Missional Leadership Development

Dr. James Choung is teaching a Bethel Seminary course this fall in San Diego on Missional Leadership Development. He introduces five themes needed for a missional leadership developer:

Theological thinker. They have the theological foundations — including their understanding of the gospel — to undergird a missional outlook in their ministries. They know that their ministries are not merely for those who are within local church structures, but beyond its walls into their surrounding communities and out into the world. They have a missional outlook.

Leadership developer. They have the skills to identify potential leaders in rising generations, and have the skills to invite them to grow in their leadership and impact to develop them into their full potential. They have a developmental outlook.

Cultural architect. They are able to identify prevailing themes in the overarching culture — and for the subcultures of rising generations — and speak relevantly and effectively into each of these cultures. They are able to describe the prevailing culture in any organization they lead, and have the skills to shape the culture to be ready for Kingdom ends. They have a communal outlook.

Spiritual mentor. They understand the necessity of spiritual formation in the development of their character and skills as well as their own leadership development. They know how to continue to develop others without ignoring their health and vitality of their entire beings. They have a transformational outlook.

Relevant communicator. They have the skills to communicate relevantly and effectively to rising generations, knowing how to speak and find other ways to connect in our over-stimulated world. They have a relevant outlook.

These themes are extremely helpful in raising missional leaders for the 21st Century. How are they expressed in your process of leadership development?

Power Through Prayer

One of the most challenging books I've read on prayer is by E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer. Recently I was unpacking my books and came across this gem. Here are some challenging thoughts from this classic work:

What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use - men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men - men of prayer. (p 12)

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned to talk to God for men. (p 27)

The men who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for Him, have been men who spent so much tim with God as to make it a notable feature of their lives. (p 36)

The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day. (p 42)

To be little with God is to be little for God. (p 81)

I'm convicted. Anyone else?

DeVries Family Prayer Letters

We are missionaries to the United States with OC International. We are focused on equipping and empowering pastors and church planters to embrace missional practices, and partnering together with leaders to strategically multiply churches to reach our nation and the nations among us.

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Click the links below to read our previous prayer letters:

September/October 2008: Sleeping in Seattle
August 2008: Running Alongside
April 2008: Culmination
Mar 2008: Steps to the Field
Feb 2008: Frequently Asked Questions
Jan 2008: Where are We Going?
Dec 2007: "Of the increase...there will be no end."
Nov 2007: Serving Church Planters through Coaching
Oct 2007: So You Think You Can...Start a Church
Aug 2007: Missionary Training at Bear Trap Ranch!
Apr 2007: Celebrate our Hope!
Aug 2006: You Can't Step in the Same River Twice
Jul 2006: Change!