August 2007
"Eventually relationships determine the size and the length of leadership." – John C. Maxwell
Over the last months, we have outlined a process in which leaders flex their style of leadership to fit the need of their teams. This is based on the idea that Jesus led and served His disciples differently according to their maturity. In the final stage of this process, the focus shifts from internal to external in the areas of God working, leaders serving, and teams growing. Let’s unpack each of these.
God works to advance His kingdom. In the first three stages of this process, God works more inwardly, growing each individual. In the final stage, God works more outwardly, producing the fruit of new believers, sending laborers into the harvest, and the multiplying leaders and teams. These are things that only God can do. We can attempt this kingdom advancement, setting up systems and training to volunteers, but in the end only the vine of Christ can bear fruit through the branches of his people. We need to be mindful of this supernatural process, or we will overemphasize structure at the expense of the working of the Spirit. Yet as God works, we the leaders and team members have a role to play.
Established leaders serve new leaders by empowering them to go and bear fruit, thereby multiplying the work of their team. Multiplying leaders have a kingdom mindset first. They are interested more in seeing the Kingdom advanced than in advancing their personal interests.
Their teams will grow through sending out laborers. Empowered teams bear fruit because they function in their giftedness and strengths. From this fruit, new teams start up. This multiplication is at the heart of Jesus’ method to reach the world. Sending teams seek to take new ground, opening up new opportunities for the Gospel just as the apostles did.
The challenge for you as a leader is to serve your teams according to their needs. What is the need of your team? How can you best serve them? Can you die to your natural strengths and let Christ lead through you?
“…every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:2,5 (NIV)
Director of Field Ministry,
Bruce Witt