This book—and all of the books in the Apprentice Series—would not exist were it not for Dallas Willard, a living example of a true apprentice of Jesus, who has inspired me in countless ways. Dallas’s outline of a “curriculum for Christlikeness” is the framework of these books. It is difficult to measure the impact of his life and writings on my soul.
And these books would not have been written if it were not for Richard J. Foster, who has poured his life and wisdom into me for over twenty-five years. Everyone should have a teacher as brilliant and authentic as Richard—I am grateful. Thank you, Richard, for finding something in me worth believing in and taking a chance on.
The person who made the most sacrifice is my wonderful, beautiful, fun and very patient wife, Meghan Smith. She endured many months as a “writer’s widow” and never complained. Thank you, Meghan, for knowing how important this series is to me by supporting and encouraging me every step of the way. And thanks for editing the material along the way. My whole life is better because of you. You still take my breath away.
My son and daughter, Jacob and Hope also gave up a lot as I wrote. Thank you for allowing me to tell your stories. Thanks too for supporting me while I wrote, rewrote, edited and taught this material. I know that time spent with others is time taken from you. I will work to make it up to you!
I also want to thank my four former disciples and now colleagues for all the encouragement and support you have given me. Thanks to the two “sons of thunder”: Patrick Sehl, for your relentless support of me and love for this material, and C. J. Fox, for being an example of integrity and enthusiasm; and to the two wise hobbits Matt Johnson, for your quiet confidence, dedication to the King and the kingdom, and scent of patchouli; and Jimmy Taylor, for your creativity and depth and sheer love of Jesus. These four young men are going to change the world.
I also want to thank three of my colleagues at Friends University who read the manuscripts of the Apprentice Series, offered a lot of helpful suggestions and helped me avoid some errors—Dr. Chris Ketter, for your theological insights, Dr. Stan Harstine, for your biblical brilliance, and Dr. Darcy Zabel for your literary skills.
I owe a great debt to Kathy Helmers, my agent and guide through the maze of publishing, for sharing my love for these books, shaping them into something good and then finding the right publishing partner. Kathy, you are the best at what you do, and I am fortunate to work with you.
Thanks to Jeff Crosby and Cindy Bunch of InterVarsity Press, who made it clear to me from the moment we met that you were quality people with incredible skills, a passion for publishing good books, and a clear vision for what this series is and can be. I am blessed to work with you both.
I also need to thank others who contributed in hidden ways:
Bob Casper—for your belief in me and these books and your brilliant mind.
Jeff Gannon—my pastor, friend and fellow worker in the kingdom.
Lyle SmithGraybeal—for never once doubting these books.
Vicki and Scott Price—for loving me and believing in these books.
Ashley Brockus—for encouragement and assistance so the work could get done.
Additionally, I wish to thank a few people that I neglected to acknowledge in the first book, and those people are: Jeff Noyes, Natalie Bryant and Jason Bryant.
Finally, thank you to the 109 people who went through this course at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Wichita, who studied and practiced the concepts in these books, and allowed me to learn from your experiences and insights. Your presence is felt in the pages of these books.
THE APPRENTICE SERIES
The Good and Beautiful God The Good and Beautiful Life The Good and Beautiful Community
Look for The Kingdom and the Cross and other forthcoming Apprentice Resources.
For more information, events and multimedia resources, visit www.renovare.org.
Just over twenty years ago Richard J. Foster, my mentor and friend, said to me, “Jim, I’m starting a ministry. It is time for the walls to come down that separate denominations. The church needs to do better at its primary job—making disciples. And people need to learn how to practice the disciplines not just as individuals, but within groups. We need to help the modern church connect to the ancient church. I’d like you to help me design it and help lead it.” I said yes. A month later we met for lunch and Richard told me he had come up with a name for this spiritual renewal ministry: Renovaré (ren-o-var-ay), a Latin word that means “to renew.” I knew right away we were in trouble: no one could pronounce it, and no one knew what it meant. But it sounded really cool, because from the very start it was already doing what nobody else dared to.
What I like about Renovaré is that it comes alongside churches, resourcing them, without pretending to do their ultimate job: namely, making disciples of Jesus Christ. Many people forget that the followers of Christ were disciples because they practiced the disciplines of Christ; yet it was those practices of prayer, morality, sharing the gospel, service, Communion and spiritual gifts that made the disciples’ lives so dynamic, and their spiritual lives so rich.
Renovaré is helping people and churches to rediscover these practices in order that we can be more like Jesus. I’ve worked with Renovaré for all these years (and partnered with them in the development of this book series) because they know that following Christ goes beyond denomination, even beyond the latest church program, and gives us tools to discover the with-God life in the very fabric of our everyday lives.
You may not immediately recognize it, but the book you have just read is very much a part of what Renovaré is all about—it has the same DNA as Renovaré, if you will. So I hope you don’t stop here, because Renovaré—both as an organization and as a community of the most Christlike people I know—continues the conversation and the journey you have begun in this book. Come and walk with us.
God is stamping “aprentis” hearts with his kingdom purposes.
He’ll use you to change the world.
APRENTIS SERVES
Churches. Through a ministry of discipleship and formation, God can radically transform the way your church community lives and works and loves.
Like-minded leaders, organizations and thinkers. Collaborate with us to archive, engage and expand the field of Christian spiritual formation.
Students. Through an undergraduate degree track and second major in Christian spiritual formation, you can begin a serious life transformation through your college experience.
Begin an “apprentice” journey today.
For more information, contact the Aprentis Institute at 316.295.5519 or email Aprentis@friends.edu.
