I have just returned home from 11 days of ReachGlobal leadership meetings in Hong Kong. During these days the top two levels of leadership for our mission gathered from around the world for a time of prayer, planning and equipping so that we can be most effective in leading the ministries God has entrusted to us. ReachGlobal has over 550 staff in more than 55 countries as well as over 100 ministry partnerships. It is always a joy to be together with my colleagues and to hear what God is "up to" around the world.
As I look back over our days together in Hong Kong, I find myself rejoicing in the quality and the health of the leadership teams I serve with in ReachGlobal. The sad fact over the past number of decades in missions is that more missionaries leave the field because of conflict with other missionaries and serving on unhealthy ministry teams than any other causes. One would think that the stress and strain of living in a cross-cultural setting or the difficult spiritual issues they face would be what sends many missionaries packing up and heading back home, but unfortunately it is more often an inability for missionaries to get along with other missionaries that is the culprit.
I am blessed to serve in leadership in a mission that values ministry health. Our ReachGlobal Sandbox states that we are "committed to healthy people living in healthy teams equipping healthy leaders in order to multiply healthy churches." After spending an extended time over the past two weeks with ReachGlobal leadership teams from around the world I can bear witness to the fact that we are living out our values in very effective ways. I can honestly say that I have never been with a more committed and effective group of ministry leaders as I was during my days in Hong Kong.
However, healthy leadership teams don't just happen. Rather they are the result of a great deal of prayer and intentional effort in selecting wisely, deploying strategically, equipping purposefully, and coaching effectively. Over the past several years ReachGlobal senior leaders have taken great care and expended significant time and effort to get to where we are today. My time in Hong Kong revealed how impactful this commitment has been on shaping the heart and the health of our top two levels of leadership in the mission.
Over more than 30 years of full time ministry leadership I have learned that one can never take healthy leadership teams for granted. The Enemy of our souls and arch rival of our ministry is constantly working to undo the good work that God is doing to build healthy teams. This is why we spent an entire day of fasting, worship and prayer as a part of our time together in Hong Kong. In addition, we spent a great deal of time learning about and discussing the applications for essential issues related to the overall health and effectiveness of both our staff and ministry partnerships. Healthy teams take a great deal of focused work to grow and maintain, but from my experience they are worth every bit of it.
We still have a ways to go in growing the ReachGlobal ministry teams around the world to be the most effective and healthy they can be. Yet it is exciting to see the progress that we are making! I for one can say that it is a joy to be a part of a mission that not only says it values ministry health, but is proactively doing something to bring it to reality on the ground in over 55 countries around the world.
As I look back over our days together in Hong Kong, I find myself rejoicing in the quality and the health of the leadership teams I serve with in ReachGlobal. The sad fact over the past number of decades in missions is that more missionaries leave the field because of conflict with other missionaries and serving on unhealthy ministry teams than any other causes. One would think that the stress and strain of living in a cross-cultural setting or the difficult spiritual issues they face would be what sends many missionaries packing up and heading back home, but unfortunately it is more often an inability for missionaries to get along with other missionaries that is the culprit.
I am blessed to serve in leadership in a mission that values ministry health. Our ReachGlobal Sandbox states that we are "committed to healthy people living in healthy teams equipping healthy leaders in order to multiply healthy churches." After spending an extended time over the past two weeks with ReachGlobal leadership teams from around the world I can bear witness to the fact that we are living out our values in very effective ways. I can honestly say that I have never been with a more committed and effective group of ministry leaders as I was during my days in Hong Kong.
However, healthy leadership teams don't just happen. Rather they are the result of a great deal of prayer and intentional effort in selecting wisely, deploying strategically, equipping purposefully, and coaching effectively. Over the past several years ReachGlobal senior leaders have taken great care and expended significant time and effort to get to where we are today. My time in Hong Kong revealed how impactful this commitment has been on shaping the heart and the health of our top two levels of leadership in the mission.
Over more than 30 years of full time ministry leadership I have learned that one can never take healthy leadership teams for granted. The Enemy of our souls and arch rival of our ministry is constantly working to undo the good work that God is doing to build healthy teams. This is why we spent an entire day of fasting, worship and prayer as a part of our time together in Hong Kong. In addition, we spent a great deal of time learning about and discussing the applications for essential issues related to the overall health and effectiveness of both our staff and ministry partnerships. Healthy teams take a great deal of focused work to grow and maintain, but from my experience they are worth every bit of it.
We still have a ways to go in growing the ReachGlobal ministry teams around the world to be the most effective and healthy they can be. Yet it is exciting to see the progress that we are making! I for one can say that it is a joy to be a part of a mission that not only says it values ministry health, but is proactively doing something to bring it to reality on the ground in over 55 countries around the world.
2 comments:
Kevin,
Thanks for the update. It is good to hear of the steps ReachGlobal takes to ensure good missionary health. And as you stated there is still room for growth in that area too.
What a tremendously difficult job to ensure that measure of health. Keep up the good work, and maybe someday all our missionaries, hey how about all our pastors, will be in healthy growing relationships with their team members and with themselves.
Thanks for the work you're doing! Praying for you!
Randy
Thanks, Randy. I agree that the health factor is very important for pastors and elders as well. I appreciate the prayers, support and encouragement. Praying for you, too!
Blessings,
Kevin
Post a Comment