Faith Venture

Yesterday I wrote about making a disciple. While thinking about that, I thought how we need to be a disciple before we can make one. But that is not easy.

Reading in the book of Acts and some of Paul’s letters, we see that there were early preachers who went out to preach Jesus, but evidently they weren’t really disciples before they started. Perhaps the message in those stories is that we need to be self-aware of our motives as we embark on discipleship. Perhaps some were more interested in being a preacher–the center of attention–than in making disciples.

We must be learners. If the disciple-maker is a teacher, then we must be learners. It becomes very important in our lives to follow the right teacher. I know a man who has built a successful business based on the teachings of his marketing professor from college. He is a disciple.

I am building a business based on the example of a couple of people I respect. When it comes to how I live my life, I choose to learn from Jesus. Seems like the best example I can find. So I not only look for an example, I actively do what they teach. Maybe not perfectly, but I work on it. Practicing leads  to discipleship.

So, we learn and we practice. And we do that until we suddenly realize we’ve been telling others about what we’ve learned, how we’ve practiced, and how that has affected our lives.

We’ve grown from disciples only to disciples and disciple-makers.

Partly because I’m thinking about how to re-invigorate the missions ministry at my church and partly because I’m thinking about starting a new business and helping some existing businesses, I’ve been meditating on what we call The Great Commission. This was Jesus’ last instruction to his followers, “Go into all the world and make disciples….”

He used action verbs–go and make. The assumption was that he was talking to people who were themselves disciples. Jesus left no easy way out. He didn’t talk about “believing in my heart” and then doing nothing to change the world. He said to go and to make.

I have been thinking about a few characteristics that are applicable to our life as followers of Jesus and to our life in the marketplace, as well.

• Intentional–we are not to leave this to fate or chance. We choose people and/or ask God to bring them into our life. We also don’t sit around waiting. We take the initiative.
• Teaching–when we bring people into our life and organization, we teach them. The first characteristic of disciples is that they have a desire to learn more about the teaching and vision of the leader.
• Provide Experiences with Feedback–when we have taught them the basics, we put them into situations where they can practice (Jesus was all about action verbs, remember). Then, we can guide their growth by providing feedback about practical ways to grow and do better.
• Provide a Growth Path–teach the practices that will help them grow as mature disciples who can then go and make other disciples.
• Turn them loose to start the process all over again–Let them go. Jack Welch, when he was CEO of GE, was asked about the management development program that actually did this practice so well that the company had an abundance of good leaders. Aren’t you afraid of losing some to other organizations? No, we keep the ones best for us and let the others go lead in other places. There comes a time when the mother bird kicks the baby out of the nest and they must fly. So, with our disciples.

During my reading recently the phrase, “What should a leader do?”, sparked my imagination. What a great question. Especially for someone like me who is starting a couple of new initiatives in my life.

I thought that I would begin by looking at Jesus. He started a mission that toppled the Roman Empire–something that no one at his time would have ever contemplated.

Here are some characteristics. He definitely had a deep background in studying the Scriptures and other writing. He also thought deeply and originally about what he read. He spent time in prayer and meditation to get God’s leadership both for his study and his activities.

He definitely engaged in people development. He gathered many people, then chose his future leaders. He provided teaching about what is important. Then, he provided training so that they know how to act in a variety of situations. He provided opportunities to do the work. Then he provided feedback (assessment, mentoring) for improvement.

He spent time in personal development by reading/studying, listening, and prayer.

What should we do as leaders (of whatever we lead–especially ourselves)?

• Learn
• Seek guidance
• Think
• Develop qualities in others
• Provide others (and ourselves) opportunities to develop skills
• Assess performance and provide feedback designed to help growth and development

Can someone lead without passion for what they are doing?

Managers can, and do, manage without passion. Everything becomes a number. There is no real feel for the product. Or the outcome. Or the people. Or customers.

I worked for a company where everyone was proud of the product. It was the best in the industry i our eyes. We all were committed to making it perfect. We thought about the customer. How they would use the product. This was everyone–executive, assembler, accountant.

Then the influx of MBAs and Consultants began. Manage by the numbers. Customers are just a number on the spreadsheet. Products are just a number on the spreadsheet.

Passion drifted away. With the caring people.

I’ve seen it in business. I’ve seen it in church.

Wrong focus. No passion for what you’re doing for people. Just numbers.

If you’re picking leaders, don’t persuade someone to take on a task. Ask, “What do you want to do?” Find places for people where they can contribute according to their passion. Help them develop and grow as a leader.

First, you’ve got to care. You must think of the people you’re serving. You must believe that you’re making life better for them.

Follow your passion. Sometimes it takes a period of time. It took me years to find my niche. But the time in preparation was not wasted. It just prepared me.

• Find what you care about.
• Pray intentionally to bring people into your life that will help you.
• Feed your passion by connecting to God and the people you wish to serve
• Find people with similar passions so that you can all mutually feed the fire.
• Tell everyone about what it is that lights your torch.
• Go out and do.

Have you ever had that overwhelming feeling that you are not ready? That your preparations are not adequate

I did not set out in January with the plan to travel every week in April. Things just happened. It was all good. But just busy. There was no normal routine. No daily morning run and Yoga strengthening and flexibility.

Now, here we are. In seven hours I am giving a presentation. I’ve thought about it for months. Revised the slides three times. Written and outlined the talk. But I don’t feel ready. Was my preparation adequate? I should have rehearsed more.

In three days I am participating in the only 5K run that I do every year. I’d rather be chasing soccer players than just running. But that’s just an excuse. I know I didn’t prepare. My time will be ugly.

The same is true in all leadership. You need to make your preparations before you meet the team. Or go to that meeting. Or lead that class.

Sometimes you have made adequate preparation and are just nervous. That is good. You need a little nervous energy to perform well.

Sometimes you have just failed to prepare. Then you live with the consequences.