Comments on: The Seven Indispensable Virtues of a Missional Leader http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:46:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Reclaiming the Mission » My 5 years of Blogging: 10 Highlights http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-68801 Reclaiming the Mission » My 5 years of Blogging: 10 Highlights Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:19:11 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-68801 [...] shaped in community by God for the world. I reject the many who suggest this means no leadership. This kind of leader however looks different than what we have become so accustomed to in the technique driven world of modern business. Looking [...] [...] shaped in community by God for the world. I reject the many who suggest this means no leadership. This kind of leader however looks different than what we have become so accustomed to in the technique driven world of modern business. Looking [...]

]]> By: Kevin Bobrow http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-16432 Kevin Bobrow Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:20:39 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-16432 I love what you've said in #3 regarding presence. Humility also strikes a chord with me. First, regarding presence you mention no need to be recognized and a gentle spirit when being criticized. I feel like these are directly related to what you mention under humility regarding authority. It all goes together, and I think you are right on the money. We need leaders today who represent Christ not only in word and not only in deed, but in manner. We need people to be shocked when they come in contact with Christians not at how amazing their logic is or how smooth they are or how impressive they are, but at how humble they are. We ought to strive for gentleness and humility and the ability to take criticism with grace much more than we strive to become great speakers or leaders. I believe these sorts of qualities are what amazed people about Jesus, much more than any great talents he showed off (like raising people from the dead, which surely did amaze some people). Only when we as Christians, and especially when we as Christian leaders, are characterized by such "presence" and humility will others grant the authority you speak of. However, such authority should never be the end, but only the means by which to draw folks into Christ's community. I love what you’ve said in #3 regarding presence. Humility also strikes a chord with me. First, regarding presence you mention no need to be recognized and a gentle spirit when being criticized. I feel like these are directly related to what you mention under humility regarding authority. It all goes together, and I think you are right on the money. We need leaders today who represent Christ not only in word and not only in deed, but in manner. We need people to be shocked when they come in contact with Christians not at how amazing their logic is or how smooth they are or how impressive they are, but at how humble they are. We ought to strive for gentleness and humility and the ability to take criticism with grace much more than we strive to become great speakers or leaders. I believe these sorts of qualities are what amazed people about Jesus, much more than any great talents he showed off (like raising people from the dead, which surely did amaze some people). Only when we as Christians, and especially when we as Christian leaders, are characterized by such “presence” and humility will others grant the authority you speak of. However, such authority should never be the end, but only the means by which to draw folks into Christ’s community.

]]> By: Reclaiming the Mission » Top Ten Posts 2009: Merry Christmas and a Look Back at This Blog http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-16297 Reclaiming the Mission » Top Ten Posts 2009: Merry Christmas and a Look Back at This Blog Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:50:23 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-16297 [...] The Seven Indispensible Virtues Of a Missional Leader: This post was well received even though it only got 13 or so [...] [...] The Seven Indispensible Virtues Of a Missional Leader: This post was well received even though it only got 13 or so [...]

]]> By: Random links worth perusing — J.R. Briggs http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9362 Random links worth perusing — J.R. Briggs Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:49:21 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9362 [...] Fitch shares his thoughts on the Seven Indispensable Virtues of a Missional Leader. Thorough and well [...] [...] Fitch shares his thoughts on the Seven Indispensable Virtues of a Missional Leader. Thorough and well [...]

]]> By: Matt http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9280 Matt Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:12:50 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9280 SO helpful, Dave. I'm wondering if you could elaborate on this comment: "leading missional communities requires something more, something different (although some of the entrepreneurial skills will no doubt be needed in the group)." Are these virtues additional requirements, or "changing the scorecard" (to borrow Reggie McNeal's phrase) of pastoral leadership? I'm assuming the skills and competencies a pastor-leader needs will depend on the organizational form the church takes. Would you say that church forms that require competencies substantially above those listed here have failed to be missional? I suspect that there is a continuum the farther along which one goes in the direction of additional competencies, the less missional that church can become, by simple virtue of the fact that the farther in that direction we go, the more rare those leaders are. P.S. Amen to JR's additions (although they are particular to pastors and not simply "leaders"). SO helpful, Dave. I’m wondering if you could elaborate on this comment: “leading missional communities requires something more, something different (although some of the entrepreneurial skills will no doubt be needed in the group).” Are these virtues additional requirements, or “changing the scorecard” (to borrow Reggie McNeal’s phrase) of pastoral leadership? I’m assuming the skills and competencies a pastor-leader needs will depend on the organizational form the church takes. Would you say that church forms that require competencies substantially above those listed here have failed to be missional? I suspect that there is a continuum the farther along which one goes in the direction of additional competencies, the less missional that church can become, by simple virtue of the fact that the farther in that direction we go, the more rare those leaders are.

P.S. Amen to JR’s additions (although they are particular to pastors and not simply “leaders”).

