Developing Missional Leaders for st the 21 Century

Developing Missional Leaders for st the 21 Century Church

Sometimes things change and they are never the same again. This looks like one of those times. Life moves on. And so should we…….

“The first task of the leader is to define reality. ” Max De Pree

The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it will change. The leader adjusts the sails. ”

1. Missional leadership is the key 2. Most models repackage old paradigms 3. Discontinuous change is the norm 4. Congregations still matter 5. Leaders need new capacities & frameworks 6. A church is a unique organisation Alan Roxburgh. The Missional Leader

What does a leader for the open seas look like?

“a person with a detailed knowledge of an area of water, who goes on to a ship to direct it safely. ”

Spectrum of planting/pioneering Pioneer Starter Pioneer Sustainer Developer

Four enduring features? • Dissatisfied – Not grumbler but wanting change for the better • Visionary – Looks beyond what is to what could be • Hopeful – Change is possible and this inspires others • Risk takers – Acts on convictions and out of comfort zones Stuart Murray: Ch 7 Planting Churches: who?

The Innovators DNA

The Five Habits of Highly Innovative Leaders

Questioning /

Observing /

Networking /

Experimenting /

Associational Thinking /

Danger of one model for planting/pioneering

‘ If pioneering is a highly elastic concept that requires different capabilities in different settings is there a risk of not discovering potential pioneers if the notion is stereotyped. ’ Mike Moynagh

Questions for discussion? • Where are you in the spectrum? Do you know? • What do you think are the key qualities that makes a pioneer? • Any questions

What are we trying to do in these new waters?

Building team Building community Exploring Jesus together Listening, praying Christ. Becoming like together & loving through worship in the Kingdom Underpinned by prayer, on going listening and relationship to the wider church

Able to pray, listen and discern ‘ if Christian mission is about, “seeing what God is doing and joining in”…. then discernment & the cultivating of an environment which enables discernment are the leadership capacities most needed at this time. ’ Graham Cray, The Discerning Leader Grove Book 2010

Able to love and serve

Networker and draw people together

Stickyness

Missionary ‘do the work of an evangelist. ’ • envision • encourage • equip • example

Ecclesial former How do we communally express what is happening to us as we meet Jesus? re infect the world with worship

• Reorientating- looking out • Reconnecting- walls down • Recreating-sending out

Questions for discussion? • What does re-orientation mean for you? • Reconnection? • Recreating? • Any questions

What are the key characteristics of missional leaders?

People who are first

People who are on the edge

People who are moving out

People who know when to stay or go ‘The final missionary step as regards the people, and the most important lesson we will ever teach them -is to leave them. ’

People who know when to bring order or chaos

Sigmoid curve

People who take risks

People who are sure of where they are and who they are.

Disturb us Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore. Sir Francis Drake

Questions for discussion? • Which of these characteristics do you identify with? • Any questions

The icebergs

The danger of expectations

The problem of measurement

Be aware of the default position

It’s a marathon not a sprint

Losing the focus

Lack of support & accountability

You cannot be universally liked all the time

• I must be successful in everything I do • Everyone must accept me • Everyone must love me • If I make a mistake I am a failure • If I disagree they won’t like me • My value depends on how others see me Sara Savage, The Human Face of Church

Questions for discussion? • Which of these icebergs do you identify with? • Any questions