What Do Missional Leaders Look Like? #1

February 27, 2007 | Filed Under leadership, missional |

Last week I shared seven characteristics or distinctives of missional leaders as observed by Dr. Dan Morgan, Church Planting Professor at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. In coming weeks we are going to examine each of the characteristics in more detail. The first of these distinctives is:

They grasp the importance of leading like Jesus.

Morgan articulates three different aspects of leading like Jesus. First, when we examine the teachings of Jesus there is a clear emphasis between obedience and the marks of a true disciple. A missional leader will show a strong commitment to obey the Lord as He reveals His will. In other words, for a missional leader “Jesus is Lord” of every area of life. Morgan states that this quality of obedient living implies a corollary commitment to the authority of the Word as the primary guide to God’s will.

Second, Jesus’ teaching on servant leadership is at the core of how a missional leader connects, serves and influences in a relational dominated context. Missional leaders ask “how can I serve you?” This question is asked of both believers and non-believers.

Third, leading like Jesus means that missional leaders are willing to take “faith-based risks.” Jesus was not afraid to enter into contexts that were threatening when He was sure the Father was leading. Likewise, missional leaders are willing to step into relational contexts that may initially be uncomfortable or even threatening for the sake of Christ-like influence.

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1 comment so far
  1. stephen February 27, 2007 12:05 pm

    Brad thanks for sharing more in depth about Dan’s findings/teachings. It was a great honor to spend those days with that group of people dedicated to the future.

    I look forward in re-learning these important traits of a missional leader.

    Keep up the great work!

    (Any hope the Royals will get out of the cellar this year?)