Relational Ministry by Bob Lehleitner

God’s plan to save the world was to become flesh,

sending his Son to be among us and to give his life for us.

I did not grow up in a Christian home.  When my father was transferred to Kansas City, God sent people to reach out to me.  They loved me, encouraged me to go with them to church, and enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Finally after four years, I accepted the invitation to church and met a girl who invited me to Young life Camp in Colorado. I was shocked to find that it was a religious camp. Mid-week I confessed my sins and opened my life to Christ as my Savior and Lord, becoming a new person.

That year, 1967, I started at the university and became a member of the church.  It was the wild 60’s and I was surrounded by temptation. Although I attended church regularly I was unsure about what next steps I should take in my relationship with Christ. Once again God provided for my needs thru a person, Richard Beach, our Youth Director.  As Christ took the twelve under His wing, Richard was my spiritual guide, showing me that the Christian life is better caught than taught.  Thru his life he taught me how to pray, study scripture, share my faith and lead others.  After a 3-month discipleship training program, I started my first group with the commitment to train others.  Several from that group went on to be full-time Christian workers.

Soon I began working as a volunteer leader with Young Life.  I went to all the school activities at Shawnee Mission South High school, met and became friends with hundreds of students and manifested the sweet aroma of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. To my amazement hundreds started coming to our meetings. We sang, had skits and heard a talk about a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Many were unchurched like me but most had gone to church never finding the answers to their questions about God. Many had a Catholic background and discovered Young Life as a refreshing addition to going to Mass.  It was much the same for students from every denomination.

Although I went to the Presbyterian Church, our conversation was not about our small differences. We majored in talking about the main things that all denominations hold in common.  Suddenly students who seemed disinterested in Christ were excited.  Atheists claimed faith, hedonists changed their ways, and students were following Christ. Soon they were in small groups to be discipled.  They were growing in their faith and reaching out to their friends. Before I knew it the high school students were starting Young Life clubs with the Jr. High kids.  As they went off to college they started groups there as well. 

It is time the church gave more attention to developing and discipling our youth. I was in awe recently when Pope Frances said much the same thing in calling the church to be less judgmental and stronger in sharing the good news of the Gospel.  In our city we are part of the “What If The Church” movement.  Once a year churches of different denominations exchange pulpits and serve the needy of the community.  The results are wonderful.

When Pope Benedict XVI retired, I prayed for the Catholic Church as they sought a new leader.  People wondered why I would pray for the Pope since I am a Presbyterian Minister. I said “I think the Pope is my brother in Christ and also the most influential Christian in the world”.   What if the Christian leaders around the world would get together in small groups to plan projects and love one another?  What would happen if the Catholic Church and the Presbyterian and the Baptist and Lutheran, Episcopal, and Pentecostal could be one?  We all know this is just what Jesus asked us to do in John 17. I believe that Pope Francis could get the ball rolling. We don’t need to wait for him, we can start today.  Let’s reach out to our brothers in Christ.  I know God would bless those relationships and the world would respond to such a witness.  We are all on the same team we need to start acting like it soon!

 Bob Lehleitner is a pastor at Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, (Quivira Campus). He’s been on staff 42 years and has personally led over 100 discipleship groups. He’s participated in non-denominational youth ministry for 25 years, was a Young Life leader over 10 years. Bob was the chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs for 9 seasons and has helped manage multiple college Icthus campus ministries. He is husband to Gwen and father to Margi and Trey.