DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion (DBMIM) Ezine, September 17, 2008

-- Book Review: "Silent God: Finding Him When You Can’t Hear His Voice", by Joseph Bentz, reviewed by Teena Stewart.

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Alex was mystified. He had just moved to Pleasant Valley Church a week earlier. The first Sunday went wonderfully. People were gracious and generous in their welcome. Alex felt perhaps he had hit his stride. It felt like a perfect fit.

But three days later at the emergency finance meeting, it felt very differently. Everyone wanted him to solve their financial issues, but no one wanted to listen to his ideas. He felt he had to interrupt the conversation just to get his input on the table. Had he misunderstood the situation?

The first 100 days in any appointment is critical. There are a few tasks that need to be accomplished. The amount of time and attention a leader devotes to any of these tasks varies with every situation and location. Others may suggest a different list of tasks, but here are five I am addressing as I go through my own transitions.

The first task is that a leader needs to build relationships. No matter how small or large the ministry setting is, ministry is all about relationships. In a smaller ministry setting, the leader builds relationships directly with the congregation. In a larger more complex situation, those relationships may be focused on the leadership team or the ministry staff. Without healthy relationships leadership will be like swimming through Jell-O with both hands tied behind one’s back. I suppose it can be done, but why would one want to?

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In the 1990s, the Promise Keeper Movement entered the Christian community, for the purpose of training men to take more active roles in their homes, churches, and community. Our mere presence there was not enough. PK challenged us to become a Christian influence, and a Christ-like leader.

At that time, I was a father with young children with whom I had a hard time connecting. After all, I was charged with conquering my corner of the world and bringing home resources for my wife and our little crumb crunchers. My place was to compete and win in the world’s playing field. My wife’s task was to provide nurturing care for emotional and personal needs of our kids, myself and anyone else who wandered into our lives. Right?

I heard the message a number of times that men needed accountability and community, and we should be vulnerable servants as we lead our homes. Yet not until the 3^rd or 4^th PK event did I get it. The speaker was a former chaplain for the NFL, and while I don’t remember his name, I will never forget the message.

When a player retired, the chaplain followed up, and part of his conversations included this question. “What did you miss most about leaving the NFL field of battle?” The roar of the crowd, a hard fought win, a championship – that’s what I expected to hear. After all, we’re warriors, right? The chaplain’s answer caught me by surprise like a pulling guard leading an end around. The answer he heard most often was that the former players missed the huddle.

Between the crashing blows on the scrimmage line and the roar of the crowd, when the action stopped the players huddled - checking with each other. How was it going? Do we need to make adjustments? They gave encouragement for a well executed assignment – or a kick in the pants when needed. The adulation from the anonymous crowd faded quickly for the retired gridiron warrior. But the loss of fellowship in the huddle created the biggest emotional hole. In the huddle, they could regroup, draw from the strength of brotherhood, and rise to the task at hand. The speaker then said the words that transformed my outlook on following Christ.

Most Christians have experienced a feeling of alienation from God and may have asked, “Why can’t I hear God’s voice?”

Joseph Bentz, author and professor of English at Azusa Pacific University, believes much of the problem is related to noise. Bent’s daily interface with young people so addicted to technology they cannot set aside their electronic devices in the classroom, and his own experiences with stress related to technology are key reasons he felt compelled to write Silent God: Finding Him When You Can’t Hear His Voice.

The book’s first chapter is entitled, “Is God Too Quiet or is the World Too Noisy?” Bentz feels we are succumbing to many of the technological advances meant to make our lives easier, but instead they create stress. Many of us, like his students, are so hooked on cell phones, text messaging, Internet, and email, we have difficulty setting them aside. In addition to the anxiety they create, they also stifle our creativity and block our communication lines to God. How can we hear Him speak to us when we are inundated with so much noise?

Bentz offers suggestions for how we can reduce the clamor which is the first step to tuning into God. But even if we do manage to filter out much of the racket, we may still have difficulty deciphering what God is telling us. It helps to understand how God communicates. In order to provide the reader greater insight, Bentz provides several biblical examples as well as suggestions as to why communication may break down.

In a frantically busy technological world, we must take active steps to get to a place where we can converse with our Heavenly Father. It is more than just talking at Him; it involves listening to Him, too. And to truly listen, most people have to adjust their lifestyles. Reading Silent God will help put you on the right track.

Teena Stewart is a published author and ministry consultant and coach for DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion (www.ministryinmotion.net). Her book, Successful Small Groups from Concept to Practice is available through Beacon Hill. For spiritual gifts resources developed by Teena visit http://www.ministryinmotion.net/gift_spiritual.html

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DBMIM Ezine September 17, 2008

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