So, When Do You Know You’ve Reached the Mountaintop?

Sharing Lives—Connecting Journeys—Following Christ

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:2-3

Our life group is made up of very diverse and unique individuals. Spanning almost 40 years difference in age, some married and some single. We represent a wide range of interests and life circumstances and each person brings a unique perspective. We often utilize the “Heart to Heart” discussion resource that is available to our life group leaders (we have more if you need one). As people open their lives and share stories of their journey initiated by questions asked during the game I am often surprised by what is shared. One of our younger members drew the card “ask any person a question”. Turning to one of our more seasoned members with a great history of life experiences he asked, “What was your most triumphant moment”? She replied in a somewhat low key manner, “the moment I summited McKinley”. I think everyone in the room turned and looked at her to see if she was serious. Several in our group are outdoor enthusiasts and a few even have climbed mountains but none have even attempted McKinley. Called “Denali” at 20,320 feet she is the tallest peak that graces the continent of North America. As we continued on with the game each person that could, would ask her additional questions to expand on her experience. She graciously complied and an incredible story of perseverance began to unfold.

Climbing with a professional guide and an experienced team of outdoor enthusiasts the endeavor appeared well planned and orchestrated. However even in the best laid plans events may still unfold that no one could have anticipated. After the group attained the base camp at 16,000 feet it became evident that the guide himself was suffering from altitude sickness and would be physical unable to complete the ascent. The decision was made to leave two people to care for the guide and the rest to continue on up the mountain. Our group member described the awesome beauty and panorama that would await them and the incredible sense of smallness in the vastness of the mountain. Crevasses had to be navigated around or crossed and only one thin line kept them together through interment visibility and strong winds. The real test however would come only 1500 feet from the top. The physical strain of increasing altitude issues among team members plus just the overwhelming fatigue was taking its toll. At one point of stopping for a brief rest the decision was made, the team would return back to the high base camp. All but one, the lady who was sharing this amazing story with our group. Call it stubbornness or call it courage she would not go back. She had simply come too far to return without conquering the mountain. As she related the experience you just have this incredible sense of the obstacle before her. Strong cross winds with driving snow made the air and ground turn blue and blend into one. In the rare moment she could see downward from the ridge she was traversing she could see the 6000 foot fall that awaited her only a step away. The struggle was now as much mental as physical and now it was only her and the mountain. With visibility so compromised and no longer able to carry an altimeter she faced another problem and question, “how would she know when she reached the summit”? One ridge after another was attained but each like stair steps led to another waiting for her. Then the moment when the driving snow cleared and she saw all around her the flags of the teams and nations who had made the summit before her. She had at last made it….the mountain had been conquered but then another dilemma, “since she was all alone how would she be able to document her attainment to the others of her team?” At that moment she remembered the camera stored in her gear. Struggling with cumbersome gloves she was able to unpack the pack and open the camera…..now “what picture would best represent her achievement? Of course, the one with the flags in the background.” The ones who had gone before her had provided the frame for her solution but it was left to her to see the vision and opportunity. She would go on to successfully complete her descent and all members of the team would eventually recover. But for her the memory of that moment when she stood among the memorials to those that had gone before was worth the struggle.

As leaders especially on the front lines of relationships we all have those moments of fatigue and discouragement. Not all of our group members are perfect (tongue in cheek). We all live in a fallen world with fallen people. What a great opportunity for grace…..what a great opportunity for mentoring. The only thing I could envision better than climbing the mountain would be sharing the climb with others. Finding out that beyond myself, beyond my abilities is this whole new mountaintop that God is just waiting to show us. A place of unspeakable joy and beauty that will be worth the struggle.

Blessings to you all as you climb higher daily.

Pastor Steve Bishop

If You Are Breathing…….. You Are Leading!!!

Sharing Life—Connecting Journeys—Following Christ

Your impact in your sphere of influence should never be underestimated. Joel Comisky—a top authority on cell group development shared a thought in his book entitled, “Priesthood of Believers”. He says, “While the church has done a good job of training people to go directly to God, by and large, it has failed to train people to minister to others. The Pastor is still considered the priest, the only one fit to minister. This barrier, tied in with lack of mentoring, produces a church of spectators who watch the pastoral performance each Sunday. Long accustomed to sit and soak, the “sermon tasters” in many churches become experts in critiquing the pastor and grumbling when their needs aren’t met. How far we have fallen from the New Testament Christianity of Peter’s day when he depicted the church as “….a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1Peter 2:6).

God has prepared a place for each and every one of us…not only a physical place, but a role in His kingdom. Sometimes that place is in the business, farming or medical world. Sometimes it is in the public classroom and certainly it is in our own families. We are all leading in some capacity, and most of us desire to do it well but struggle with “how”. Often we are coming from a point with very little personal mentoring and few role models who have demonstrated to us how to lead and disciple. While the Holy Spirit often directs and guides our interactions with others we are also called upon to be diligent in our own pursuit of learning and intentional growth.

This fall starting September 12th Dr. Mitch Whitman will be making available to our congregation a series of classes taught specifically with developing the skills of leadership in mind. This is a series that is taught internationally by Dr. Whitman’s leadership resource organization with the focus being primarily on Christian leadership and mentoring. It will introduce both the practical and the biblical application of leadership in the Christian community, the secular community and the family. In other words in the places where we all live, serve and work.

Who should attend: All who see themselves as leaders, or potential leaders in any way. Life group leaders, teachers-sacred and secular, Dads and Moms, grandparents, those who currently lead in their business or profession.

Pastor Steve Bishop