By Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders
and Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership
The story that Gary Shockley tells for his article in this edition of LINK is a wonderful example of how Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders and Equipping Vital Congregations are tied together. The leaders of the congregation in his story decided they had to live and lead in a new way in order to GROW:
G – God-focused
R – Relationships are key
O – Open to opportunities
W – Witness to the world
It’s possible that the biggest obstacle that these leaders overcame was their own perceived fear (what might happen) as they navigated to a new reality. This is often true in our local congregations today!
The Conference’s emphasis on how we GROW spiritual transformational leaders is intentional. We recognize that in order to navigate through change and the transitional elements of life today, we have to be faithful leaders who will not just be willing to do things differently, but will live as Jesus followers who are transformed by the renewing of our minds so that God can use us in new ways. (Romans 12:2)
The GROW Team and Staff are working diligently to offer ways to live into this new Conference emphasis on spiritual transformational leadership. We recognize that moving past “we’ve never done it that way before” is a reality, yet we will boldly walk before you and with you as we move through the wilderness of change.
One of the resources that we offer is an opportunity to develop pathways of discipleship for your local church. To help you get started on this work, Kevin Witt hosted a Wednesday Webinar at this link - tinyurl.com/y2gskf3h. Kim Shockley will be leading a workshop about developing Intentional Discipleship Pathways on November 16 for the Scranton Wilkes-Barre District Rally and Resource Day - http://www.swbdistrict.org.
Intentional leadership development is another way we can provide resources and encouragement. While this is often work that is specific to your congregation, there are ways that we can resource you with a coach who will help define your goals and then make sure you are doing the work to accomplish what you set out to do.
Because the GROW staff is also tied to our Camping and Retreat Ministries, we can help you with planning and implementing faith immersion experiences for all ages. As we highlighted in another article, we have two such immersion’s in the planning stages for 2020 for young people ages 12-18 at Wesley Forest.
A big part of growing spiritual transformation leaders is recognizing that God calls each one of us to be used for God’s purposes. Some of us find that calling as we move into professional ministry opportunities as Deacons, Local Pastors, Elders and Certified Lay Ministers. Others find our calling as we serve in the church and community as lay people – leading teams, building relationships between the church and its community, actively meeting the needs of people within the community, and faithfully praying for the church, its leaders, and its ministry throughout the week. It is also a calling to find a way to live as salt and light of Christ in our secular jobs. Do the people you work with know that you are a person who prays – are you willing to pray for them? Are there significant kindnesses you do for the people around you each week that are opportunities for you to tell of God’s love for each person? What stories do you tell when you meet your co-workers in the break room – do they honor and share God’s love for each person? Cory Booker says, “Leadership is not a position or title, it is action and example.” If this is true, then there are many ways that we are called to lead and influence people toward God!
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40)
If you are unsure of how God wants to use you as a spiritual transformed leader, then take the next month to pray regularly, asking God “How do you want to use me now?” Keep a journal and note things that you see or hear that may be a way to understand the answer to this prayer. God is with you!
