1 Samuel 13:6-7: The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were frozen with fear.

1 Samuel 13:22: So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hand of any of the troops who were with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.

1 Samuel 14:1: That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

1 Samuel 14:2-6: Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. The troops with him numbered about 600. 3 Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod, was also there . He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod son of Phinehas, son of Eli the Lord’s priest at Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left. 4 There were sharp columns of rock on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh; 5 one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba.

1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

1 Samuel 14:7: His armor-bearer responded, “Do what is in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide.”

1 Samuel 14:8: “All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us. 9 If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us—that will be our sign.”

1 Samuel 14:11-14 They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they’ve been hiding!” 12 The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” they said. “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the Lord has handed them over to Israel.” 13 Jonathan went up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. 14 In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about 20 men in a half-acre field.

Risk
Courage
Community
Strategy
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To allow yourself a loophole is to allow who you really are, or could be, to slip right out. With Jesus as King and Lord of your affections, thoughts and lifestyle, press in, give yourself to it, and go at it hard. And if you succeed, you will discover who you really are and will mature in both life and faith. And if you fail--if--the same will happen and you will eliminate what you are not and step forward into who you are in relationship to Jesus and the world.

A faithful God makes possible faith-shaped risk.
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The 4th century African Church Leader named Augustine said: “Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you."

Explore how your gifts and experiences can lead you into deeper faith and participation in God's mission.

Ministry Leader Discernment & Equipping Lab - Nov. 19th, 2922, 9-4. Lunch is $10. Childcare provided at no cost. It is for all current ministry leaders, future ministry leaders, and anyone who wants to discern what God may be calling them to as His children participating in His mission.
What is It? - It is an all day event where we will talk theology, mission, the Church, cultivating discipling cultures as disciples, and the practice(s) of faithful presence as cultural engagement. It will be highly practical, discussion driven and deeply theological.

Why an All Day Gathering? - We are taking the approach of a leadership equipping gathering for three reasons. One, we want to be sure that as leaders we are all faithfully living into Ephesians 4:11-16. Two, we need to create intentional gatherings to be together so we can reflect theologically as servants and leaders in the church family (that includes you!). Finally, we need to get together to actively discern the Spirit's movement in us, among us and out ahead of us in our city if we are to call the rest of the congregation to faithfully participate in God's life and mission. As leaders we cannot ask of others what we are unwilling to do. If this is to happen, we need to know our own strengths and weaknesses and understand that leading God's kingdom is not like leading in business or sports. A different posture and witness is required, one of hospitality where laboring, listening, learning and loving happens before we attempt to lead or bear witness to the presence of Christ among us. We do not want to settle for facilitating and tending to church programs. We want to learn how to facilitate and tend to Christ's presence among us. We will work through this understanding of leadership and witness together in the gathering.For more information, or to sign up, please email Jon@WilliamsburgChristianChurch.org