Hooked on Wolf

Bro. Thom Wolf

The man just totally rocks. TOTALLY ROCKS. And he doesn't have a web site. Nor has he written a book, although others have written about him and lifted his stuff for their own books.

I would like to offer this humble fan post as a marker for Bro. Thom, until he gets a decent web site up with links to all his incredible teachings over the past 30 40 years. There is no good reason for this post - it is not Thom's birthday, nor is he dead. But my gratitude for him is so great that this blog post burns like fire in my bones and i cannot rest until i at least start it.

- Bro. Thom is my teacher

- I first heard Thom Wolf back in 1984. When i was studying at West Australian Bible College, the teacher played a tape of this guy called Thom Wolf who joked about his name, laughed out loud, seemed to actually ENJOY being a pastor of this church called The Church on Brady. That tape inspired me - i knew it was possible to be a minister AND be a human being who could laugh and enjoy life. I wanted to be a minister like Thom Wolf.

- When i was studying at Fuller Seminary, I choose a class on church planting with Thom Wolf, in the hopes that it was the same man who inspired me with his laugh. It was
His class, co-taught with Carol Davis, was the best class I have ever taken at any school or seminary (i dropped out of quite a few of them).

I was hooked on Wolf. Big time!

He still pastored this incredible church, which he would later hand over to Erwin McManus who renamed it “Mosaic”. In fact, I was there when the transition was taking place. I joined the church and met some fantastic people who had come under the influence of Thom and his wife Linda. Many of them now live in India and around the world.

Thom shifted his teaching to San Francisco and I moved up to that city at the same time. For the next few years, Thom and I drank a lot of coffee together in our favorite city. And we gave tours of the city to ministry leaders and students. - he still lived in LA but travelled up to SF each week. Sometimes he would stay with us. When my daughter Abigail was born, Thom was crashing on our couch.

Derek Chapman, our prophet and friend, came to California to study under Bro. Thom - which is how we hooked up and have spent these years with each other.

Thom has a naughty side. A “mischevious” side. I have seen him do crazy stunts in his car that were not be-fitting a boring Seminary professor. But then he was not a boring Seminary professor. Thats why i liked him.

My wife remembers Thom as the guy who turned the car around and drove all the way back to pick up a shoe on the road. I remember him driving down that windy road in San Francisco, radio blaring loud and all windows down, tires screeching and Bro. Thom smiling from ear to ear as the Japanese tourists snapped pictures. Thats Thom. He really does enjoy life.

My Czech friend Sasa remembers him as the missionary who cried in our living room. He cried as he opened his Bible and began to talk about Jesus. Huge tears. And he just carried on as if it was normal.

Much of my teaching flows from his. My Tree By the River movement (taught in Japan and England) is based on his Universal Disciple. (posted by Geoff Westlake, another fan)
My PHAT teaching on apostolic pattern of ministry was totally taken from Thom. Except the name, of course.
My methods of Bible study with others was influenced by his 7 questions.

I chatted with David Garrison a few months back - the author of “Church Planting Movements”- and he shared how he also sat under Bro. Thom and learned so much.

Thom and Linda are now overseas. Based in India. Still going strong. Still influencing thousands of people.
I dont see them nearly as much as i used to do. The last time was in Prague.

I have much more to say about Thom Wolf and will need to come back here to write down my thoughts.

Have you also met him?

Comments

[Alan Cross]

You had to know that I would take the bait and add to this post! Last summer in New Delhi our team got to meet with Thom for almost 2 whole days! We sat there for hours as he taught us through stories, scripture, laughter, tears, and through his life. We got physically tired, but we hung on every word, didn't want it to end, and could not believe that 8-10 hours had passed. The man is so passionate and totally oozes Jesus from every pour in his body. I am totally convinced that a HUGE reason that God sent my wife and I to San Francisco in the late 90's was to sit under his teaching at Golden Gate (and of course, to meet you and Debbie, Brad Sargent, Linda and Eric Berquist, Derek Chapman, and all the other radical Jesus followers that forever changed my life).

