In one of my early week reads, Monday Note, I remarked to myself the seemingly blatant disregard that HP (executive office and board of directors) seem to have towards cultivating leadership. In the article I read, HP was noted to have made several inconsistent and mission-defeating choices in terms of executing their vision/leading their company. With the recent ouster of one CEO and installation of another (interim), it would seem that they are making the same mistakes. Monday Note calls into question how H’s board could do this so consistently – I make the same question for mobile ministry even at this early juncture of it position in the Body.
If you contrast the Monday Note article to a a survey of Jesus’ acquisition of, development of, and commissioning of disciples, you can see a strong swing in the opposite direction by Jesus. First, we see Jesus as this leader who takes responsibility for finding the best people to not just work the field, but also take up a position of leadership. Regard how Peter was called forth – a man working in his field, clearly skilled and having a position of social leadership – Jesus challenges him to take what he learned and be utilized of that reputation and intelligence into another context – probably one where he was only lightly qualified. And as we see the conversations between them (in the context of others and one-on-one), we see Jesus’ behavior of provoking what Peter already knew about himself to take a step up and align itself with the mindset and activity of Jesus.
As you move forward in your projects and opportunities in mobile ministry, let me encourage you to also to have in your DNA that focus of looking forward to others taking the baton from where you are running now. The movement – using mobile devices in ministry contexts – is only a movement when there are more than two people moving in that direction. Don’t allow yourself or your organization to have that history like HP of a board disconnected from the process of discipleship but holding onto the power to establish leadership. Create in your team-producing practices leadership development according to the skills and experience of those coming in beside you. Then when you move on, those persons are able to move walk/speak into their positions, drawing more to that movement and the Spirit’s effectiveness on lives and communities (re: Peter in Acts 2).
