One word could change the entire world, if we only knew how to apply it.
As we are working together to disciple teenagers into disciple makers, our motivation is love for God and love for one another. Love is one of the most used - and misused - words in our language. It has been applied equally to people and things. "I love my girlfriend," or "I love my iPod." The same word has totally different meanings. But what does it really mean — especially in the context of networking?
In answer to the question, "Why Network?" we've seen in Part 1 that unity is one reason, and in Part 2 that equipping is another reason. Now, let's look at how Jesus wants us to love one another.
John 15: 11-15
"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father." -The Message
Sacrifice
How less complicated it would be if we could just follow the command to love one another! However, this kind of love is not cupids and hearts, it is more like "Saving Private Ryan." Jesus modeled love by laying His life down for those he called friends. And it was just as bloody as the movie! Love is not a transaction or an emotion. It is putting others first and building them up, even if it means setting aside your own goals and ambitions.
In our local ministry network, we have developed a youth leaders' small group where we meet for building community and studying Scripture. Over Memorial Day weekend one year, our small group helped another youth pastor move out of his third-story apartment. They had a 350-pound desk that was in his loft. We hoisted that beauty down 20 feet and then navigated a narrow stairwell. We laughed while we strained and grunted — to a successful conclusion, I might add! That is love — giving time and strength to help another in need.
Friends
Jesus calls us friends, not servants. Jim Britts, the network coordinator in my home town, said this: "You gotta be friends before you can partner." As friends, we check our logos and egos at the door. We meet together because we genuinely want to be together. By looking out for one another's interests, we become more open and trusting as we share about our love for teenagers. When the students we work with see the love we have for youth leaders in other churches and organizations, they see a Christ-like model that will influence them to love to those around them in similar ways.
Joy
Experiencing Jesus' love gives us joy. He desires for our joy to grow and mature. Sometimes, it is the "joy-despite-going-to-the-cross" kind of joy. This joy is based strongly in each network member's understanding of who they are in Christ and what He has done for them out of love. Each network member matures by developing their God-given passion and role for reaching teenagers for Christ and multiplying disciples. As our joy matures, our network matures, and the partnerships lead to more teenagers transformed by the love of Christ.
In Chardon, Ohio a group of youth leaders who loved and trusted each other, decided to enter into a radical partnership - they chose to meet as one youth group! Youth leaders from multiple denominations equipped teenagers to share their ministry and interests. It was a great joy to everyone to see how their groups became one. This may not be the exact DNA that God intends for your area, but it illustrates how many possibilities are possible when our networks mature in love.
Action
I remember the old dcTalk song, "Luv is a verb." So how can you act on the sacrifice, friendship and joy of love? Reach out to another youth worker in your community. Join a network if you have not already, or start a network if there is not one in your area.
Experience the joy of loving one another!