Reproducing Disciplemaking Leaders

It was an honor co-convening the Leader Development Consultation last week in Chiang Mai Thailand! Asian Access came alongside of LeaderSource and several other organizations and movements to help “catalyze advances in thinking and practice in leader development around the world.”  We led an all-day intensive called “A Taste of Asian Access” and several of our colleagues led other workshops. In addition, we were an active player in the formal/non-formal theological education dialog where we are trying to find synergy for leader development specifically through theological formation. The highlight for me was...

Asian Access utilizes an interwoven curriculum that focuses on fourteen strategic areas of leadership and church health. These strategic areas are covered in a variety of ways depending on the needs and situation of the participants and on the availability of faculty.

There are four categories covered:

1. Developing the Leader
2. Reproducing Other Leaders
3. Multiplying Churches
4. Expanding the Kingdom...

“If you want something to last a year, plant a seed. If you want something to last a decade, plant a tree. If you want something to last a century, plant a person. But, if you want something to last for eternity, mentor people!” — Roli Manuel, Mentorlink and TOPIC, Philippines — Today’s topic for our Spiritual Engagement Track was Pastoring of Pastors and/or Mentoring. Herman Moldez, the leader of Mentorlink and TOPIC for the Philippines did an exceptional job of showing us how to really see lives changed: through mentoring of others to be and live like Jesus. His colleague Roli, caught the concept quite well in quoting the proverb above: if you want something to have enduring value: mentor people...

I recently read an article by Thom Rainer entitled ‘The One Common Factor of Effective Church Leaders’. He began the article by asking a critical question, “Is it possible to find one common factor in the lives and ministries of the most effective church leaders?” He answered, “I think so” and then went on to say that “The most effective church leaders are being continuously and intentionally mentored… …it is the difference between good leadership and great leadership for most church leaders.” Having made his point with some conviction, Thom Rainer however had to conclude that “mentoring is missing in over 90% of church leaders’ lives today.” After reading the article, I stopped to say a quiet prayer of thanks for my mentor of over 30 years, John Mallison who happened to be one of the great Christian leaders in Australia for the twentieth century. After an amazingly fruitful life that spanned more than eighty years, John went to be with the Lord he loved while he was out on his morning walk...

Silk and I we were in this church that she was really touched by the warmth of the family and friendship—about 100 and 150 people. They asked me to preach that day which was just a wonderful honor and privilege. I had been asked to talk about disciple-making. So I preached this fairly strong message about it, hoping maybe I can inspire this congregation to be disciple makers. Little did I know that they were already very actively doing this. It is really amazing...

It’s been an historic year for one of the countries we work in this year. Their country has been transformed in dramatic ways and Asian Access had the privilege of taking a small part in this sea changing season. The country was a former religious kingdom overthrown by a local insurgency which struggled to run the country. The religious groups dominating the nation were constantly...

I enjoyed seeing A3/Bangladesh class 2 leaders wrestle with Byron MacDonald's teaching...

Peter Mazumder, co-national director of A3/Bangladesh shares stories of the life-transforming process...

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) In June, I had the privilege of visiting my friend and A2/Cambodia National Director, Meng Aun Hour, in Cambodia. Meng took my daughters and me...

Five A3/Cambodia graduates shared their learning with a small village northeast of Phnom Penh. A3 alumni frequently visit towns to pass on what they have learned...

I recently attended the Global Discipleship Congress in Manila (May 22-25) and had a wonderful experience. Below is a note from Pastor Edmund Chan, a new friend whom I really enjoy spending time with. He has a passion for discipleship and I wanted to share with you his heartbeat.

I also wanted to share a brief testimony about my time at the event. I was invited to speak at a workshop for the Congress on "Pastors Reproducing Disciple-Making Leaders"...

What do we want to see as the result of our work in the life and ministry of each leader?

A3 seeks the following outcomes of our work in the life and ministry of every participant.  We feel we're successful when the leader is...

1. Living in a love relationship with God.

Effective ministry flows from our relationship with God—from the inside out. After 10-15 years in ministry, leaders can begin to lose their connection to the Lord—relying more on their strengths and experience. This brings trouble and weakens the impact of their ministry.  In contrast, leaders who continue to deepen their love of God are transformed and can bring powerful change to their sphere of influence.

2. Growing as a Christ-like leader.

Effective leaders who abide with Jesus, lead more and more like Jesus. Flowing out of transformed hearts, they exhibit fruits of the Spirit and grow in Christlikeness. If leaders are not growing in Christlikeness, ministry can get off track and they are more susceptible to spiritual plateau and abuse of power.

3. Reproducing disciple-making leaders.

Fruitful leaders say, “Follow me as I follow Jesus”. They live out that truth by reproducing themselves in others and equipping those new disciples to follow their example to make more disciples. This is the heart of the Great Commission to make disciples who not only follow Jesus but also make more disciples.

4. Accelerating Christ-centered movements.

Fruitful leaders build kingdom movements to expand the reach of their ministries. Starting new witnessing communities for spiritual growth, outreach, and multiplication gives more people access to Christ’s life-changing power. Launching new missional businesses brings about God-honoring change. Catalyzing movements advance the kingdom and bring momentum that transform people, families, cities, and countries.

The fifth unspoken outcome of launching a church multiplication movement is entirely up to God. Yet, with His blessing, the first four outcomes can actually result from specific steps A3 takes. In other words, there are practical things we can do in structuring our program in order to help achieve these outcomes.

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OUR ESSENCE | Outcomes | Leader Development Model | Sustainability

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