On the road to the "Theatre of Dreams"

Sunday, September 18th 2011, will always be one of those days you just never forget. Before I step into "it" big time, I need to tell you that this was the day of my wife's birthday. I was in London, so I believed I was exempt. She's is a wonderful lady to forgive me for being gone, but remember she told me to go.
That morning we met our friend at a local car hire to get our transportation for the day. After finding which credit card could book the rental, we were off. Five guys jammed into a Volkswagen Golf. I was fortunate enough to get the front passenger seat. As I told you before, I am over six feet and my legs start at my neck, so this was sure to be an uncomfortable excursion.
I've never ridden in a car whilst in London. Being on the left side of the car, traveling on the left side of the road, and not having a steering wheel in front of me, was fairly odd feeling.
We began to navigate our way out of London, which took every bit of 45 minutes, and we were on our way to Manchester!! This is about a four hour journey.
On our way we stopped at a services station for a coffee and a bit of a stretch. We piled out of the car, and I couldn't help hearing sounds of a calliope in my head as if we were seeing the clowns at a circus. Of course anytime you cram five grown men into a space no bigger than a Jacuzzi, it makes for great entertainment.
Soon we were back on the road to continue our trip. Since I had a long trip ahead, I thought I would use this time to ask a few more questions from my new friend. He was trapped behind the wheel of the car, so he seemed fair game.
We discussed more about assembling mission teams and requirements to do so, but then our conversation turned more philosophical.
I've always prided myself on having answers to most questions or at least having some intelligence to produce a decent debate, but the next question he asked me had me stumped.
"What is the definition of discipleship?" he asked. Well I've been raised in church all my life, this question seems too easy. "Sunday School or Bible Study." I answered. WRONG!
So let's do some homework and see what it means for our self.

• Let's breakdown the word "discipleship" into two words. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, disciple means one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. The second half of the word, -ship means someone showing, exhibiting, or embodying a quality of another.
• Check out an article by Bob Deffinbaugh:http://bible.org/seriespage/discipleship-its-definitions-and-dangers-matthew-231-12, it is written well to address this question.

My friend gave me a definition that I will never forget. "It means to come with" he said. Then he began to tell me a very familiar story, and it is one which this blog is based on.
There is a story of a young lady trapped in an unfamiliar land. All she wanted to do was to get back home. She met some strange people while in this land that was definitely not like where she was from. There, she was told to go see the wizard and he would know what to do to help with her problem. All she needed to do was to follow the path marked out in front of her. She didn't know how long it would take or even where it would take her, but she knew it would eventually lead to the wizard.
Along the way she would meet some friends, all of whom seemed strangely familiar, and were in need of help. She couldn't help, but she knew someone who could. So she asked them to "come with" her to the wizard and he would know what to do.
I'm sure by now you've figured this to be the story of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. What a beautiful picture of discipleship. I had seen a lot of strangely familiar faces while in London, some that shared my story.
While there, I had learned the Gospel is more about loving people where they are; listening to their stories and telling them the story of one who cares for them the most. How did it ever become some sales pitch or bait and switch pressure tactic? I was fed up with that nonsense. This comparison was like fresh wind in my sail. What a time this has been already. Wow!!
Finally, we arrived in Manchester. As we drove into the city we saw crowds all walking towards the same direction. I believe they were going the same place we were trying to get to, Old Trafford Stadium (the Theatre of Dreams).
That Sunday, we decided to worship alongside 75,000 of our closest friends and cheer on the Manchester United football club!! Okay, so not really God inspired, but worship nonetheless.
I had never seen a soccer match in person, nor had I even considered it a REAL sport. As I was ushered to my seat, like scales falling from my eyes, I was hooked. What a match it was.
Manchester United v. Chelsea is a great rivalry and a tough competition. It was like watching the New York Yankees v. Los Angeles Dodgers in a playoff atmosphere. Simply thrilling!!
I had no idea at the time, but that little random event in my life, showed me the best entry point into any conversation around the world. In America, it is the local MLB or NFL team, but in the rest of the world it's soccer. I realized if I am ever going to meet people where they are and earn the right to share Christ WITH them, I need to take an interest in what is important TO them. As my friend often says, God is clever.
Our return trip to London had less conversation and more reflection, I think. Probably because we were so exhausted. Although, the next story I heard changed my view on ministry in ways I never thought possible. Just like soccer, coffee is also a great vehicle to engage people with the Gospel. More to come on that.....