Phil Miglioratti's interview with Alan Briggs, author of Staying is the New Going
Alan, I see your position description is "multiplying pastor" ... How does that indicate your position and your passion?
I get to spend a majority of my energy during the week equipping disciples to make disciples, leaders to raise up more leaders and church planters to start healthy multiplying churches. Ironically, math is a huge weakness of mine, but I love this role I get to lead in. A team of us founded Frontline Church Planting (www.frontlinechurchplanting.com) about 5 years ago and I currently serve as the Director. I spend a lot of our time with everyday missionaries and missional misfits who want to have a faithful impact for Jesus.
Unpack the subtitle, "Choosing to Love Where God Places You"
The subtitle has deeply connected with a lot of folks. Many people, even those far from church life, comment on how they have been wrestling with this same concept of loving and committing to a place and those who live there.
- Choosing - you seem to speak often about risk ...
It's certainly a choice. In North America joining God's mission seems to be optional, and in some circles people have never felt the permission or challenge to do so. I wanted the title to serve as both a call and a warning that it is, indeed, a risk. Jesus called the disciples to a risk, and I believe that's the risk every disciple is given.
- Places - what is the role of "place" (location)? ...
Place has been under-sold and under-understood as a vital piece of loving people toward Jesus. Places are ecosystems in which people live, play, work, make sense of life and seek to build relationships. Place means a lot to people, so it's one of our greatest entry points into their lives. While some Christian privilege can be taken away through legal decisions the grassroots relationships that our places offer us cannot be taken away. The early church exploded in the midst of a powerful Roman Empire because of the commitment to live the gospel into the everyday rhythm of life, work and relationships with those around them.
- Love - why love? ...
Apart from love we've got nothing new to offer this world. Devoid of love our faith will be expressed through proclaiming and embodying the gospel as purely an expansion scheme or a growth strategy. Love is what draws us to the Father, and love for people and the places where they reside is what brings out the saltiness and gives off a glow. A love for our places, however cool or uncool they might seem, can be a radical statement of contentment in discontent culture.
- God - what is God's role in our calling? ...
We can do nothing apart from the Father, but we'll certainly keep trying:) I think we've all had futile seasons of ministry, because we tried to do things ourselves. Ultimately we have to trust the sovereignty of God that HE has placed us around people who HE wants us to have an impact on. I believe we trust God's sovereignty in many areas, but the North American mindset puts ourselves as the chooser of where we live and who we'll interact with. We need to give up that false reality and realize God orders our steps, even as far as the home where we reside.
What does Cal Ripken teach us about our role, our ministry?
Cal was an All Star, but he experienced something most professional athletes never will; longevity. I remember getting teary-eyed watching Cal take a lap with a cheering crowd at Camden Yards as he broke the streak of consecutive games played. Our culture largely honors those who hit the most home runs, not those who keep putting the cleats on and keep showing up. Cal's life rooted in a small geography of Maryland committed to one team has become a narrative that has shaped my ministry. Our heroes, both secular and Christian, will shape our own narrative. Choose wisely.
How is "We began to offer our lives to our neighbors" a statement of a radical transformation ...
Before following God's call to mission in our neighborhood we offered only leftovers to neighbors, mostly accidental encounters. Now the challenge is to be intentional in giving some of our best time, energy, intention and attention to our physical neighbors. Today, in fact, our neighbor who is a special needs adult celebrates his birthday, and we're throwing him a surprise party. Offering leftovers doesn't exactly communicate the loving heart of God, so we made some necessary shifts to offer full courses.
Salt, Light and Shovels. Salt and light we get; shovels?
Salt and light are, indeed, what Jesus calls us. Those are identity statements that should challenge us to the core. Shovels indicate work, hard work. Being salt and light can produce feelings of excitement, but can be hard to understand what that looks like. I included shovels as a reminder that it takes work, it doesn't happen on accident. We laugh a lot with our neighbors, but we also have to get dirty as we remember there is, indeed, work to be done.
What more would you like to say to us?
I have done a lot of ministry in unique and exciting areas, but I have never experienced anything like living with intention in a neighborhood and a city. God has met my family in such unique ways and shown amazing victories that we never would have anticipated. My four kids join us in nearly everything we do in the neighborhood and, in turn, understand some things about mission that I didn't understand growing up. It can certainly be hard work, but it's a kind of work and relationship that the human heart longs for. It's worth the risk!!!
Alan, please write a prayer we can pray with you that expresses our desire to make a difference right where we are, right now.
This is a prayer from the back of the book, one I have prayed over myself and my family, and I want to pray this over you.
May your eyes shift from where you could be to where you already are.
May global adventures become local as distant humans become near souls.
May you serve and befriend and have others do the same to you.
May staying with God’s hand excite you as much as finding your destiny.
May your enamored heart find focus.
May your life be described as salty and luminous.
May you be as content on two wheels as you are between two wings.
May you dwell well even when you haven’t planned well.
May you have the courage to see the mission field right in front of your face.
May you be known for nearness and here-ness to those around you.
May the keeper keep you engaged and reengaged in his Kingdom work.
You can connect with me at AlanBriggs.net and @AlanBriggs
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