By Al Engler, Senior Vice President of Field Ministries and Field Director
In the classic book The Lost Art of Disciple Making, Leroy Eims asks, “Are there those who have the gifts, abilities, and calling of God to become leaders of a disciple making ministry? Those who could do what you are doing? If so, they will need special leadership training to do the job.” He goes on to make the important point that such people are not normally “gift income” Christian workers, pastors, or ministry professionals. They are simply gifted and called to lead others to engage in the Great Commission.
What do such people need to flourish in God’s calling on their lives? What is the nature of the leadership training that Leroy Eims writes about? Not long ago, I met with a few people in Detroit to wrestle with this question. God led us to think about the value we might add to their lives and ministries. We came up with five thoughts based on the word DELTA. The Delta is that which is lacking and which we could provide.
Develop
D stands for “Develop.” Local leaders need help to apply and adapt the training that they have already received. They don’t usually need a lot of new information; they simply need help to think about what is next. Comprehensive formal training will often do more harm than good. It reinforces the devastating myth that they are not up to the task and need to wait before engaging in what God is calling them to. Instead, we should aim for “Just in Time” training and tools, the way industry is moving with logistics.
Empower
E is for “Empower.” We want to be people who encourage, applaud, and affirm their efforts as leaders. Being a leader can sometimes be discouraging and overwhelming. When we meet with such leaders, we want to do what Jonathan did with David when he “encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God” (1 Samuel 23:16).
Link
L is for “Link.” One of the best things we can do for local leaders is to help link them with others like themselves. Recently I facilitated a Zoom call between three local leaders from different parts of the US. I introduced them to one another and stepped back to watch the sparks of energy fly as these leaders asked one another questions and told stories. Local leaders of disciple makers can feel strangely alone in their leadership. One of our goals must be to make sure that they are linked with similar people.
Team
T stands for “Team.” It is important that local leaders lead as part of a team or community of people. We can help them think through whom to invite to be part of a local team of disciple makers if they don’t have one already. Such leaders are already leading others, but have they forged them together into a local team?
Appoint
A is for “Appoint.” One of our roles as Navigator leaders is to make sure that these friends understand that they are leaders in a Gospel movement. We need to acknowledge that somehow, either officially or unofficially. When Paul sent Titus to Crete, he told him that he needed to “complete the work” (Titus 1:5). A reading of Paul’s letter to Titus indicates that he would accomplish this by appointing leaders for the local ministry.
Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that God gave some to help all become mature and engage the people and ministry God has given them. This takes us back to our DELTA which inspires and guides our efforts. We are the some… and this is what we must do, for the all.
