Dave Barnett

Listening to Dave Barnett was quite the interesting experience, and I am grateful for it. Dave Barnett’s upbringing cannot be any more different from the common Pentecostal believer, but his journey towards the Holy Spirit is nonetheless inspiring.

Growing up, David Barnett called a local Christian college campus his home. Barnett’s father played a large role in the Christian college, pastoring and teaching, and from young Barnett’s perspective he was always busy and never around. This left Barnett with a bad taste in his mouth about the ministry, and did not at all want to be a part of it when he grew up.

While attending Messiah College, he was asked to join the staff of the Brethren in Christ. At this question he knew he was to become a part of the ministry. He therefore turned his focus to the ministries and being involved at this church where he worked on staff for seven years. It was during a transitional time in the church that would change his life and ‘life track.’ God began speaking to Barnett about the Holy Spirit, but being from conservative roots and beliefs, Barnett didn’t have deep beliefs in the present movements of the Holy Spirit. God spoke to him saying: “my disciples waited in the upper room, what do you think your doing?” Barnett new he needed to wait upon God, and the Holy Spirit.

Although the Brethren in Christ speak of holiness, they do not speak on the Holy Spirit movements. David began speaking upon the Holy Spirit, and in his own life the Spirit began moving. While taking this rash move in the conservative world, Barnett met up with much back lashing against his prodding the Holy Spirit, but he kept doing just that. Seeking the Holy Spirit, studying and searching for him. Through searching and researching, evidence of the Holy Spirit eventually poured into his life, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues.  Along with the Holy Spirit, came a burden for the town he was in. Barnett didn’t begin planting church, but planting individual small groups. Barnett’s idea, ‘Put small groups in every development and you’ll reach the town.” Barnett tends to shy away from the ‘big church’ idea and focuses on the core groups first, and from this there has been much success.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to David Barnett’s unique adventure unto the Holy Spirit and the deepening of his faith. I feel he has a complete unique path that us, being Pentecostal, should lend an ear too. I also believe his views on ministry are unique, focusing church on a ‘small group’ mentality. I’m glad this is working for him, and am thankful for his unique and fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit. 

Discipleship Interview

I decided to get in touch with my home church, being that there are two full time positions, a youth and head pastor, and also somewhat of a part time children’s pastor. In these three positions there are some differences when it comes to discipleship, mainly due to the age of the group they work most with, but much was the same, being that the ultimate goal was the same, disciplining a life of Christ. Following are an overview of the written responses from the pastors.

Children’s Leadership

Although children’s ministry, or children’s pastors may be seen as ‘lesser’ in the pastoral world, being that all ministries is important, children’s ministry is definitely fundamental when it comes to beginning and creating a foundation for that of Christ. The discipleship process if very simply, and yet has to be when working within the children’s ministry world. The process is not so much a process containing many steps, but is more a continual reinforcement of the Biblical truths. It is not done in small groups, or through three point sermons, but in pushing the very foundational truths of God found in the Bible through creative, memorable and retaining ways. Being a loving embodiment of the love of God, having fun with the children, loving on them and teaching them the beautiful basic truths of God is the process of discipleship. The biggest challenges faced in this particular children’s ministry is that it is of a small church. Attendance of children’s church fluctuates and at times it can be the same children for long periods of time, though this does not change the necessity for discipleship.  Effectiveness is of course measured by those children whom give their lives to Christ, but also measured by the retaining knowledge of the children of the Biblical truths taught. If they can remember last week, or many week’s of lessons, or if they see an object used in an object lesson, and then remember the lesson or Biblical truth that goes along with it.

Youth Leadership

The discipleship process at this age group is first and foremost embodied in the simple act of ‘being there’ for the youth. A youth that is struggling (all are with and in many different areas) needs someone to be there, embodying the love of Christ for him or her. All to often there is no one there for them. Embodying and showing the youth Christ’s love in their times of need is the most important act/part of the discipleship process. As a youth pastor, you are their (and often times only) Godly example.  Discipleship also continues into small groups, meetings and keeping in touch with the youth. The biggest challenge in making disciples is that the church is located in small town Vermont, not the easiest to disciple. Starting with a small youth group and growing it is challenging, therefore you often find yourself with a core – which you focus on and disciple - but when high school graduation comes, your core is gone and you have a new core.  Effectiveness is hard not to be measured by the numbers, especially being in Northern New England, but that is always an aspect. Effectiveness is also seen when the youth begin to ‘interweave’ the biblical truths and their Christian walks deeper within the fabrics of their lives.  When they begin seeing how pleasing God is so much more, and begin walking what you are speaking about, and also see you walking.

Adult Leadership

Discipleship making is best seen in our small groups that we have through the church. Although the head pastor can preach on Sundays and give specific actions points to follow, the head pastor cannot have a personal, discipline relationship with everyone in the church, which is why small groups are so very important to the church body, and discipling the adults. We have groups from the 20’somethings to our ‘wiser’ (elderly) folks who meet together and may watch a video followed by discussion. Discipleship is seen when people seek council from the head pastor. In their times of distress, there can be guidance given. The biggest challenge in the discipleship making process is getting those who do not attend small groups plugged in. Being that it is a smaller church, there cannot be a small group for everyone’s likings. Small groups are very important, but one cannot fit everyone’s wants. Effectiveness is measured when you begin to see the fruit in one’s life, the effects of turning their lives over and begin following the Lord.

