Reproduction 101
Brothers, some would say it is challenging to develop leaders; I would agree with that. In fact, one of the greatest barriers to developing leaders is failure to have and an intentional plan to reproduce. However, for us as Christians, the body of Christ, this should not be the case, although sadly it is. For us as Christians, we have been given an example, a blueprint, a diagram, an outline, a roadmap if you will of how to develop leaders—- IT’S RIGHT THERE IN OUR BIBLES.
Look at Jesus, THE ultimate intentional leader. Yes Brothers, JESUS demonstrated a 3-STEP PLAN to develop leaders—- Teach, Train, and Turn Loose. Once again, TEACH, TRAIN, & TURN LOOSE.
Teach—STEP 1: to impart knowledge, concepts, understanding and truth. Certainly, one would agree that Jesus taught HIS disciples. One concept Jesus preached and taught about was the “kingdom of heaven” as recorded in Matthew 4:17, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [NOTE: Jesus further expounded on this teaching in Matthew 13. I would encourage you to read it for yourself.]
Train— STEP 2: to provide real-world applications, practical hands-on activity that exhibit learning, improve skills, and abilities to become effective and efficient in relation to what was taught. Again, one would agree that Jesus certainly trained HIS disciples by providing real-world opportunities. For we can look at Matthew 10 and see just that. Listen to what it says, “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Brothers, that’s the same message Jesus taught.
Turn Loose— STEP 3: to release those who have been taught and trained to LEAD FULLY and in so doing reproduce the process. Jesus said in John 17:4, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” A major part of that work was to teach and to train the disciples, and then fully release them. You all know Jesus released them fully. We merely need to look at this foundational text, Matthew 28:19-20 that reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Brothers and sisters, the process seems so simple, so straightforward— TEACH, TRAIN, & TURN LOOSE! Yet, the Body of Christ seems to struggle, stumble, and even stagger in accomplishing this mission. I stated earlier that, “leaders grow leaders.” Perhaps, one reason why the mission appears to be stagnant is because many churches do not have qualified trained leadership in position. Or possibly, the leaders are apprehensive about the— TURN LOOSE aspect of the process. It is not unlike what some parents feel about their children— it’s hard to let go. However, if we consider Apostle Paul who stated these words in 2 Timothy, “To Timothy, my dear son,” … “the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). Brothers, internal to this verse is the TEACH, TRAIN, & TURN LOOSE model.
I know someone may be thinking, “making disciples isn’t necessarily a leadership role and if it is, it isn’t for everyone.” However, I would simply have you cross-reference the words from Apostle Paul 2 Corinthians chapter 5, he states, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.”
Now, Brothers, I would dare to say that anyone who is an AMBASSADOR is certainly a leader. So, to YOU— TEACH, TRAIN, & TURN LOOSE. Go and develop leaders, make disciples for Jesus Christ! You don’t have to reach everyone, but you must reach someone!
