Four steps of faith for missional leadership

One of the great needs of the world today is for leaders who will live for the good of others. Traditionally, this has been called servant leadership. But in our increasingly fragmented society leaders have to be sent, they have to go "missionally" to where the needs are and live for the benefit of others.

One of my passions is to raise up missional leaders. Our work at Georgia Tech has been an ideal field for this effort. By God's grace we have seen students transformed into men and women who go and make a difference. We have seen students become transformational leaders in families, businesses, missions, churches, higher education, and media industries. We are constantly looking for how we can better reach the unreached and how we can train them to reach and train others. A big part of the process is teaching them what scripture says about being missional leaders.

Here are the notes and questions from a seminar that I presented to a group of student and staff leaders at Georgia Tech.  Feel free to use them and adapt them to your situation. Let me know your ideas and experiences related to missional leadership.

Four steps of faith for missional leaders

A seminar with table discussion by Trent McEntyre

I.                    Aim for our destiny - which is to multiply missional leaders for the kingdom of God (Chrit-centered laborers)

Read John 13:1-17

Carefully read and consider John 13:13-14 (This is the the last supper Jesus would have with his disciples. They are in an upstairs room. This is a very important last session with his disciples before the Crucifixion and resurrection.)

Discuss the following questions:

1.       What are some of the important characteristics leadership that you see in this passage?

2.       How do you think those should play out in what someone in your position does?

Read John 17:15-23 (This passage takes place later the same night as last supper. It is  Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.)

Discuss the following:

1.       What are some traits of a missional leader that Jesus talks about in this passage?

2.       Summarize, what are we aiming to be for Christ?

II.                  Confess our dilemma

What keeps us from living as servants (or the other characteristics you discussed about Christ-centered laborers)?

What do you think prevents us from living missionally?

(For discussion leader: Hopefully they will see that our ultimate problem is a heart issue; unbelief in Christ and the gospel, self reliance, fear, idolatry… - If they suggest things that are secondary or surface issues like, “We are too busy” then try to follow up saying something like, “I agree, but why we tend to allow ourselves to be too busy?)

To summarize, what is the heart of our dilemma if we are to be missional leaders?

III.                Trust our deliverance

Read John 7:37-39

What hope can find we find in Jesus’ words to overcome our dilemma?

Jesus invites the thirsty to come to him and drink. (Continual acknowledgement of our need)

Jesus commands us to believe. (Continual walk by faith, trust in who Christ is and promises to be

)To summarize, what is the only thing we can do to become missional leaders?

IV.                Leave a  legacy

What do” streams of living water” bring to mind in our lives and leadership?

Why do you think love is the great legacy we could leave?

(I Corinthians 13: 1-3, 13)

What do you need this summer in order to come back in the Fall growing as servant and missional leader? Let’s ask God for this in prayer together.