discipleship

NCFI Cares: Find a Buddy

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 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:25-26)

The book of Acts details the wonderful ministry of Barnabas and Paul (Saul) as they traveled to Cyprus and Asia Minor. The first time these two met was after Barnabas was sent to investigate Saul’s conversion. After connecting, they spent a year together in Antioch meeting with the new church and teaching many people. A partnership was formed and later included the mentoring of John Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark. Even though there would be disagreements and a parting of ways, we see evidence of reconciliation and the Lord’s ultimate plan of growing the church through these three great men.

Barnabas and Paul followed the original format of ministry instituted by Jesus with the disciples, sending them out “two by two.” In teams of two, the disciples were assigned to proclaim the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and cast out demons (Luke 9:1-6). This buddy system used in scripture is more than just preventing loneliness. Jesus promised when “two or more are gather” he is with us. So, two people praying together invite the Lord to participate (Matthew 18:20). The covenant of marriage is between two people, a man and a woman (Matthew 10:7-9) as well as personal disputes need at least two witnesses to be valid (2 Corinthians 13:1).

As we look at the future of our local nurses’ groups, expand our national fellowships, and even engaging with others in the work of international nursing priorities—we need to find a buddy! Now, I know you already have a friend or colleague, or even a partner in your fellowship. I want to challenge you to find a new buddy. Be a Barnabas and go out and find someone new to catch the vision for Christian nursing. Is there someone at work who needs the prayer and fellowship of a local nurse’s group? Or is there a Christian nurse in your church who wants to share their passion for Christ and nursing beyond the local community? Or is there a Christian nurse in your sphere of influence, or part of your local or national group who is open to how the Lord is working beyond the national borders? Now, don’t forget about the non-believers or nurses sitting on the fence of faith—you sharing how the Lord works individually, locally, and internationally to provide compassion care to all people, may be the spark that ignites them on their journey toward Christ.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you find a buddy to partner with you in supporting nurses in providing Christ-centered compassionate care locally, nationally, and around the world.

NCFI Cares: Students of the Master

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One of my favorite things about reading the gospels is how people would just sit at Jesus’s feet and listen to him.  For a moment, imagine sitting at the feet of Jesus as he explained the ancient scriptures in new and refreshing ways. His lectures included every day accounts of work and family as case studies in exploring God’s commands like love and tithing. He would bring applicable wisdom to challenging, confusing topics like marriage and divorce. Even God’s judgment of sin and death were filled with a new light of hope and understanding.

Contemplate the intimacy of his words as he not only spoke to the multitudes on the mountains, or on the sea shores. He spoke personally to each individual as a trusted friend or wise older brother. His language was poignant reverberating with clarity and truth enveloped in compassion and grace.

Jesus was a master teacher, orator (speaker) and mentor, thus we should be master students. Even if we have been Christians for 25 or more years, we can still be master students.

I imagine a master student being a faithful student. In addition to attentively sitting at the Master’s feet, listening and trying to absorb every word from the Teacher.  A master student would approach the discipline of faith as a living practicum focused on Disciple 101. For as a Disciple 101 student, the personal and professional lives are not broken segments of prayer, work, family, and worship; instead the studies merge all activities into a life-time internship under our Master’s guidance.

Sit at the Master’s feet and open your spirit to new ways of being a master student.

“Didn’t our hearts burn within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

Fostering Future Nurses

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First, I will go on the record to say…I am late with this blog entry. My life has gotten away from me and I am trying to get back on track. 

As a a Christian professional you may have asked, “What is the difference between mentoring and discipleship?” Mentoring is tailored for professional development from a more experienced colleague. Discipleship, like mentoring, uses the process of experience guiding the less experienced (Paul & Timothy in the NT is a great example. But, the focuses is on the spiritual maturation of the individual. Many Christians may have or have had a mature Christian guide them in the early years of faith. The article Fostering Future Nurses in Journal of Christian Nursing discusses how Christian nurses can merge discipleship with mentoring for a caring, committed relationship to guide future professionals in cultivating a Christian nurse. 
As an experienced nurse, I have had great mentors guide me as a professional nurse. My first mentor was a nurse I worked with in the hospital who really cultivated my critical thinking. When I left the hospital to teach, I told her it was because of her guidance that developed my clinical judgment and led to my move to academics. My next mentor was an excellent professor who was first my teacher then a colleague. She really gave me a solid foundation for teaching/learning, curriculum, and academic leadership.
How about you? Share your great nursing mentors…I look forward to hearing from you!
Carrie