourage the members of this cohort to be "story collectors". Listen to the Lord and see when there is a story in your cohort that the rest of us on the blog need to hear about. Do a short video interview and send it to me.)

John

For more on the Seven Practices of LK10, see http://lk10.com/media/lk10_visionpaper_2_0.pdf