the drum|rob fairbanks

More Living Toward the Future

"Every now and then I think about my own death, and I think about my own funeral. ... Every now and then I ask myself, 'What is it that I want said?' I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King Jr., tried to love somebody."

- Martin Luther King Jr., from his sermon "The Drum Major Instinct"

HT - Sojourners

Apostles, Prophets...? How Do We Live Into Paul's 5-fold Leadership Model

I have long believed and longed for a true/workable/sensible plan for utilizing the 5 fold leadership model that the apostle Paul laid out in Ephesian.  I have not felt comfortable with much out there - even my own working out of this.  Chris Wienand is a friend, and a fellow traveler in attempting to figure out how this can happen in a local/trans-local context. Check out his Blog Link!  I really resonate with some the thoughts in his latest blog.  

What do you think?

 

Infuse Missional Project - Train the Trainer Event

If you read my last post you know that I’m in Los Angeles right now just wrapping up a training module on equipping people to teach the infuse Missional Project.  It is a intensive first step for those interested in discovering how they fit in Western culture mission.   The training went fantastic!

One of the rollouts is happening in Spokane beginning next week. I’m so excited about this material.  You can find out how you can get involved by dropping me a comment on this post.  I’ll get back to you promptly.

In the picture are a few of the trainers that participated in the event (there were others who had already taken off for the airport). On my left is Dan Steigerwald (CA's North American Director).  Going around the table is Billy Kappen (worship leader here in So Cal), Deb Hirsch (Author and pastor of LA Tribe), Matt Bowen and Dan Larsen (Cedar Mill Bible Church - Portland), Mike Katzenberger (CA's Eastern European Director), Steve Adams (CA's Latin American Director) and lastly, on my right is Russ Davis (leader of  New Community - the church I formally pastored). All great missional thinkers and practitioners!!!

 

INFUSE Missional Training Event - Training Trainers

I head out to Los Angeles tomorrow to join up with Dan Steigerwald and several others in a “Train the Trainer” event. It is another piece of our effort to push out the INFUSE MIssional Training that we have put together. There will be potential trainers from Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and Spokane.  This curriculum is being facilitated in partnership with FORGE America.  It should be a great time of learning how to raise at missional pioneers in our cities.

 

The next INFUSE (take a look at the outline) training will begin in Spokane, WA next week. If you’re from that area please consider joining us in this fantastic training opportunity.  You can sign up at Ecclesia Spokane.

Reflections of a Middle Man - Being Missional without Giving up on the Church

These are some reflections of a middle man.  I have as many friends now who would consider themselves outside of the church as in – or outside of the Christian world view in a sense.  It is strictly 50/50.  So, I can understand and in a sense, advocate for two sets of people.
 

via www.uffizimission.org

Jeff is a friend of mine and a bit crazy :) He represents what I think is true missionality in the world. I love and relate to the tight rope he is attempting to walk with the church and those who think it is both stupid and irrelevant.

Lord, help us to live into what we believe, uncompromisingly resolved to show Jesus to the world, through a group of people acting like Him.

CA Connect 2010 Highlight Video

via www.youtube.com

Ok, here is a sweet video of the CA Connect Conference I just returned from. It was in Kirchheim, Germany.  Enjoy!!!

INFUSE Missional Training - Spokane

I would like to invite you to join us for the INFUSE training for missional pioneers.  Infuse is designed to equip existing and prospective missional leaders and churches in the theology and practical expression of “missionality” in Western culture, while seeking to identify and mobilize pioneers to embark on the journey of creating missional communities locally and beyond.

Here’s a flyer with more information including dates, location, etc.

And here is an outline of the sessions, which will be led by Rob Fairbanks and Dan Stiegerwald and hosted by New Community Church.

Session One: The Story We Find Ourselves In
Tuesday September 14, 2010 @ 6PM

Session Two: Discovering & Following Our Missional God
Tuesday September 28, 2010 @ 6PM

Session Three: Cultivating MIssional Church
Tuesday October 12, 2010 @ 6PM

Session Four: Growing Local Missionaries & Sustainable Initiatives
Tuesday October 26, 2010 @ 6PM

Session Five: Listening & Learning In Context
Saturday November 13, 2010 @ TBA

Session Six: Missional Leadership
Tuesday November 30, 2010 @ 6PM

Are All Leaders Created Equal?

Joke: Robi (my wife) to Trey (my 9 year old son) – “Hey Trey, did you know that when your Dad was in college he was a better basketball player than Michael Jordan?  Trey: “No way, he was that good?”  Robi: “Actually no, when your dad was in college Michael Jordan was 13.” 

 

Ba-dump BUMP!   Thank you very much…I’ll be here all week! 

 

The joke may or may not be true.  Michael Jordan might’ve actually been better than me even when I was a college player and he was a junior high kid.  The truth is, even though I had a dream to be an NBA player and had a practice regime that matched the dream; I never made it, or certainly never even got close to being as good as Jordan.  Let me explain.  Regardless of how much I practiced I would never be 6’7” (I’m 6’2”), never have a 7’ wing-span, never have hands the size of catchers mitts and never have the jump reach Michael Jordan had (although the last one is where I was probably closest – they called me “Sky Walker” in college – no, seriously.  At least try to imagine me with a sweet fro and mad hops).

 

All that to say, I am not a strict egalitarian.  There has been much discussion in my end of the world about flattened leadership models – mostly coming from literature like “The Starfish and the Spider.”  While I do believe in an egalitarian approach to life in race, gender, worth, value, etc., I join people like C.S. Lewis who don’t buy the idea that everyone is equal in ability or gifting.  The fact of the matter is, it doesn’t exist in the real world: neither physically (some people are bigger, faster, stronger), nor intellectually (though I see myself as fairly bright, there are disciplines that I will never be able to “dunk” in no matter how hard I try or commit myself) and I don’t see it Biblically either.  In fact, to press for a strict egalitarian approach, I believe that it de-ascents the wonder, beauty and strength of spiritual gifting (Romans 12) and key leadership functions (Ephesians 4 and the APEST).

 

When it comes to ministry, we must honor each person as equal (Galatians 3:28), but we must realize that it is not wrong or unbiblical to acknowledge and celebrate the giftings God has put into individuals to use to assist the community of faith to grow strong, to become mature and to act like it is supposed to in the world.

 

Oh, even though I did not reach my goal of playing in the NBA, I still dream of dunking on people often – a dream that is sooooo sweet that I don’t want to wake up.  I do have some issues.