Well – I have posted for you a long, but hopefully interesting, leadership model. This model is really a synthesis of what I believe are many great ideas and practices. Now lets critique the model. I would love to hear where this may be helpful, confusing, or downright ugly. Let me know what you think!
What determines whether a leader, his/her impact or an organizations growth is exponential? Is it the depth of significant change induced by the leader or experienced by the organization or is it a number so large it has to be expressed with an exponent?
Was Jesus the ultimate 3-D leader?
Good questions!
Jesus was the ultimate because he invested primarily in 12 men and now we have the church. This is the multiplication effect. God is a God of multiplication, not addition. Exponential growth occurs for the kingdom when we make disciples, there is no such thing as a true disciple who does not reproduce himself. Thus, exponential growth is crucial to true discipleship.
So I do not think we need to say depth vs. numbers or vice versa. We should always be striving to be more like Christ and to bring more to Christ. The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few!
Now – pragmatism is not a part of this model. A true thinker/teacher is completely committed to Scripture as his guide.
Would Jesus have been considered an exponential leader while walking in our neighborhood or is his success as an exponential leader known only now? Could it be said that an exponential leader may not be known for his exponential leadership until he’s pushin up daisies?
I guess what I’m asking is, is there a qualitative and/or quantative measurement of exponential leadership that is immediate, or is success determined post mortem?
I think in our cultural climate today that exponential leadership could be quantified. For instance…I am working the development phase with a group of five guys. This is something I do on an ongoing basis. My prayer is to see these guys begin to develop other guys in the future. This is also the beginning of a cutlure change. Discipline is also being instilled as the fluid process takes shape. I hope to multiplication of leadership in the near future.
The concept is kind of like investing for retirement. You invest small amounts on a consistent basis and the balance grows – its the power of compounding interest. Exponential leaders dont try to eat the elephant all at once…they take small consistent bites and look for long-term returns. I think the results can be seen in this life.
Another example is pastoral tenure. The facts are conclusive that pastors who invest their lives in one place over a long period of time have a greater return on their investment. Does this make sense…lets continue the discussion
I understand and agree with what you’ve said.
If, let’s say, you disciple these 5 intensely for a minimum of a three year period, the number becomes 30 the next year, 150 the following year, 750 the following year, 3750 the next, 18750 the next and so on. That’s 18750 in an 18 year period (Let me reiterate, I understand the non-linear, fluid idea you’re espousing). That number increases to 3,234,816 if you disciple 12 but drops to 972 if you disciple 3 and 64 if you disciple 1. The 18,750 and 3.2 million are truly exponential and either would be the linchpin in your election as SBC President in 2025. Your goal I’m sure. Ha.
But now, let’s be realistic. This is not happening, anywhere. What factors do you believe contribute to the lack of multiplication? What factors must be considered in regards to the disciplee?
We are in a fallen world and the church is made up of fallen people and fallen pastors. But, should our goal not be to multiply disciples and spiritual leaders. This is precisely why most churches will never suceed w/an elder model…because that model requries leadership development.
The whole point of the model is simple: Influence, Impact, and Insight are the desired results of our leaderhip. This may be a modern way to flesh out the shepherding model we are given in scripture. Jesus was counter-cultural. He was hated for his paradigm destroying statements and methodologies…i.e. How dare he heal someone on the sabbath. He was a cultural architect. Jesus was people focused. He built relationships and invested in people. The 12 were only the closest of about 500 followers who traveled with and followed Jesus’ ministry very closely. Jesus had an Impact on those he influenced. And of course, he gave his followers great insight. He is the Word. He used parables to make his followers think. He made statments to those who were searching for truth that blew them away..”sell all you have and give the proceeds to the poor…”
In other words…the multiplication tables didn’t even play out in perfect fashion with Jesus…but the exponentiality of his leadership is evident nonetheless.
Good discussion…we still need to grab a Kennedy’s somethime.
It has been interesting to read your comments about leadership in the church. Leadership is only as good as the form of communication. Is the communication done with the mind set to push a vision totally pastor driven or is it gather by the expression of the whole church? I have seen pastors who have communicated only enough to work around the church’s input and forced the people to feel ,that though they are the “Shepherd” of the flock, if they don’t follow their direction totally that they are in other words not follow God’s will for the church.
I see Jesus’ ministry in a two fold work of leadership. One is that Jesus made it clear of His mission to His followers and second is that he follow through with it. So often leaders have great mission statements but they never follow through with it. If it be a Building Program, ministry leadership additions or subtractions, staff changes, and etc. The list could be a mile long.
Are leaders making a personal impact in the churches today? What type of impacts are pastors seeing in the church? How can you be an effective leader when the church as the whole doesn’t want to be lead? Our culture is become hard to lead by just say it is true for you to a culture who says you must prove it is true. Give me your thoughts. Forgive mispelled words.
Jeff – I dont know if you had the chance to read the entire three segments on the 3D Model, but the section on the Relationship Builder is very crucial to the leadership process.
Relationships are foundational. As we know, some pastors dictate from a position not from a passion for the people that they have been entrusted with the responisbility to guide. Relational leaders build trust and inspire a shared vision.
“Leadership in this model is not about self, thus coaching people up becomes a chief priority in any organization. This overlaps with the relationship builder to some extent, but the act of coaching is more intentional then gaining the hearts of the people. It is here that one is disciplined enough to reproduce himself in others.”
This quote from the Discipline Phase Article articulates an answer to Jeff’s concerns.