Vision Enhanced: So that Leaders...

...so that leaders are 

shaped,

sent,

supported

and

sustained

I want to deal with the question of purpose.  When I wrote this vision statement, I wanted to be very clear that I'm not just connecting people for fun.  It's not about the connection in itself.  The things that I am doing are meant for the holistic development of leaders.  Not just launching them.  Not just taking care of them when they're in the field.  The whole trajectory of leadership must be affected by reconciled relationships.

Leaders are shaped when they are taught by a variety of voices.  When I spoke to a group of high school interns a couple of weeks ago, I believed that my perspective was valuable to them.  I come with experiences downtown and in other parts of San Diego and the world.  I come with friendships that include the interns' staff team, their pastors, and some of the people who will be their classmates if they attend the local community college.  It's not just young people who need shaping, though.  Leaders are shaped throughout their lives-- particularly by relationships, and perhaps most of all by unique perspectives.

Sometimes, it's obvious that you need a bridge to send a person somewhere.  He or she may be marooned in a closed-loop of possibilities, whether by choice or circumstance.  Jesus calls his followers "sent ones" (apostles), but hometown/ home church/ home couch inertia can be strong.  Not enough people are being sent.  I'm not just talking about overseas missionaries.  Even more than that, I see a shortage of women and men being sent across an aisle or across the street.  We encourage more attending than sending, and leadership atrophies as a result.

Support and sustain are not synonyms in this context.  Strong relationships of love and trust are needed for both, but they refer to distinct outcomes.  It is my desire to support leaders in the thick of God's mission.  Moments of crisis, frustration, and uncertainty call for support, encouragement and renewed vision.  Even at a young age, I've seen enough tired leadership to quickly pick up on their pain, which often stems from isolation.  Sustaining a leader has in mind the long haul.  Friendship, counsel, and gentle reinforcement-- bring in the things that keep them going.

I should note that in fact, "Jesus" is the answer to all of these parts of a leader's holistic development.  Jesus is the first answer.  I hope that I point leaders to Jesus throughout their lives.  And I pray that Jesus remains the motivation and the model for shaping, sending, supporting and sustaining those leaders.  May my life, connections and friendships be at God's disposal for the building of his Kingdom.