I've been on this so called missional journey for several years. I am indebted to many of the missional thinkers such as Hirsch, Frost, Guder, Cole, Halter, Smay, etc. I am also indebted to E. Stanley Jones, Newbigen, and other missionary theologians and thinkers. As one burnt out on doing "church" and "evangelism", each of these leaders helped me see another way existed. They painted the picture of a place I longed to discover. Eventually I found this place called incarnational/missional and I was excited to show others what I discovered. Unfortunately when I came back to lead others to this promised land it was as if I had begun speaking a language no one could understand. Tower of Babel was happening all over again!
But then I met Mike Breen. Mike Breen is a gifted teacher who has the ability to take great theory and turn it into practical "how to's." This comes from several decades of practicing what he is now teaching. My first encounter with him was through his book
Building a Discipling Culture. After being introduced to this book and joining one of the discipleship coaching huddles, I was able to lead them in to a missional (discipling) lifestyle. I can know say I have led a community of people into the amazing land called incarnational/missional. The next challenge was to begin multiplying those with me. We are now in the phase of attempting to multiply Missional Communities and that takes Missional Leaders. Fortunately I did not have to wonder through the desert as long this time. Multiplying Missional Leaders (MML) is a fantastic field guide to begin this process of multiplication.
So what's so good about it?
1. First and foremost is that Breen did not neglect the Bible in instructing leaders on how train up new leaders. In fact, he leads with the biblical premise everytime.
2. In a world that focuses so much attention on Competency Breen first draws our attention to Character and then Competency. Leaders must be honest with themselves. Are we being faithful? And are we being fruitful? The Character and Competency matrix is a great tool. Breen's look at appetite, approval, and ambition calls leaders to examine themselves.
3. Church splits and break-ups are a common theme. After reading Breen's take on the 5-fold gifts in Ephesians 4, it is easy to see why divisions begin. However, Breen helps leaders learn to value and desire the different personalities and gifts. Helping the people in my community understand how God has gifted them to lead helps them to not only lead more naturally and confidently, but also helps them pray and seek for persons with other gifting's to help.
4. The leadership pipeline gives leaders a good path and guide to follow. It is simple and easy to follow. The four C's helped me see some of the areas of need and opportunity in some of my leaders and gave us a language and guide for discussion and improvement. The readiness and availability tools are also already in use.
5. The 5 capitals is another great example of how to continue to challenge the leader to grow. Often times we get satisfied and prideful with one or two, but in order to build the Kingdom we need all 5 capitals in ourselves and in those we are discipling and training.
6. Language creates culture, but how do we find the right language (vocab) to create the right culture? Breen instructs us that your vocab will be defined by your vision, values, vehicles, and valuation. He does not only explain to us the learners that this is the case, but he shows us how this is done biblically. After reading MML, I came away with a biblical and confident view of each.
7. As was the case with
Building a Discipling Culture (a must read as well), Breen helps the visual learner like myself by using plenty of shapes, matrixes, and pictures.
This may be a book but you will find yourself using it like a field guide. Go ahead a clear a space off on your desk because this book will not make it to your shelf. It will be a permanent fixture and go to on your desk.
