"There is no success without a successor." John Maxwell.
In New Testament times, a disciple would choose his own master. He voluntarily joined his school. He then became his "disciple" (Greek mathētēs, "apprentice"). But when it came to discipleship, Jesus took the initiative. He personally called James and John and Simon and Andrew and Philip and the others to be his disciples. "You did not choose me," said Jesus. "I chose you" (John 15:16). Moreover, Jesus laid down for them the most exacting conditions.
When I was praying about pursuing my doctorate in Basel, I knew it would come down to working with either Markus Barth (the son of the famous theologian) or Bo Reicke. But the initiative was theirs. I ended up working with Professor Reicke but only after a lengthy personal interview where he carefully vetted me. In my own teaching, I've been quite selective about the doctoral students I work with. The seminary has its application, I have mine (which is much longer). A personal interview is required. I've never wanted a lot of doctoral students, just the best.
Once I became a student of my "Doctor Father" Bo Reicke, everything changed. There were no solitary doctoral students as far as he was concerned. Similarly, Christ calls us to a common discipleship, to share our lives and our loves both with him and with each other. That's why his comment "You did not choose me. I chose you" is immediately followed by his command to "love one another." It is by our love for God and our love for each other that we are known to be Christ's disciples. The call by Jesus was also a call to Jesus. He called his disciples to be with him, to follow him, to learn from him, to commit themselves wholeheartedly to him. When Jesus called men and women to be his apprentices he shared his life with them. He knew that Christian education is essentially likeness education, as Thomas Hudgins has so brilliantly described in his book on Luke 6:40.
Part of Jesus' great attraction lay in the fact that he opened his heart to his followers. His love was genuine, his life transparent. He drew others into a quality of relationship that they had not known before.
The story goes that when Buddha died he told his disciples not to bother about remembering him. It was his teaching, he insisted, that counted. With Jesus it is the exact opposite. Everything in Christian discipleship centers around his person. Jesus' discipleship model reflects the Jewish pattern of apprenticeship and on-the-job training. This was not the only option available to him. Both Jewish and Greek cultures had formal school models as an option. But Jesus chose the more non-formal option of dialogue, experience, and reflection in the apprenticeship style. This non-formal approach involved a relational coaching style with emphasis on an experiential hands-on training approach based on the relationship that existed between teacher and student, master and apprentice. The goal of this style of apprenticeship was to enable the learner to become an empowered master who could then empower others. Tim Elmore once described mentoring as "a brain to pick, a shoulder to cry on, and a kick in the pants." This model of discipleship is the way servant leaders prepare and produce the next generation of servant leaders.
Looking for a Doctor Father? There is no true discipleship without a genuine relationship. For three wonderful years, Bo Reicke was my role model and greatest cheerleader. The first month I lived in Basel I stayed in his home. I had constant access to his personal library. All this was part of doctoral studies at the University of Basel. This is not surprising. This unique concept of mentoring was introduced by Jesus himself.
To be a part of the fulfillment of such a profound and magnificent relationship is surely worth the sacrifice of every part of our being.
 |
| Enjoying dinner with friends in Basel. |
 |
| Just outside the great cathedral of Basel. |
 |
| The Festschrift honoring my Doctor Father. |