Global Outreach Website

Sep 20

Leadership development is a hot topic. Just scanning my bookshelf, a magazine rack, or a list of blogs, it becomes clear that any type of organization desires more and/or better leaders.

This is no different in the Kingdom of God. Biblically we can see God ordained leaders at the forefront of God's plan for the world. From Moses to David to Jesus to Paul and all throughout God supplied and raised up the necessary leadership for the advancement of his kingdom. However more famous movement leaders are not the only needs for the health and growth of the Church.

God consistently uses and is seeking to equip Individuals who can lead themselves and others into:

· A deeper understanding of God and his word

· Living consistently under the control of the Holy Spirit

· Caring for others where they live, work, and play

· Reaching out in mercy across cultural and socio-economic boundaries.

The leadership gap is evident when we see pastors doing most of the work of the church. When asking pastors how spiritual formation of their leaders is going, the common response is: "not very well."

How can individuals who will lead the way in Gospel-centered transformation be developed?

What is the starting point to fill this leadership gap in our cities?

Look at the life of Jesus. Not necessarily his words, but his actions. We see over the course of the four gospels, Jesus investing in the lives of twelve men. Jesus brought them along with him on a missional journey in a way that developed them as leaders. These men received:

· Truth - from hearing Jesus' teaching and talking through issues

· Equipping - as they ministered alongside Jesus and we given responsibilities

· Accountability - to be good stewards of what had been entrusted with them

· Missional Charges - Jesus sent out the disciples to proclaim and display the Kingdom

· Supplication - along the journey the twelve saw Jesus pray consistently and were taught how to pray

We believe that to make and deploy mature and equipped followers of Christ we should follow this paradigm of Life on Life Missional Discipleship. It means laboring in the lives of a few to produce holistic, outwardly focused church leaders where they live work and play, in such a way that the elemental fabric of families, communities and cities are brought into a transforming encounter with the Kingdom of God.