The Qualities of a Networking Leader
5 MILLION NEW CHURCHES – 1 BILLION SOULS
Those who are not networking will be not working!
Dear Visionary Leader,
In the future, those who are not networking will eventually be not working! Billion Soul leaders have repeated this statement across the world. Philip Jenkins, the author of The New Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity, along with J. Hudson Taylor IV, whose great-grandfather was the first to take Christianity to China, recently said, “We are witnessing the greatest missional shift since the Protestant Reformation.”
This global shift is from “the West going to the nations” to “everyone going everywhere.” By 2030, more than 70% of missionaries worldwide will be from countries outside of North America.
As this massive global shift unfolds, an unprecedented rise of synergistic networks has sped up the rate for fulfilling the Great Commission. We are witnessing firsthand key Christian leaders partnering together in dynamic ways that, just fifteen years ago, was unheard of in the West. The overarching command of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission combined with exponential population growth have compelled us to become bridge-builders instead of fence-builders.
The Networking Leader knows how to:
- Move from competitor to collaborator. In prior years, some leaders were more interested in “net worth” rather than “network.” It is not about “Us vs. Them” or “Them vs. Us.” If we are not careful, we can spend our time and spin our wheels trying to take over someone else’s ministry or do someone else’s part or get to the front of the line, while the person who loses is the one who has never heard the Gospel.
- Move from criticizer to complimenter. You can always spot the losers in life because they spend all their time trying to make others look bad in order to make themselves look good. Instead of spending time criticizing, let’s learn to compliment one other.
- Move from complainer to connector. You will never find a network of complainers. Complainers live in a small world. Negative, small-minded leaders repel great leaders while positive, huge-spirited leaders compel people to work and serve together.
- Move from centeredness to the center. Networks are built from the center out, not from top-down leadership. The networking leader understands that the theological middle moves and that leaders change in the process of time.
Meditate on these four qualities of a networking leader during this year-end, and find ways to add them to your life and ministry next year. You will witness quickly how your ministry will begin to move from addition to multiplication and that more souls will come to Christ as a result.
Network News
LIONS ROAR MEN’S CONFERENCE THIS WEEK IN MANILA
David Sobrepena calls it a “Thrilla In Manila” as this week a dozen strong leaders from many nations converge on Manila to bring men’s ministry to his nation. The “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, plus Pastor Eddy Leo who for seven years has criss-crossed the globe teaching men, plus Bishop Dale Bronner, Chairman of the Board of Christian Men’s Network join Paul Louis Cole son of the late Edwin Louis Cole, the “father of the men’s movement” with a team rounded out with pastors, lay men’s leaders, and business leaders. To start the new year with men’s ministry where you are, click here or call 817-437-4888. To see the team in Manila, click here: www.WordOfHope.ph.
SYNERGIZE 2! PASTORS CONFERENCE
At the Synergize 2! Pastors Conference, each pastor will receive more than 1,000 ministry resources. These powerful resources will be provided to each pastor on the last day of the Pastors Conference. Space is now very limited! Register today!
BILLY JOE DAUGHERTY
A crowd of 8,000 people joined the service for Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty on November 30, 2009. In 27 years of ministry, his leadership built one of the strongest churches in the world with more than 20,000 people each weekend, plus a global network of Bible schools and church plants. On Billion.tv, you may find ten powerful messages that Pastor Daugherty provided to help equip the emerging generation. Simply log on to Billion.tv today and be trained by some of the finest Christian leaders in the world.
Pastoral Coaching
David Sobrepena When we become a networking leader, our life’s path becomes wider and our effectiveness even higher. Let me illustrate with the following real life Billion Soul Initiative story: A team of 50 church planters from Uganda went to Nairobi, Kenya, September 2008, to get knowledge and inspiration on both Evangelism and Church planting. They picked up what they called the “Best method and models for multiplication” from other movements revealed in that Summit.
Back in Uganda, Alex Mitala selected the “Mayuge District” to perform a “Case Study for Church Planting and Multiplication.” Together with more than 200 evangelical pastors, they kicked off an initiative in February 2009, that has so far resulted in more than 1200 tangible local churches with a minimum of 25 adult members in each.
Gathering from what Rev. David Sobrepena shared at the Kenya Summit, Ugandan church leaders effected the following changes:
- Re-packing the Gospel message with reality and focus.
- Disciplining and encouraging local believers to fully participate in what their Savior wanted them to do.
- Raise and train church workers locally in their churches, empower them and encourage them to implement what they know and allow God the Church owner to continue with them with hands-on training.
These church plants are all the result of key networking leaders coming together to bring gospel transformation as soon as possible. Why settle for one plus one equaling two when you could partner with someone and make one-plus-one equal more than 1,200 in ten short months? Blessings.
Until The Last Person Has Heard,
James O. Davis
COCHAIR/Global Networking
COFOUNDER/Billion Soul
