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"For those on Mission to Reach the Globe"
Welcome to the monthly feature, Cross-cultural Perspectives from the Director. In 500 words or less, I will discuss relevant topics relating to the missions environment. The purpose of these articles is to influence, inform, and encourage missionaries and others toward individual development and consideration of pertinent cross-cultural issues. I trust that you find a host of beneficial missions topics on this page.
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Cross-Cultural
Perspectives -
Leadership Development
Capitalizing on the Present; Planning for the Future
Jim Collins in Good to
Great provides a five-level hierarchy of leaders. All levels are important
but I'm highlighting on his explanation of level five leaders: leaders at
the top-level in our national churches. Leaders at this echelon still uphold
a "workmanlike diligence" and are more "plow horse than show
horse." Having arrived on the leadership throne, top-level leadership
should never expect to be served but actively and aggressively serve others.
They are driven men and produce unrelenting results. They set up successors
for even greater accomplishment in the next generation. They always capitalize
on the present and plan for the future.
I was recently reminded of the towering magnitude and potential of leadership
development when I traveled to Guam and the Philippines to be part of Leadership
Development International seminars. These were under the excellent coordination
of Missionaries David and Kathy Brott. I am fully persuaded that one of the
lasting investments of the Foreign Missions Division is the teaching ministry.
When there are no longer missionaries on location (in a given area) their
teachings live on. All instruction is important, but these two seminars were
held with top-level leadership.
In the Philippines there were over one hundred and fifty high level leaders
that came from all over the islands to receive five hours of teaching daily
for three days. What an awesome privilege to teach men that supervise many
hundreds of churches. It was a truly rewarding investment. The lasting effect
of leadership training will be felt for many, many years.
I would strongly suggest that each field adopt a systematic way of developing
its top-level leaders (and leaders on every level). Each region has a LDI
representative or coordinator. They are there to assist you. Take advantage
of their expertise. Some nations have an annual leadership seminar for their
highest leadership. Others join together with nearby countries. Some may have
a leadership development lesson at each national board meeting. Something
should be done. Something must be done. The times demand it. To facilitate
the revival that God is and will be sending to the United Pentecostal Church
International we must have leaders in place and prepared. Jim Collins said,
"Great vision without great people is irrelevant." How do you get
great people? Train them!
Leadership development resources abound. However, let me list two recently
made available by the Global Association of Theological Studies. These can
be downloaded freely and may be a blessing to you.
Growing Leaders, Jim Poitras http://gatsonline.org/accessible/Growing%20Leaders%20First%20Edition.pdf
Life Lessons for Leaders, Ted Grosbach
http://gatsonline.org/accessible/Life%20Lessons%20for%20Leaders%20WebVersion.pdf
I also provide on a quarterly basis the Global Connection. This is distinctly
a teaching tool and is meant to be translated and distributed to all national
ministers. Thank you for those that faithfully take care of this. If you are
not making this fundamental resource available to your leaders, I would request
that you do so. Together, we are capitalizing on the present and planning
for the future. One closing thought: your leadership greatness is determined
by those around you. What are you doing to move from good to great or from
great to greater?
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