Perhaps our best ORGANIZATIONAL efforts have grown beyond our capacity to relationally connect leaders with grass-roots ministers.
With the increase of DISCONNECTION it is not a shock that there is a CRY for RELATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Words like mentors, coaching, brotherhood, father/son...keep surfacing which suggests to me that there is a deep desire for TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS.
Jesus operated in the principle of 1, 3, 12, 70 and Multitude. He had three inner-circle friends that He took with Him nearly everywhere He went. If we are to operate in the same, then those who are closest to us, more than likely, will KNOW us, our FEELINGS, our STRUGGLES and even our FAILINGS.
This is where we see a rise of smaller NETWORKS that are not bound by the constraints of denominational affiliation (i.e., doctrinal statements or a structure of leadership and control.) but rather bound by FUNCTION. (i.e., healthy congregational ministry and church planting.)
Every leader understands the need to have people over them. That is a given. But there is also the need for HORIZONTAL ACCOUNTABILITY which provides an opportunity to voluntarily submit yourself to your peers.
Accountability is not guaranteed by any certain relationship since the relationship itself does not have the ability to hold us accountable. We must MAKE ourselves accountable. Unless one willingly submits to another, the VULNERABILITY of a renegade life remains.
Transparency, openness, honesty and the like can never be imposed; rather, they come from a sense of the fear of the Lord.
Perhaps some of our leading denominational pastors can best serve their fellowships by combining the RESOURCES provided by the denomination with the FLEXIBILITY and SPECIALIZATION they can tailor to the needs of a certain group.
If we are to become RELATIONALLY CONNECTED then how awesome would it be if that connection took place with people who carry a similarity of values and passion?
Some networks may best serve leaders who have a passion for racial reconciliation or a passion for generational bridging, etc.
The bottom line is that when we are committed to advancing HIS KINGDOM...then we may even step into the arena of a CROSS-DENOMINATIONAL effort...where we are training leaders of ANY STRIPE!
I don't believe I am alone in my thinking. There is a growing openness for ENTREPRENEURIAL CHURCH PLANTING, APOSTOLIC LEADERSHIP and the cultivation of RELATIONSHIPS beyond boundary lines.
Let's keep it simple. The Gospel message isn't about building buildings, deeds and titles, positions and salaries, careers and control or even top heavy infrastructures. The Gospel message is SIMPLE and our purpose and actions must reflect the same.
Even if we find a network of HORIZONTAL camaraderie we must still retain VERTICAL accountability to a spiritual father or mother.
There are too many people out there doing their own thing. Everyone needs APOSTOLIC OVERSIGHT. But remember...accountability is voluntary, and you can avoid it whether you're in a denomination or an apostolic network.
More to come...