MovementsEverywhereRant: 5 Word Direction:
I love things that keep leaders focused. The leadership task is complicated enough–so anything that will help me focus and do the right things is readily embraced. For that reason, I found the following post from Shane Deike, National Director of Ethnic Student Ministries, helpful. As we cast vision and bring alignment to our movement building teams, these words will help. (Add Shane’s blog to “often read” list.)
5 Word Direction
From Shane Deike:
This morning I had a great conversation with Ken, a wonderful Godly leader. He dropped more spiritual nuggets on me than I have time to share here, but one that really stood out in regards to movements. He shared that back in his Campus Director days (he now leads the campus ministry for a country), he would simply begin their year by explaining to students the purpose of the group in 5 simple words. Three are obvious, the other two are glue.
Win
Build
Send
Movement
World
The summary seems simple, and yet by defining what we do and where we go, you gain a potency from the early stages of involvement. It is known that this is a group that exists to reach lost people, to establish them in their faith, to send them to reach others and to continue the process so that the whole world knows. Worship will happen, Praise will happen, Bible studies will happen, Teaching will happen, but they will all exists to accomplish what God has called us to, not as an end in and of themselves.
It is hard to do “movement” if you are trying to be the prettiest show in town. Simplicity and rock solid direction are great assets. Many students may not buy into this, but many of the right kind of leaders will, and they will radically change the campus they are on (see John 6:22 and beyond)
However, like many things, this is much easier on paper. The campus is a complex beast, but we should never shirk away from challenging students to what may seem impossible. This is the only way to find those who are convinced that God is in the business of changing the world.