Are You Crazy?

When God led us to leave North Point Ministries and launch The Basic Idea Ministries, one of our dear friends reacted to the news with the following calm, calculated, encouraging remark:  "Are you crazy?"  Though I know that probably remains to be determined, I don't think I am.  Yes, we left a secure position in a great church, but the call I received...the download from God's heart to mine...was clear, increasingly strong to the point of being consuming.

My concern for the condition of the country, the church, our communities...basically, the culture compels me to pray for God's direction.  My question has become, "Am I (are you) part of the problem or part of the solution?"

Another "encouraging remark" that we heard at the beginning of this venture was, "You are not going to find pastors who will admit that they need help with their marriage or who want marriage ministries in their church."   I admit that at first we thought that comment might be true, but it is not.

We were befriending couples almost from the first month.  These couples knew us or were referred to us by those who knew TBI's purpose and plan.  The first year saw lots of hours with couples in trouble or wanting to avoid trouble.  There were more of the former than the latter designation..sad to say.  We did some conferences along the way, some speaking engagements, helped with training leaders, and worked on foundational systems for TBI's future.

Then a huge breakthrough happened last fall.  An organization that has connections with thousands of pastors both in the USA and in many other countries asked us to help build an ongoing follow-up plan for their network.  Training happened in November, the leaders from TBI and the other organization worked well together, and TBI was given the role of finding, qualifying, and scheduling leaders for 5 retreats beginning in January and ending in May of 2012.

Now we are 1 day away from May, 2012 and the retreats have been very successful.  We have our last one in Phase 1 on May 6 to 10, 2012.  The pastor/leader couples have received encouragement, been able to rest, grown in their marriage, and have been challenged to take the intimacy message back to their churches and denominations.  The plan is very simple actually. 

The Plan:  Lovingly disciple those in your own household then practice those same principles with others in the church, work place, and community.

Should our Father choose to bless us with partnerships from these pastors we will come alongside them and help with our A-B-C-D-E strategy and perhaps give their church and community another chance to participate in miracles of changing legacies for the glory of God.  Wouldn't that be "crazy" - in the best sense of the word?  :)