I'll post a few more stories about Bro. Thom on downshoredrift.blogspot.com, my little fledgling blog where I have unknowingly broken all of the rules except asking for money! Thanks for getting this started. Maybe, those of us that know him can blog what he has taught us and send it to him to finally inspire him to get his stuff out there. The world needs to hear from this man!

[Roger Williams]

Dr Thom totally rocks! His Church Planting class at Golden Gate was one of the most awesome classes I ever took and that was 20 years after I had graduated from GGBTS and went back and took this class because of who was teaching it. And Jesus rocks through Thom!

PS: He is one of the scariest people I have ever met. Which is really cool!

[Debbie]

About the shoe. It was a discarded shoe. We circled the block 3 times to look at it before he jumped out of the car in moving traffic to see if it had a mate and was my size. The same day we circled another block several times to look at a beautiful mural in moving traffic. He lives in the moment - he doesn't just rush through it. Needless to say, he misses alot of planes (I have seen him miss a plane because he is so focused in conversation in a cafe just across from where he should be jumping on a plane). When I stop longer than is natural for me to enjoy life I think of Brother Thom.

I remember the first time I met him. He wanted to meet us at 1 in the morning in a coffee shop. We were yawning like old folk and he was unstoppable. He exudes the purity and joy of a young child and the wisdom and humility of many lifetimes.

I also think of him when I am tempted to be bitter towards people who hurt me. People have done some horrible things to him, many times because they are threatened by him. In true humility he lets it go, as a matter of fact I would think these things just float over him if it wasn't for the tears. And Linda, she seems to feel Thom's pain more than him because of her love for him. I think alot of ministry wives would know just what this is like. When I decide to hold reconciliation in my hands rather than bitterness Brother Thom is first in my mind.

I have seen Linda's passion in children that she has put together training for and loved. I have seen more authentic, humble spiritual maturity in a team of her 10 year olds than scores of teams of 20 year olds.

What an amazing, heaven sent couple. What a priveledge to have had them as part of our lives.

[Rob]

Brother Thom has always had a wonderful sense of humor and energy and I'm glad to hear he continues to share it with others throughout the world. In 1976, as a senior in high school, a friend invited me to The Church On Brady, and I continued attending until I left college many years later. He's been a friend of my family's for the past 28 years. Although I personally haven't seen him in a long while I do remember him fondly and appreciate the comments you all have shared. Go get 'em Bro. Thom. He may be unaware also that another good friend, Bill Hoyst, recently died of a heart attack. Please pass along if you communicate with him. AND BY THE WAY, THOM, GET YOURSELF A BLOG - IT'S THE 21ST CENTURY FOR GOD'S SAKE!

Robert Dugan, Norma's son.....

[Andrew] - i made Thom a blog 2 years ago but he didnt take to it.

[el mol]

87/88 I helped lead two youth trips to church on brady. that man and that church changed me forever. I think it was the second trip they were moving the office and some of us guys got the privelege of moving all his books . . . a lot of books . . . btw he told the greatest story at YL event in 98, still laugh when I think about it. something about falling down and running to tray and "save" the all only to pile drive himself into the cement . . . he is pure gold

mol

[Randy Kluver]

Thanks for the tribute to Bro Thom! He has influenced me more profoundly than any other living being. i have put up a link to my own blog to this one, and posted just a couple of my own thoughts concerning Thom.

[Mark Kaprive]

Bro. Thom is still my all time absolute favorite teacher, pastor, mentor, story teller---no one I know can integrate truth insights from sociology, anthropology and Scripture like he can....and then put it into a tune(can you sing the biogeovocvol song?!:-)... I am unexplainedly getting teary eyed because my son will still tell me to this day that his initial committment to Christ was when he was 4 years old after a Bro. Thom sermon!...
More later as this topic is worthy more reflection ...plus maybe Randy will use some of our posts in his book oneday!?:-)...gotta run to my sons baseball game where some is balls and some is strikes.

[Jamie P.]

