Missional Metrics X
Number of young leaders we’re intentionally developing.
Another key metric. I think the multiplication of missional leaders is essential to the life and health and future of the church in North America. I don't say this from an organizational standpoint, a business standpoint, a leadership standpoint, but from a biblical standpoint. God's people have always needed strong visionary leaders. Leaders who they can see, touch, feel, and follow. Leaders they can emulate. Leaders who demonstrate by the way they live their lives, the transformative power of the Gospel. As a church, we must be more intentional about calling our young people into leadership and then giving them the authority to lead us.
As I look back on my first six years as a pastor, one of the accomplishments of which I am most proud is the development of young leaders. I think of Brandon, a young African-American man, who was a trend setter for us in so many ways. He was the first African-American to join our church. He was our first candidate for ordained ministry. And he was the first person we sent into full-time ministry. I think of Jim, another young guy with an absolute passion to reach the lost. We commissioned Jim as a lay preacher and he now serves a small community in Chickasaw. I think of Patrick, Emily, Joy, Amy, Kellie, John and many other young people who have stepped up to lead in the name of Jesus Christ. These things did not happen haphazardly! We helped nurture their faith. We challenged them to grow. We were intentional about reaching out to them and providing opportunities for them to see God move in powerful ways. We put them in places and situations that were not easy. And we gave them the authority to make decisions. The result is that each of them is now a vital part of the Body of Christ, leading in their own way, according to their own gifts and calling, and making an impact for the Kingdom of God.
The other day, one of the leaders who is helping to birth this new missional community shared an idea with me that I simply cannot stop thinking about. He suggested we go to area churches and ask them to identify folks in their congregation who have the heart of a missionary. These folks would be challenged to make a one-two year commitment to this new community, would come and immerse themselves in the missional way of life, and then return back to their home congregations ready and equipped to be agents of transformation. Talk about an intentional leadership development process! I thought this idea was great and can't wait to begin beating the drum for it when I start visiting congregations.
As I look back on my first six years as a pastor, one of the accomplishments of which I am most proud is the development of young leaders. I think of Brandon, a young African-American man, who was a trend setter for us in so many ways. He was the first African-American to join our church. He was our first candidate for ordained ministry. And he was the first person we sent into full-time ministry. I think of Jim, another young guy with an absolute passion to reach the lost. We commissioned Jim as a lay preacher and he now serves a small community in Chickasaw. I think of Patrick, Emily, Joy, Amy, Kellie, John and many other young people who have stepped up to lead in the name of Jesus Christ. These things did not happen haphazardly! We helped nurture their faith. We challenged them to grow. We were intentional about reaching out to them and providing opportunities for them to see God move in powerful ways. We put them in places and situations that were not easy. And we gave them the authority to make decisions. The result is that each of them is now a vital part of the Body of Christ, leading in their own way, according to their own gifts and calling, and making an impact for the Kingdom of God.
The other day, one of the leaders who is helping to birth this new missional community shared an idea with me that I simply cannot stop thinking about. He suggested we go to area churches and ask them to identify folks in their congregation who have the heart of a missionary. These folks would be challenged to make a one-two year commitment to this new community, would come and immerse themselves in the missional way of life, and then return back to their home congregations ready and equipped to be agents of transformation. Talk about an intentional leadership development process! I thought this idea was great and can't wait to begin beating the drum for it when I start visiting congregations.
Small point Doug, but an important one - you say that Brandon was your first candidate for ordained ministry. This was a Presbyterian church, right? As an Elder I take very seriously my ordination to ministry...were no elders ever ordained prior to Brandon? I suspect you meant to say full time ordained ministry as a teaching elder.
The idea of loaned missionaries from other churches isn't new with us. Ask Susan about her experiences with NCDs in Arizona. She'll tell you real-life stories about how this has worked, and how the return of these missionaries revitalized neighboring congregations!
Pray for young leaders to join us, and more importantly for us to seek them and join THEM. We must go, not just wait for them to come. We must go.
Posted by: David | August 28, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Small but excellent point!!! Once again my fingers couldn't type as fast as my brain as I was meaning to say, "ordained ministry to the Word and Sacrament" which as you rightly point out is only one form of ordained ministry in the PCUSA. Thanks brother!
Posted by: Doug Resler | August 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM