Vital Relationships You Need To Survive
Many of you have told me that you enjoyed the book review of FIVE PRACTICES OF FAITHFUL CONGRE-GATIONS. I have decided to continue in this vein and share some insights from a new book by Dr. Leonard Sweet. The title is 11 INDISPENSABLE RELATIONSHIPS YOU CAN’T BE WITHOUT. Leonard Sweet is a friend of mine who is currently the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew University and has authored countless books and articles over thirty years. He is believed, by many, to be our leading thinker regarding the future of the church as we know it. I was on the Board of Ordained Ministry in Western New York Conference in 1971 when we approved Leonard for ordination as an Elder. I knew that day that he had great gifts and time has borne that out.
The first chapter is entitled, “WHO’S YOUR NATHAN? YOU NEED AN EDITOR.” Dr. Sweet chooses ‘editor’ rather than ‘accountability partner’ because he believes that accountability has been overused in our culture. We all know the story of Nathan and his relationship to King David. Nathan confronted David at a critical time and spoke truth to power. I also believe that he saved David from the self-destructive path that he was pursuing. Sweet writes, “What makes the Nathans unique in your life is that they are fundamentally best understood as welcome intruders. They tend to pop in unannounced to take the moral temperature of a particular moment, especially at the most inconvenient and disturbing times.” (p. 35)
Your Nathan, if you are fortunate enough to have one, is the friend who believes in you and wants the best for you. He or she will speak the truth in love even when you don’t want to hear it! (p. 37) Your Nathan will get under your skin, ask questions, tell the truth, and not leave when you get angry. I have yet to write my first book but I know that when I put pen to paper I will need an editor to save me, and my feeble attempts, from myself.
Finally, Sweet tells us that our Nathan will get us to ask the question: Is God’s name glorified or smeared in my life? An editor helps to let the spirit of Christ break free from our mind-forged manacles. “…In a world full of people who never even look you in the eye, a Nathan looks straight through you.” (p. 40)
If you can’t name your Nathan right now, perhaps you need to pray for one—in a hurry.
Be safe.
Brother Paul
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