In the 2008 primary season, one of the most famous campaign ads of all time, "The Red Phone Ad" asked voters who they would want to lead the country during a world crisis. This was a throwback to the '60's Bat Phone, meaning you get a handset, base, and just a flashing light when someone calls.
In similar ways, there is a misconception among organizations and churches that this type of emergency hotline exists, where men and women of character can be suddenly summoned to lead. Emails have bounced around from church to church seeking to land a trophy, pre-prepared church leader.
Jeff Christopherson, the North American Mission Board's Vice President says: "The pool of pre-equipped and field-ready church planters [leaders] has been well over-fished, and far too few seem to be concerned with the task of restocking the pond. We have largely been church planting by addition, not multiplication. And addition will never lead to movement."
Jeff Christopherson, the North American Mission Board's Vice President says: "The pool of pre-equipped and field-ready church planters [leaders] has been well over-fished, and far too few seem to be concerned with the task of restocking the pond. We have largely been church planting by addition, not multiplication. And addition will never lead to movement."
What made the first century church so powerful is that they never outgrew their obedience toward making disciples. Discipleship and development are two sides of the same coin. One side is character and the other side is competency. Will we be obedient to this call as well?
Lifeway Leadership reports that the majority of church leaders indicate conviction regarding the importance of leadership development. But why are so few actually doing it? In their conversations with church leaders, four main barriers top the list.
1. They don't know how.
2. They don't have time.
3. They don't have a framework.
4. They don't have the resources.
Today I humbly submit to you that I fully feel each of these barriers in regards to building a leadership pathway in our local context. However, I believe that God's heart is for the local church to thrive. I believe the local church is where the best leaders in a region will be developed. I believe God will equip us to raise up those whom he desires to change the world for the Gospel's sake.
A local church can prepare leaders to become effective disciple-makers in a post-Christian world. Are we up to the task? By implementing a leadership pathway in the heart of a church's discipleship plan, we can prepare homegrown missionary and pastoral teams that literally transform our community.
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