Held by but a handful of pioneers, Fort Beeler - - just a few miles from the Ohio River - - found itself under a furious Indian attack. Two of their chiefs had approached on horseback for what in today’s corporate jargon would be euphemistically referred to as “leveraged negotiations”. But, before their moccasins hit the ground, a solitary shot rang out from the rifle of Lewis Wetzel. That shot separated one of the chiefs from the land of the living.
Negotiations closed. The attack was on. The Shawnee braves quickly reverted to the strategy of digging under the fort's walls. However, Lewis & his brother Martin happened to see the dirt moving and – standing with their own tomahawks poised above the spot – they waited and watched.
Suddenly, a plumed head appeared & the owner tried to squeeze through. Immediately, Wetzel’s weapon swung down, & making good it’s mark, the brothers pulled the lifeless body on through. Now, a second brave – thinking his comrade to be safely inside – stuck his head through the hole and met the same fate.
So, it continued in that manner: 3,4,5, then 6 Indians met their maker in succession. Finally, the 7th Warrior – realizing that (tho’ the others were inside) no headway seemed to be made – cautiously peeped in before trying to crawl thru. What he saw was the business end of Lewis Wetzel’s tomahawk swinging downward.
Dodging the blow – that 7th Shawnee warrior made his escape and lived to fight another day.
Too often, God’s church is like those first 6 Warriors. We dig a hole of good intentions – founded on strategies that – in times past – have proved productive in winning ground from the enemy of our souls. Then, we watch as men are dragged thru it and we wait to do the same – without ever stopping to wonder why we are making no headway in our present struggle. If we are to be wise stewards of the life, minds, & energy our King has granted us – to fight & win the battles for the very spirits of men & women in our community – we must adapt & adopt new & productive tactics to fit our present times & struggles.
Jesus spoke about this (tho’ we often miss the significance of his teaching) in a familiar story that he told to his followers in the first century and is needed as much or more by his followers in this 21st century. And it’s recorded for us by Luke in what is the 15th chapter. Jesus said:
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (15:4-7)
What We Learn from Jesus:
1. Strike Out From the Comfortable - (v.4a) - It seems like so much of the time you can either be comfortable or adventurous. Jesus calls us out of our comfortable zone to a life of adventure.
2. Search for the Effective - (v.4b) - The shepherd searched until he found this sheep. He didn't just strike out in one familiar direction and keep going. We need to find what is effective and go there.
3. Save the Lost Ones - (v.5) - He did find it. And He brought it home. This isn't about going through the motions, it's about saving the sheep.
Here's the Plan: To start a church, a group of believers, that is effective in reaching MEN and their families. I do not mean a ministry just for men, but rather a church that is intentionally & purposefully designed to reach the least represented segment of our population in U.S. churches today: MEN.
I do not know exactly how this will pan out or what it will look like. But I do know that if I go out to hunt deer, I don't go out with #12 shot in the gun.
Some of my current thoughts are:
1. Messages will be intentionally short (15-20 minutes), moving, and to the point.
2. Teaching will be biblical, not shying from the tough issues. Questions will be welcomed.
3. Our setting will lean toward the rustic, rather than the posh.
4. Our ministry will be highly-participatory and active.
5. Gatherings may be on Sunday evenings most of the time, to allow men & their families a chance to get away together on a weekend, without having to miss the gathering.
6. The church will be called Challenge Pointe Church.
7. Challenge Pointe Church will meet somewhere within the triangle formed by Lebanon, Springboro, and Waynesville, Ohio.
I think if we reach the men, we reach their families.
If you have something you would like to say on this matter, I welcome your comments. Please email me at: challengepointe@aol.com.
This is a Challenge.
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
