There is a pressing need for character-driven leadership within the global mission and church world. The detrimental impacts of abuse, narcissism, and ambition on gospel witness and mission integrity highlight this need. This report highlights insights from the collaborate team. Servant leadership is a model for counteracting character failings in ministry and fostering Christlike leaders equipped for effective discipleship. Drawing on the State of the Great Commission Report and The Seoul Statement this report underscores the urgency of forming leaders who prioritize servant-hearted integrity, collaboration, and accountability.
Servant leadership in five essential relationships is emphasised:
- with the Gospel,
- with the Holy Spirit,
- with the church,
- with fellow leaders
- with the lost
Thus, the report advocates for a commitment to the Word of God, cross-generational mentoring, and contextual awareness, with a collaborative approach as a common starting point to bridge existing character gaps. Practical recommendations include strengthening accountability measures, empowering emerging leaders, and addressing specific regional challenges, with resources such as the book produced for the congress by Leadership Development Issue Network: Leading Well in Times of Disruption. The report intends to present a summary for ongoing reflection, collaboration, and commitment to servant leadership within the global church.
Listening to the Current Reality
Key gaps identified include:
- Lack of Character Formation: There is a noticeable deficiency in systematic approaches to cultivating character among church leaders. Many existing programs focus primarily on skills and knowledge without a parallel emphasis on moral and spiritual growth.
- Accountability and Transparency: While the need for accountability measures is recognized, current methods often fall short of creating an environment where leaders feel genuinely accountable to one another and their communities. Establishing clear structures for mutual accountability remains a critical gap.
- Empowerment of Emerging Leaders: Although empowering new leaders is acknowledged as essential, there is often a lack of structured programs that guide mentorship and leadership training tailored to the needs of younger generations.
- Regional Adaptation: The church often employs a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership development, overlooking different regions’ unique cultural and situational needs. Tailored strategies are necessary for effective engagement in diverse contexts.
- Integration of Faith and Daily Life: While the importance of living out the gospel beyond Sundays is recognised, there is a gap in practical resources and support systems to help individuals and leaders consistently embody their faith in various aspects of life, including workplaces and community environments.
- Collaboration Among Churches: Although collaboration is emphasized, many church leaders and organizations struggle to develop effective partnerships due to competing interests or lack of communication. Building clear pathways for sharing resources, ideas, and strategies remains challenging..
Imagining a Preferred Reality
The data presented a vision for a Church rooted in relational, gospel-centered discipleship, developing leaders of character who impact every sphere of society. At the core is a deep belief that all things are possible with God, reflecting a commitment to mobilizing the entire body of Christ, including workplace believers and singles. There is a call for intergenerational mentoring, integration of faith into everyday life, and collaboration across churches and organizations to share resources and promote one another. Leaders are encouraged to embrace accountability, serve humbly, and confront conflict with a redemptive purpose, fostering unity and compassion within the church.
A paradigm shift is envisioned for the Church—one that moves toward the model Jesus proclaimed, emphasizing discipleship that permeates every Church level. This shift includes training leaders who not only lead with integrity, but also mobilize others to engage in Kingdom work, ensuring that the gospel has a positive impact on society. A key part of this vision is the integration of sacred and secular, ensuring that Sunday teachings translate into practical, everyday living and that faith is embodied 24/7. Collaboration and updating evangelism methods while remaining faithful to gospel principles are essential to reaching more people.
Creating a Way to Close the Gap
The Gap discussions advanced a model of leadership marked by humility and integrity. A biblical vision of leadership rooted in intentional discipleship is proposed, aligning mission goals with deep moral values and fostering leaders who embody Christ’s transformative character.
The data emphasizes the importance of collaboration, prayer, leadership development, and the fostering of integrity in all areas of mission work. Key takeaways revolve around the need for intentional actions that promote unity, mentorship, and the growth of Christ-like leaders across various sectors, from churches to workplaces. The focus is building strong relationships, learning from one another, and establishing systems supporting sustainable leadership.
Communicating a Prayerful Proposal
The summary of recommendations is as follows:
- Strengthening Accountability Measures: Establish frameworks and resources that guarantee leaders are held accountable at multiple levels, ensuring transparency and fostering trust within church communities. Regular accountability meetings and peer reviews can enhance relationships among leaders.
- Empowering Emerging Leaders: Create structured mentorship programs that pair emerging leaders with seasoned mentors, emphasizing both character development and leadership skills. These programs could include internships, leadership retreats, and spiritual and professional growth workshops.
- Addressing Regional Challenges: Conduct regional assessments to identify specific cultural and contextual needs. Tailored training programs and resources can be developed to meet these needs, effectively facilitating localized leadership development.
- Resource Utilization: Leverage existing materials, such as the Leadership Development book produced for the Congress, to provide training that emphasizes character formation. Additionally, creating an online platform for sharing resources and best practices can help sustain ongoing development.
- Integration of Faith and Life: Design practical tools, such as guides and workshops, that equip leaders and congregants to integrate their faith into daily routines, encouraging active participation in community and workplace settings. Action plans for community engagement can be provided to help bridge the gap.
- Collaboration and Networking: Foster intentional partnerships through networking events, collaborative initiatives, and joint community outreach programs. Establishing regular communication channels can enhance cooperation among diverse church organizations.
The report asserts that the church can effectively address these gaps through intentional actions promoting unity, mentorship, and the growth of Christlike leaders. Central to this vision is the belief that achieving impactful societal change is possible only through the collective mobilization of the entire body of Christ, including workplace believers and diverse community members.
A renewed emphasis on intergenerational mentoring is crucial, encouraging relationships between older and younger generations to ensure the transference of wisdom and accountability. As the church endeavors to integrate faith into daily life, fostering relationships across generational lines can significantly enhance community engagement.
Ultimately, the envisioned paradigm shift calls for a church that reflects Jesus’s discipleship model at every level. This includes empowering leaders who embody integrity and actively inspire others to engage in Kingdom work, thereby ensuring that the gospel positively influences society. Compassion, unity, and collaboration serve as foundational elements for building a transformative church that not only preaches the gospel but actively lives it out. By addressing the identified gaps and implementing the suggested recommendations, the Church can develop leaders of character who are equipped to navigate the complexities of contemporary society while fulfilling their mission.
Authors
Asia Williamson | Catalyst for Leadership Development
Asia J. Williamson is co-founder and co-director of One Rock International and the founder of SheLives. She is half Polish and half German. Asia’s passion is to develop people, equipping them to live with courage and lead with competence in the midst of complexities and change.
Gideon Para-Mallam | Catalyst for Leadership Development
Gideon Para-Mallam is an ordained minister, gifted Bible expositor, and leader in global missions. He is involved in advocacy for the persecuted church under The Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation (P-MPF), where he serves as the president/CEO. He is committed to serving God’s kingdom purposes: from Africa to the world and from the world to Africa.
Joseph Handley | Catalyst for Leadership Development
Joseph W Handley, Jr is the president of Asian Access. Previously he was the founding director of Azusa Pacific University’s Office of World Mission and lead mission pastor at Rolling Hills Covenant Church. He co-led one of the first multi-national high school mission congresses in Mexico City in 1996 and is a contributing blogger for the Billy Graham Center’s Gospel-Life Blog.