I saw this blog & started dying laughing & explaining to my husband how great Bro Thom was when I had him for classes. I remember how intelligent and yet how air-headed he was. One time he tripped and fell on his way to class. He ate it and fell on his face and scraped up his hands. He came into class holding his glasses and bleeding a little and showed us his hands and said "it's like I'm kinda like Jesus- see my hands".
He loved seeing movies too! I had never known a "pastor" who felt it ok to see any movie. (most pastors/christian leaders I knew made you feel guilty for seeing something not G rated) He always tried to be in the world and know what was going on & apply it to everyday life.
Sorry...another really cool thing (actually there's a lot more)... we had a class on world religions and were learning about new age. And, well, he wanted us to go into Mill Valley (nearby town) and interview people about their view about God. Didn't get many "churchy" answers! But, I loved it because of that. I loved being in that area and out of the bible belt!

[John Atherton]

I first met Thom is 1978 when I was a student at California Baptist College. He came to teach in our "Pastor and His Work Class". I remember how captivating he was and how he spoke with authority, not like most of the other teachers I had. His teaching poured from his life. Like many others this caused me to want to visit the Church of Brady. I remember Phil (Zub) Busbee used to pick up students in his van and we would stay for the day in LA and soak up the "Brady experience". I went on the Golden Gate Seminary. Thom came to speak in chapel and it was packed. Following Seminary I applied and was accepted for his Summer Intern program at Brady. I bet I learned as much from Thom that summer as I did the entire 3 years in Seminary. He formed so much of what still today serves as the framework for my faith and practice. Today as I train young leaders they are receiving from me much of what I received from him, including my favorite quote, "A leader is a reader. Show me what you read, and I will show you how you lead."

[andrew]

yeah - he used to always try and read 5 books a week

once he was reading while he was driving which was kinda scary

and that time he tripped and cut his face? Guess what he was doing at the time? Walking and reading!

[Jason]

Two years ago I was at www.gonowmission.com conference where he was also. did not know him at all...we chatted around his booth...i began to share about all the indian friends we have in houston. he...yes he, hung on every word i had to say, he was so thrilled about the life my wife and live. he drags me to his car and gives me two books written by indians, about india. He said they will give me more history and current culure info than any thing else i would read. He was right...he gave me a hug and i went on with my life...a year later...thanks to bloggers like you...i find out just who this kat was...it all makes sense.

[Chad Kraske]

I attended Church on Brady for 2 years from 1989 to 1991. I came from Laramie Wyoming. I selected COB then found a job at Cedars-Sinai. Even this morning when reading Ephesians, I remembered his series on the full armour. I think it was about 15 Sundays. Influencial man with Good kids! Thom Prayed without his shoes on then. Standing on Holy Ground. I remember Larry, Debbie, Shelley, and Dave Mesa. Those are more than good times, they were times that shaped me. Thanks Thom for the ministry.

[Russ R.]

Greetings. I'm normally just an observer, but can't pass up commenting on the man called Thom.
Thom spoke on spiritual warefare to my class at the mission training center prior to our deployment overseas. Putting it in real terms, he spoke as the demon possessed man - spitting, hissing, foaming at the mouth and throwing himself on the floor. "What do you want with me, Son of Man?" Attention? Rapt. But the next sentence was his ever-present "Duuude!"
I was thrilled when Thom and Linda were finally obedient and went overseas. Even happier that they landed in our city in Thailand. Major 'duuude!' I'll always remember that July 9th is his birthday, because -- fitting -- Starbucks opened that day in our dear city...Thom's new office.
In an e-mail exchange once, he closed with a p.s. that hits me fresh every time I think about it: "May the Lord steal from you everything that steals you from Him."
Pax

[andrew]

thanks russ

once thom told that story at golden gate seminary when i was there and he asked me to act it out while he told the story

i was the demon possessed boy - i gave it my full attention and rolled around floor drooling all over my face - very impressive and realistic . . but not very attractive

anyway - thom and linda will be in california for the last part of 2005 and i might see them there.

[Chris McCorkle]

Andrew,
I'm so glad you created this page for Bro Thom... You don't know me but I know you through Alan C. I met Thom on a mission trip with Alan in San Francisco several years ago and could tell he was a true man after the Lord Jesus... I get his teaching vicariously through Alan... I think that there are a lot of people that would support setting up a site for Thom. I'm one of them!

