NATIONAL
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Jesus told his
disciples to make disciples of all nations, teaching them
to observe all that he commanded them. The FWBIM strategy
for Spain recognizes discipleship as the primary goal and
the basic thrust of everything we do in Spain. Missionaries
are never meant to be permanent fixtures in the
geographical location where they work. They are catalysts,
instruments in God’s hands to bring about positive
change by spreading the gospel, by making disciples of
individuals that decide to follow Christ, by gathering
disciples together into local churches, and then by
training leaders to carry on the work. The process is not
complete until effective leadership training has taken
place.
The FWBIM strategy for Spain
calls for the development of a program of National
Leadership Development that effectively addresses the needs
of those God calls to lead local congregations. This
involves the transferal and imparting of knowledge, both
biblical and practical, but also effective training that
produces the correct attitudes and skills necessary to be
effective leaders.
In the
past, FWBIM workers in Spain developed the Logos Bible
Seminary in Spain, with an integrated curriculum that led
to two diplomas: one for pastors and another for Christian
workers. Because of the demands of time and money, a
traditional approach to study was always a challenge. In
addition to that, even with the knowledge gained through
this type of study, the rate of success of leaders trained
this way was low. The positive tangible results of this
approach today are few or nonexistent.
For that reason, FWBIM workers in Spain are praying for God
to lead them to creative and innovative ways to develop
people as effective leaders. The transferal of biblical and
practical knowledge is imperative, but building character,
establishing correct attitudes and imparting basic
leadership skills are equally as important.
2. The ability to communicate well to his/her followers
3. A shepherd’s heart for his/her people
4. An understanding of the role of management as it relates to leadership
5. A deep desire for lifelong learning
6. A resolve to handle the pain that always comes with leadership
7. The anointing of the Spirit of God on his/her life
The two-week training emphasizes correct attitudes and the development of fundamental leadership skills in the following areas:
2. Management skills (emphasizing the development of a specific personal life management plan and a ministry plan)
3. Relational skills (demonstrated by positive affirmation that is practiced during the course)
4. Motivational skills (implemented by allowing students the opportunity to participate in the course and by giving assignments)
5. Creative Thinking skills (by giving new perspectives)
6. Decision-Making skills (by hands-on practice)
7. Ministry skills (by participation and learning methods)
In addition to their participation in the LMC, the National Ministries Team is praying and preparing to develop new and creative ways to impart basic knowledge. At the present we are developing:
• On-line courses
• Courses on DVDs
• Self-guided courses
• Short intensive workshops
The training that we offer will be for any and all believers in our local churches, moving them beyond basic discipleship courses. The goal is to increase the pool of leaders and leadership potential in each congregation, with the hopes that God will call some leaders from this pool to lead churches, start new churches, and lead the church planting movement in Spain and around the world.
As for the material within these courses, rather than rely solely on existing missionary personnel, we are enlisting the help of professionally trained and experienced teachers from around the world to lend their expertise to our program of training. For example, for a course on church history, the professor behind the material will be an experienced teacher who is both academically and spiritually qualified in the subject area. This is our goal with all the courses, understanding this means enlisting the help of teachers from other parts of the world that may or may not actually be on location in Spain. Once again, with the use of computer technology, this is entirely possible today.
