As Jesus, Paul and David showed, visionary leadership gains its transformational impact through the power of example.
These three leaders embodied and exemplified their vision from God, and so were able to help others catch the vision and walk in it with them. Thus, we can see that discipleship is a key component of transformational leadership. In turn, once we think about the godly transformation of a church, or a family, or a ministry, or a business, or a community, this brings to the fore the VMVEGS factors:
Vision -- seeing things aright under God, so we can make the most of our opportunities and call to help fulfill his plan
Mission -- Our part of bringing God's vision to pass, based on his call to us
Values -- What we should hold dear, to be able to help bring the vision to pass
Example -- What we should be like, to inspire and lead others under the vision
Goals -- Achievement targets that help us fulfill our part of the vision
Strategy -- Making the most of opportunities, resources and efforts to achieve our goals and mission under a vision
We can immediately apply this to what we can call the operational form of the church's mandate, as Paul writes in Eph 4:
(Eph 4:10He [Christ] who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Here we see how Christ came, descending and ascending to -- purpose -- fill all things, thus utterly transform them from the chaos caused by sin.
To effect this, he gave us Spirit-anointed, gifted leaders who help equip us so that (by the same empowering) WE can carry out the works of Christian service that bless and transform our lives, families, churches, communities. As more and more of us therefore begin to walk in the good works God has laid out in advance for us, a rising tide of blessing fills our world ever more and more.
Thus we can see the wave of conversion and discipleship driving a rising tide of transformation:
With this in mind, we can get more specific:
Activities
1 --> On the first day of the second week, work your way through Part III of the visional scriptures study, on Eph 2:4 – 10, 4:10 – 16, 5:8 - 17. Answer questions l to q.
2 --> Later that day, share some of your thoughts in the course forum.
3 --> The next day, let us focus a bit more on question q, about making the most of opportunities in an evil day. Clearly, we need to grow as disciples of Christ who through the power of God's grace, live by the truth in love and purity, seek to be good examples, and learn and fulfill our specific call to service. In light of the discipleship disciplines discussed in the ABCD course, and opportunities suggested in the MVAT kit, what are some specific action steps you can take to fulfill Eph 5:15 - 17? Share some of your thoughts.
4 --> The next day, look at Part IV of the visional scriptures study, and answer questions r to v. Try to identify a list of three to five action steps that you need to take "now." Discuss your thoughts on these steps in the forum, in light of the areas of service you sense that God is calling you to.
5 --> One of the little challenges that we face is to balance two concerns in 1 Thess 5:19 - 22. First, we should not quench the Spirit, suppressing his voice. But equally, since we are prone to mis-hear or have gaps in our understanding, we need to test whether we have heard accurately, we need to test our sense of leading, and cling to what is good and sound. Based on 2 Tim 3:14 - 17, Psalm 37:23 - 24, Ezekiel 36:26 - 27 and Psalm 119:105, etc., what are some ways we can make these tests? How, then, can we be confident that we are walking according to God's guidance?
6 --> Similarly, the Amplified translation of 1 John 5:14 - 14 shows how seeking the will of God is a key step to effective prayer:
5 --> One of the little challenges that we face is to balance two concerns in 1 Thess 5:19 - 22. First, we should not quench the Spirit, suppressing his voice. But equally, since we are prone to mis-hear or have gaps in our understanding, we need to test whether we have heard accurately, we need to test our sense of leading, and cling to what is good and sound. Based on 2 Tim 3:14 - 17, Psalm 37:23 - 24, Ezekiel 36:26 - 27 and Psalm 119:105, etc., what are some ways we can make these tests? How, then, can we be confident that we are walking according to God's guidance?
6 --> Similarly, the Amplified translation of 1 John 5:14 - 14 shows how seeking the will of God is a key step to effective prayer:
1 John 5:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.
7 --> Given these teachings, how should we pray for God's guidance, and for success in our undertakings?15And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
8 --> A key part of the concept of the church as the body of Christ is that we fulfill complementary roles that help support one another, in a team-effort. In light of the VMVEGS factors, how can we work together to fulfill these action steps, and build up effective collaborating ministries under the vision of Christ filling all things? (Make suggestions in the forum.)
9 --> Read 1 Jn 2:15 - 17, in the Amplified Bible:
1 John 2:15-17 (Amplified Bible)
15Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
17And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.
10 --> In the forum, discuss ways in which worldly distractions, entanglements and sins can blur our vision, blunt our zeal, and frustrate progress in our life and service as disciples.
11 --> In light of the discipleship disciplines, what are some effective steps we can take to counter such challenges and compensate for or correct our weak points? (Think about your own specific challenges and weaknesses and what steps you plan to take to overcome barriers to Godly success. If you feel free to do so, share a thought or two. Notice Paul's remarks in 2 Cor 12:7 - 10.)
12 --> Revise your initial notes on the VMVEGS worksheet, and discuss the resulting outline strategic ministry plans in your second VFM weekly discussion session.
For next time . . .
Glance at the PE2ST worksheet and the PE2ST --> SWOT strategy alignment tool, which you will use to help refine the ministry plans outlined in the VMVEGS sheet. (NB: BAU means "business as usual," and ALT means: the alternative strategy. )
