A weird title…

At each plenary session of the National Staff Gathering of The Navigators that we attended last week, there was an informational or motivational video. I don’t remember any of them except the last one. If it ever becomes available for general distribution, I’ll direct you to it.

In the meantime, I’ll describe it. It was very simple, just a series of conversational snippets with ordinary people who are making disciples. People who are intentionally investing in the lives of others. Young, old, black, white…a diversity. Kind of like:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb… (Revelation 7.9, ESV)

The one exact quote I remember was an older lady summing up what we Navigators are trying to do:

Navigators believe anyone can read the Bible, do what it says, and help others.

Key words: anyone…help others.

Toward the end of the video, each participant pulled out their phone and showed a picture of one person they were investing in. Because that’s what it boils down to: one person intentionally helping someone else. If you’ve been taught how to do something, say, spend time with God daily through the Word and prayer, you can teach someone else. And that person has a face and a name. It’s individual, life-on-life.

After the video, the emcees asked us to pull up such a picture on our phones. Someone we have been investing in or are investing in. Then we all held up our phones. 1400 of us all over the auditorium. Each phone representing another potential disciple and disciple-maker. Very powerful.

In the old days, it was common for Navigators to ask people in their ministries, “Who’s your man?” or “Who’s your woman?” “Who are you investing in?” Today, we might say, “Pull out your phone…and show me the person you are investing in.” (By the way, kids and grandkids count!)

Who’s on your phone?

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.1, 2, NIV)