I had a conversation a while ago with an officer from a philanthropic foundation. He had just declared that their immediate giving priority was going to concentrate on leadership development for the church. I actually think this is a very good idea. But when this man, whom I respect very much, told me that this priority would be practically applied through existing seminary efforts I was dismayed. My question is, "What kind of leadership is needed for a church that needs to become more faithful to her missional calling? And what kind of leadership will emerge from church and seminary trained Christians who haven't engaged effectively in evangelism?"
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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I've always liked the apprentice model and have yet to see it used in ministry - save maybe in monastic settings. Maybe a hybrid of professional/apprentice and teacher/disciple model would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd that we can stow somebody away in an institution for 4-8 years and then expect them to come out the other end an effective leader. Internships are great but they are barely enough to open a person's eyes. Walking beside, modeling and learning from effective leaders for an extended time would be a privilege of any small group of young and hopeful ministers.
Let's hope this philanthropist focuses on seminaries that are focusing on missional work. Biblical Seminary comes to mind. Others are making the difficult transition away from cognitive based ministry to a more missional essence. Maybe you can lean into this philanthropist and direct his giving to these missional-leaning seminaries.
ReplyDeleteWe've been approaching that very issues for a while in NieuCommunities. Some of the shifts we're making in South Africa are already seeing strong results (missional apprenticeship around holistic formation in Communion, Community and Missional Context). Our problem is, we're not accredited ;)... but we're seeing fruit without it...
ReplyDeleteJoe Reed
Wow, that's a great question.
ReplyDeleteIt seems the leadership would have to come with a "thinking outside the box" way of looking at things. Organizationally, you always find that someone new to an organization (whether it's a church or business) always notices things about that organization that someone who's been in it much longer does not realize. Usually these things are poor systems put in place, poor moral.... etc.
For those of us who've been part of the evangelical church for so long have been patterned to think about our missional calling the same way the Church has doing it for the past 100 years. Usually it's the same car engine and chassis, just a different more updated body. Still runs the same way though.
I feel like the leadership we need is someone who is willing to step outside of what they know, what they are comfortable with, step out in faith and try something new. Learn how to study the culture around us, and engage it well.
Just some thoughts.
-A
Wow. Great contributions, HU alums! Just reading your thoughts encourages me.
ReplyDeleteAnd Adam, you have tossed down a sleep-wrecker for me. I wonder what contribution I can make to the preferred future we are dreaming of for the Church. Is it strictly personal? Non-formal leadership through writing, etc.? Current formal role via YFC? New formal role TBD?
gulp