An intuitive grasp of the principles of gravity and aerodynamics is sufficient to catch a ball that is thrown to you. But it’s not sufficient to design an airplane, even though the same principles are at work! To design an airplane, you need a considerably greater (and conscious) mastery of the principles.
In the same way, there is both “simple” and “complex” leader development design. Just as you can catch a ball without knowing anything about “lift” and “acceleration,” so you can intuitively harness the power of 4D design (incorporating spiritual, relational, experiential and instructional dynamics) without being able to design a full-time, multi-year curriculum for training.
Anyone can do “simple” design.
It is not hard to start doing simple design. Anyone can do it. In fact, you are probably already doing it.
- Have you ever given a challenging assignment to a young leader? Why did you do that? How did that impact him or her?
- Have you ever arranged a mentoring or coaching relationship for a young leader? Why did you do that? How did that impact him or her?
That was effective design. You have already done design!
Case Study from a Church in Asia
Recently in our local church we wanted to build two young men by having them lead a discipleship program. But due to their relative immaturity, we were concerned for the quality of the program. So we decided to still have them lead the program but we had two experienced leaders be their ministry coaches. This way the young men could confidently lead the program with the older leaders coaching them. As a result, the young men could really grow and at the same time the work would be done well.
- When you create a mentoring relationship for one young leader, you have just done design.
- When you intentionally give an emerging leader a single challenging assignment, you have just done design.
- When you initiate a coaching relationship for an existing leader, you have just done design.
- When you connect a leader with an intercessor who will regularly pray for him, you have just done design.
- When you make opportunities for mature leaders to spend time with young leaders, sharing their lives and experiences, you have just done design.
- When you take an emerging leader with you on a ministry trip, you have just done design.
- When you hold someone accountable in order to help them grow, you have just done design.
- When you provide opportunities for spiritual experiences for those you are building, you have just done design.
- When you enhance your teaching by inviting questions or by interacting with the participants, you have just done design.
- When you create a single learning experience for one of your children, you have just done design.
“Doing design” simply means being intentional about using the Four Dynamics to take advantage of existing opportunities or to create new opportunities for life transformation in the 5Cs.
When you understand the simple, organic nature of leader development, you will realize that you are literally surrounded by opportunities to build life! Not everything in leader development is about creating new opportunities. Much of it is about using what is already happening. Simply be intentional in grasping those opportunities. This is what Jesus did. Sometimes He created new opportunities, but much of the time He simply used what was already going on. In both cases He was intentional – that’s the key; that’s the essence of “design.”
You can use the 5C and 4D Models to build your own life, your marriage, your children, your church, your emerging and existing leaders – everyone!
It is not hard! You can do this immediately, and the more you do it, the better you will be at it.
As we can see, we don’t even need a course – let alone a big training institution – to build leaders!