[Chan]

well, here am i, writing a comment. i really wasn't planning on it because i truly enjoyed soaking in everyone elses'. i met this man at cbu, in california. i believe he remains here until he journeys back to india. blessings to know him...hear his stories..his passion. and know his kindred spirit... have any of you heard the clinton story..or have you heard him speak of his father? true and intense zeal for the former telling and true and beautiful compassion and utter respect for the ladder. i am grateful to all for your sharings... many blessings wherever you reside in this beautiful world...

[Matt Pierce]

Dr. Thom absolutely rocks! I met him at the Missionary Learning Center in Virginia. I just finished watching his lecture on the Universal Disciple on DVD here in Thailand a few minutes ago. Praise the Lord for men of God like Dr. Thom.

[Laura]

My fondest memory of Bro. Thom is of him preaching in our church (where Alan Cross is pastor now) with only his socks on...so real, and his prophetic prayer for us to be a dandelion "tooth of the lion" (of the tribe of Judah). He is an awesome Jesus-follower.

[Eva M.]

I served in South Asia this summer and Dr. Thom was the man who trained us in the culture and Hindu faith. There are no words to fully describe Dr. Thom and the passion by which he lives. He is truly beautifully, fearfully, and wonderfully made.

[pablo]

i consider one of his sons one of my best friends, and i have had the pleasure of being in thom's house countless times in the 13 years that i have known him. i have eaten with him, i have talked until the wee hours of the night with him, and i have watched him fall asleep as he is talking to me like a narcoleptic. :) and i was there when he handed over the reigns of the church on brady too.

the best testimony that i can give about him is that he is the same guy in his own house as he is outside.

i love bro thom very much, and i respect very few spiritual leaders like i do that man.

[Frank Loaiza]

Bro. Thomas Albert Wolf is the greatest.
He is a humble servant with the heart of a Lion.
He is not a perfect man and does not pretend to be. He is always himself and has a deep love for our Lord. I have many fond memories with him and there are many sermons that affetcted me deeply. I will never forget the many hours he spent with me and my buddies answering Bible relted questions during the holidays. I hope he begins writing books, there are too many neophites out there influencing the American church that are causing great harm to The Church.
-Frank Loaiza

[Matt Wolf]

Who is this guy everyone is talking about? That picture of him makes him look kinda out there. O yeah he is!! To me he is just pops, my daughter saw his picture and laughed. I love east la becouse of him, I love hot sauce becouse of him, I love the Lord becouse of him. I know how human he is first hand but also know God as called him his own. He gave so much that sometimes he missed out on little things, with us. But hearing these stories for me makes it all worth it. I think he might never write a book, but his chapters are those he comes into contact with. The cholo and the street corner at one in the morning, the hippie dude named andrew and his family, from up in SF. The person he'll meet this week in what ever part of the world God as sent him to the week. I love you Pop! keep it up.

[Manuel Solis Jr.]

The first time I saw Bro Tom was before I gave my heart to the Lord. I was at the park getting high. The church on Brady - which I would later call my home church - was having a 4th of July picnic. He was at one end of a tube full of raw egg. He used to have red hair. This stuck out to me because most of his congregation was Mexican . His face was beet red as he tried not to have egg on his face. Guess what? He lost. But he battled with all he had. That is the Brother Tom I admire. A fighter, a friend to those in need of a friend, a teacher, a great story teller, a man of grace.
I love you Bro.
Manuel

[William Wilkie]

Thom does need to get a more comprehensive site but you can see some of his material in three different formats at www.universal-disciple.com
1. Essay
2. Bible Study
3. Bible Study integrated with e-sword

[Bob Cleveland]

Bro Thom reminds me a great deal, of my "mentor", Elwyn Stafford. He was, and is, a hale and hearty man of great humor, and is an ordained Baptist Preacher, teaching in a United Presbyterian Church. Some rule or other causes him to be unable to join the church without giving up his Baptist ordination, and it's indicative of the respect folks have for him that they let him teach there anyway.

He was the man that transformed my teaching Sunday School into simply teaching the Bible.

I've made it a point to go to the people who made a big difference in my life, and thank them personally. It's also wonderful that we have a public forum such as this, to do that.