| I have been
on a quest for many years to find ways to engage Christians
in “active” ministry, as they move toward maturity.
To that end, I believe that God revealed to me a process
I call “life-walking.” I have been amazed how the simple
process of life-walking has given mature Christians
fresh stories about how God is working in their lives.
I have had wives tell me that they don’t know what an
Opportunity Season is but they are amazed that their
husbands have changed.
Opportunity Season, the book describing and facilitating
life- walking, was published by Tate Publishing. I have
been presenting the concept at Iron Sharpens Iron conferences
as well as the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries
during the spring of 2008.
Opportunity Season is a 12 week intentional time of
spiritual growth where 2, 4, 6, or 8 people work on
body, soul and spirit opportunities. Some of differences
between Opportunity Season and other quarterly studies:
- You must work and engage with a team mate.
- The process involves a daily 10 minute call (the
secret sauce).
- Provides a weekly framework of discussion and assignments.
- Allows and answers the big open ended questions.
(What I call 10 year questions, such as, “What is
God’s call on my life?”)
- Very open architecture.
OS also provides a way for different types of people
to walk together for a time. How can you get a 60 year
old and a 35 year old to start a relationship and at
the end of 12 weeks they both have gained understanding,
perspective and a new confidant?! How in 12 weeks do
you develop a “college roommate” relationship with people
in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s? Amazingly OS makes this
possible in 10 minutes on the phone 5 days per week
for a season.
I believe this tool provides a strategy to match up
mature Christians and give them a way to be Life Coaches
and Mentors to many different types of people. It can
bring Christianity back into the fore-ground from the
back-ground for mature believers.
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