Starting an organization typically takes a lot of work, time, and money. But in this season of a new church start, I am fighting to reject those concepts. All Jesus had was people. Those 12 disciples were all in and, as the world found out later in their lives, they were all in even to the point of death. But the simplicity of their "yes" when compared to their commitment and sacrifice has always amazed me.

Jesus's simple "Come follow me" with those 12 men is what started Christianity. With hindsight we can see how huge the commitment was but consider this: when they started to follow Him, the disciples weren't ready to give their lives. I have even wondered if they thought they were just giving their weekend.

But a relationship with Jesus is up close and personal. A relationship with Jesus creates a deep change of devotion. After years walking in an intimate relationship, we begin to model the characteristics of those that we are in relationship with.

Not too many biblical comparisons can be made to Madonna, but remember back about 15 years ago when Madonna "developed" a British accent? One might think it happened because of substantial time spent in the UK, but she hadn't spent much time in the UK at that point. It could be that she'd married a British film director, but about the time the accent was in full effect, their divorce was being finalized. The reason it seems odd to us is because there is a lack of relationship to give credence to the sudden change in accent.

This was not so with the 12. Over the years they spent with Jesus, they began to teach, heal, and love people like He did. You see, something had shifted as their simple "yes" had transformed into a deeper statement of "So will I!". The wording for these types of statements has taken many different forms, but these statements have all come from a group of people I like to call "The ALL IN" (read more here).

One of my favorite books of all time was written in 1896 and has sold over 30 million copies. Charles Sheldon wrote a novel of religious fiction called In His Steps where the testimony and challenge of a man named Jack Manning leads a pastor and small congregation to change the way they live. They attempt for an entire year not to make a single decision without asking the question, "What would Jesus do?". The characters in this book are a great example of "The ALL IN".

For these characters, something so much more than the original "yes" to follow Jesus has now (because of a relationship with Him) created a deep daily question of "WWJD". To be honest, while I loved the original context inside that classic book the "WWJD" cultural phenomenon never really appealed to me. Other attempts at this question have always felt to me like steps into a pool with no intention to venture to the deep end.

To use Jesus as the model for our lives is, of course, the goal but if I have to stop and ask the same simple question each day for the rest of my life, it feels like very little growth. Even the question itself leaves things up for debate and feels subjective.

In this season of rending away a spirit of religion and trying to focus only on Jesus instead of "church culture", I have found myself saying "Jesus did ______, SO WILL I!" This thought has been the heartbeat behind much of the vision the Lord has given for the church He is building among us. Instead of complicating things with cliches or slogans, we have written down a few things that embody what Jesus did and it has turned into a commitment of sorts for those at Selah Memphis who desire to transition for a simple "yes" to a much deeper "So will I".

Jesus offers grace to all! So will I.

Jesus provides rest for the weary! So will I.

Jesus delights in our gifts! So will I.

Jesus displays generosity to the point of absurdity! So will I.

Jesus daily gives his life away! So will I.

Jesus loves all people! So will I.

Jesus lives for people! So will I.

Jesus runs to the broken! So will I.