]]> By: Lee Wyatt http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9261 Lee Wyatt Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:24:05 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9261 I have come to believe, based on the model of Ezra and Nehemiah, that church plants should begin with two leaders, a Scribe (Ezra) and a Builder (Nehemiah). I think this not only enables the ministry since, in my experience at least, both skill sets are seldom found in the same person. Further, such a team models the community, accountability, and support that needs to become a part of the DNA of the church. I also believe that a presupposition for all leadership (so well articulated in our post) is "laddership" (from John 1:51). There Jesus tells Nathanael that he will "see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Leaders must first come to see and experience Jesus as the intersection of heaven and earth, the giver, and indeed, life itself! In other words, the first task of leadership is followership! And only to the degree that leaders are able to help their people see and experience Jesus in this way, are they truly leading. "Laddership" is the non-negotiable, participatory, experiential reality from and to which leadership flows and gains its efficacy. God bless! Peace, Lee Wyatt I have come to believe, based on the model of Ezra and Nehemiah, that church plants should begin with two leaders, a Scribe (Ezra) and a Builder (Nehemiah). I think this not only enables the ministry since, in my experience at least, both skill sets are seldom found in the same person. Further, such a team models the community, accountability, and support that needs to become a part of the DNA of the church.

I also believe that a presupposition for all leadership (so well articulated in our post) is “laddership” (from John 1:51). There Jesus tells Nathanael that he will “see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Leaders must first come to see and experience Jesus as the intersection of heaven and earth, the giver, and indeed, life itself! In other words, the first task of leadership is followership! And only to the degree that leaders are able to help their people see and experience Jesus in this way, are they truly leading. “Laddership” is the non-negotiable, participatory, experiential reality from and to which leadership flows and gains its efficacy. God bless!

Peace,
Lee Wyatt

]]> By: David Fitch http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9098 David Fitch Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:10:16 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9098 Thanks JR ... good stuff. Thanks JR … good stuff.

]]> By: Jr http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9096 Jr Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:52:42 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9096 Good lessons. A couple additions (A and B) along with a pitfall (C): A) 1 Tim 4:16 "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." Keep watch on yourself. (though you touched on this) i.e. "train yourself for godliness" and "set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." B) 2 Tim 1:8-14; in short, "do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord," "share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God," and "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from [Paul], in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." This requires leaders to have theological steel in their spines; not to waver from the Truth of Jesus and the Word of God. Unapologetic boldness in proclamation of the message of Jesus the Messiah and the Gospel. Jesus, the One and Only Savior who brings people into relationship with the One and Only Father God. No other text, message, technique, or person can do this. Keep the Gospel the center. Always bring it back to Jesus. C) Leaders: Get rid of idols; especially the fear and exultation of man. The message we proclaim is not a popular message. The world killed Our King; let us not fool ourselves into thinking we will be welcomed in our (or other) culture(s) any differently. The message is foolish and controversial just by reading the text plainly. This coincides with B above. Not all contextualization is bad; but over-realized contextualization will erode the lesson of B. Always remember who and what our authority is in the end. It is not man and it is not culture. The First Commandment is no accident in being first. May grace flow - Jr Good lessons. A couple additions (A and B) along with a pitfall (C):

A) 1 Tim 4:16 “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Keep watch on yourself. (though you touched on this) i.e. “train yourself for godliness” and “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

B) 2 Tim 1:8-14; in short, “do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord,” “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” and “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from [Paul], in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

This requires leaders to have theological steel in their spines; not to waver from the Truth of Jesus and the Word of God. Unapologetic boldness in proclamation of the message of Jesus the Messiah and the Gospel. Jesus, the One and Only Savior who brings people into relationship with the One and Only Father God. No other text, message, technique, or person can do this.

Keep the Gospel the center. Always bring it back to Jesus.

C) Leaders: Get rid of idols; especially the fear and exultation of man. The message we proclaim is not a popular message. The world killed Our King; let us not fool ourselves into thinking we will be welcomed in our (or other) culture(s) any differently. The message is foolish and controversial just by reading the text plainly. This coincides with B above. Not all contextualization is bad; but over-realized contextualization will erode the lesson of B. Always remember who and what our authority is in the end. It is not man and it is not culture. The First Commandment is no accident in being first.

May grace flow –
Jr

]]> By: Weekend Linkage #2 « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9031 Weekend Linkage #2 « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:18:37 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9031 [...] -Back from his vacation from the land of milk & honey (wink), David Fitch returns to blogging with an excellent post called “The Seven Indispensable Virtues of a Missional Leader”. [...] [...] -Back from his vacation from the land of milk & honey (wink), David Fitch returns to blogging with an excellent post called “The Seven Indispensable Virtues of a Missional Leader”. [...]

]]> By: davidfitch http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-seven-indispensable-virtues-of-a-missional-leader/comment-page-1/#comment-9020 davidfitch Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:59:26 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/?p=594#comment-9020 Regis, Thanks for the encouragement. Geoff, that's a suggestion to take this conversation further. I'll try to do it tomorrow at our leadership think tank meeting tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for chiming in with the helpful stuff. Regis,
Thanks for the encouragement. Geoff, that’s a suggestion to take this conversation further. I’ll try to do it tomorrow at our leadership think tank meeting tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone for chiming in with the helpful stuff.

]]>