Stephen Defrain and Don Heller's Journey

One thing that I thoroughly enjoyed about listening to our speakers last Tuesday was the complete diversity, and yet unity they shared with one another.  Stephen Defrain and Don Heller both held completely different backgrounds form one another, and yet here they are today, united together by the blood of Christ with a unified goal in mind: win the lost.

Stephen Defrain grew up in the church. Gave his life to the Lord when he was of but a young age, and lived for the Lord ever since, being called into the ministry and becoming a pastor. But, as Defrian put it, ‘He had pastured for six years before he “became” a Christian.’ What Defrain was describing was the ‘God moment’ that help him recognize the prideful Christian life he was leading that all Christians face, especially those whom have grown up in the church. Christ opened up and renewed his heart, making him realize how in need of Christ he was, just like all were. This revelation revolutionized his view on ministry. “Sunday’s we’re dealing with eternity” Says Defrain. His focus is on Christ, and He is continually bringing in people to his church. Defrain’s focus for pastor Journey Church is centered on Luke 9.

Don Heller’s story cannot be more different. Heller did not grow up in the church, but lived the life that headed down the path of destruction, alcoholism, drugs, and all that goes with it.  Two years ago Heller questioned God to prove his realness to Him. And he did in a miraculous way. From that moment on Heller was as changed a man as they come. He turned his life over to the Lord and began as much a new as he could. Heller began attending Journey Church and states, “Jesus saved my soul, and Journey Church saved my life.” Heller became very involved with the church, and will eventually be working towards a pastoring role, aiding the future of the Journey Church. 

Andy Stanley - Making Visions Stick

 Although we did not happen to have a live speaker in class, nor a teacher, I was much surprised on how appealing and enjoyable listening to Andy Stanley speaking on leadership. First off I assumed it was going to be like every other video presentation on leadership, but when he began working through his points, I could see myself mentally putting them into practice, they were simple, applicable and made very much sense in the case of leadership and growth.

Stanley first approach to steps of leadership started with vision, “where the vision isn’t clear there will be no focus, and where there is no focus there will be randomness.” Stanley also asks the hard-hitting yet truthful questions such as: “If you weren’t the pastor, would you even go to your church?” following up with: “If you hesitated (in answering previous question) the vision that you came with leaked.” Good stuff.

Stanley continues with the theme: ‘Why doesn’t vision stick?” and breaks it down into three main categories on why vision doesn’t stick, because of: Success, failure and everything in between. Success can affect vision because it can lead to too many options, to which Stanley puts it: “complex organizations are stupid organizations.” Failure can obviously affect vision because so often with a failed plan, one thinks their vision is kaput, but this is not so. One needs to simply try a different route. Thirdly, ‘everything in between’ can affect one’s vision simply because of life. Life is tough on vision. “Vision is about what could be and what should be. Life is about this minute.”

Stanley continues from what hinders visions to what makes vision stick, once again broken down into three categories: Casting a vision, celebrating it and living it. In casting a vision, one needs to, as clearly as possible, define the problem that God has called you to with plans on how to go about helping/correcting it. While one travels down the path of figuring out and working towards the issue, one needs to celebrate the vision, small victory by small victory.  Celebrating the vision ‘further defines and further clarifies vision’ (Stanley). Finally, one needs to live their vision. Do not ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do.

Although my response to this short video is itself short, I have taken away much from watching and listening to Andy Stanley’s take on vision casting and fulfilling. His advice spoke to me and my hopes and plans for my future in ministry and I am sure I will be utilizing this information and this video many times more. 

Jess Bousa

There is always a certain joy in listening to ones testimony, going through the grind of life on one’s own, searching for hope and truth, when Hope and Truth are waiting to be discovered by said searcher. Jeff Bousa’s testimony was no different and nicely inspiring. Through heavy drugs and alcohol and numerous run-ins with the law, Jess was finally offered a stint at Teen Challenge New York or head back to jail. Bousa accepted the offer, not entirely willingly, but went along with it. Later, Bousa states being ‘forced’ to go to teen challenge was: ‘[the] best thing that ever happened to [him].” It was during his time at Teen Challenge that Jess was called to the ministry. Ten days after leaving teen challenge Bousa was at VFCC and had ‘found’ his future wife before classes had even begun.

After four years at VFCC Jess applied and attended Gordon Conwell where he also helped out in ministry in Massachusetts. I found Bousa’s remarks of ministry in New England to be quite interesting. In reference to the ministry opportunities in Southern New England, Bousa was quoted calling SNE ‘the pastor’s graveyard,’ acknowledging the call one needs to have to head up there.  Being from Northern New England, with a heart for such place, I found it very interesting hearing one’s opinion on the difficulties of ministry in New England. I can agree (although Southern New England is much different from the North).

While at Gordon Conwell, Bousa also published his first book: “The Discipleship Dare,” where Bousa challenges those whom are disciples, or claim to be such, to read and hopefully take a deeper walk with the Lord. Bousa respectfully wrote this book during finals at Gordon Conwell. Jeff’s comment on discipleship: “The simpler it is, the more reproducible it is”