a l i v e & a w a k e

 

Looking to be cultivators of people, means a ever renewable fresh look at how we lead. I am playing with three sections in my mind -plowing, planting, and producing. I will first start with the plow, because nothing good will grow without preparing the ground inwhich we want to plant something that lasts.  

Leadership has been on my mind for the last couple of years. I have felt that a lot of the Christian information on leadership seems to focus on the position we have in Christ (being). This is great because if we fool ourselves into thinking we have the abilities a part from our true identity in Christ, we are presenting a second rate leadership.

Knowing we are leaders in Christ is not enough if we are to be cultivators of others, action is required.

The next load of information on leadership shelves is the actions of a leader (Doing) and how to manage people in 7-31 great steps. This is also good, a lot of reading, but good. I have found myself still not satisfied with this list of ‘to do’s’ partly because the strategy and the skill set to have a leadership perspective is really what I find need.  A Strategy skill set (becoming) answers more through questions and cultivating thinking. At first this could seem lacking in help but my journey this far has brought me to really appreciate training that creates a place of growth rather than a place for answers.

By no means do I find myself an expert and a guru, but I have been collecting some great thoughts and questions from some great strategists. I hope to teach this and learn from this as I teach this to those who I am a steward of this. I also would be open to tons of feedback on these concepts. Here is the first I am massaging. Note: the format is not in ‘easy reading’ mode, but the content is there.

-A credible authentic relationship builder in any and every community or group structure which the leader seeks to ‘be’ where people are.

            1. ‘Be’ is defined as a committed consistent presence

2. A cultivator of communities safely engages and becomes a part of any group by being ‘touchable’.

3. Has character that has favour with others.

4. Is intentional to see people beyond busyness and tasks.

Practically Individually

To begin building people up individually you will need to model availability and ‘be-ing’ in their lives in a safe way that earns credibility. They in turn can build relationship by spending significant time with people to earn credibility.

To cultivate a lifestyle of building relationships, you can ask;

What does the amount of room we make for people in daily life reveal about our priorities?

How many people do they know on your street and in your normal spheres of influence?

Where do they hang out, spend time, live? Make a regular pattern to meet and ‘be’ there.

What would it take for you to free up 3 hrs a week to make yourself available to people?

What creative ways do you bring to cultivate good relational connection beyond the superficial? (creative dialogue, engaging stories,)

Do you allow yourself to be vulnerable?

Group-Home Church

It is a little easier to build in Home Church because people are coming to you.

How do we build strong relationships in the midst of community?

Our mandate is to have an atmosphere that allows people to belong and be known. Asking good questions is key (be intentional to find out a person or group –vision,-gifts,-history,-current life stage,-priorities,-passions,-goals,-challenges,-social interactions,-prayer,-working together-spiritual companionship) How many are known this way?

 How many are in spiritual companionship relationships?

 How many opportunities do you let people be known in? (in a week, month, year)  This is social activities, community development events, coffee’s, meals, trips, etc.

Are you as the cultivator allowing yourself to be vulnerable?

During such activities and even normal week to week interactions we need to communicate the sense of emerging vision that we have seen in our teams.  Building unity through the vision of the irreligious message is crucial to see any development of our home churches.

How do we communicate the importance of a welcoming, safe and communal atmosphere.

Do we allow for the group to understand each other? (do we know each other?)

 Find a common script that you can frequently communicate environments that allow ownership of relationship building.

TEAM BUILDING

As you get to know people in your group, who are people who display or live an irreligious life (seeking, missional, generous, compassionate community member, leadership and duplicating [cultivators])?

When team building, it is good to have others around you who are getting to know the same person you see displaying possibilities of leadership. It is important you all understand what you are looking for (the DNA) and can ask questions of the person that can deliberately find out these attributes. This is pretty clear to the individual that you are looking to them and understanding their leadership potential.

The tougher skill is how to develop people to ‘be’ outside of the group.

Some safe ways to build relationships outside of the group is to serve in practical ways without an agenda to push people to Jesus. Prayers walks are helpful as you intentionally and consistently walk in parts of the neighbourhoods around you, others who are regularly out will learn that we are ‘safe’ and not imposing. Conversations can build out of safety.

Allow hobbies and natural patterns of life as a group to engage and be seen by the community (i.e. when having a social BBQ as a group have it on your front yard rather than backyard and invite neighbours.)

Ask the question regularly “How are we building credibility and a reputation to improve the city?”