Training Leaders
07/07/2010 9:00 am <>
Most OMFers in Taiwan have a part in leadership training, either formally or informally. Many of us are helping to train lay leaders among the different groups we work with, and some of these will go on to pastor churches or Christian organizations. So we look out for people who have the potential to influence others, and we spend time with them, doing whatever it takes to help them to be prepared to share their faith with others.
Some churches still have a “top down” view of leadership, viewing the pastor as the boss of a company, albeit a non-profit making company. So the pastor is hired to do nearly everything in the church and fired if things go wrong. He (and occasionally a she) makes all the decisions and, if things go wrong, has to take the responsibility. Encouragingly in recent years, however, there has been a growing emphasis on team leadership, particularly in some larger churches, and there is recognition among many young people that this is the way to go.
OMFers’ main contribution is in modeling what servant leadership looks like in practice, serving without expecting a lot of financial reward, and without a great deal of recognition or visible success. In a culture where tangible and quick results are often emphasized, this is a counter-cultural example, and calls for patience and perseverance. When people see that we are not looking for money or status, there are many opportunities for witness and service. Many leaders here are lonely and are grateful for encouragement from a non-threatening source. They value a shoulder to lean on and someone to pray with. We also need to give an example of taking time away from work in order to relax – something that Christian leaders here find hard to do.
A few OMFers also work in more formal leadership training situations, including theological colleges, either part time or full time. Experimentation and creativity is needed to develop training that will fit Taiwan. Too many courses uncritically adopt assumptions, programs, and materials from overseas. Simply translating these into Chinese is not enough. Much more needs to be done in thinking through what is needed in Taiwan, after which the needed resources still have to be developed. This takes time and long term commitment if there are to be worthwhile outcomes.
Quite a few churches are suspicious of theological colleges, fearing that they are too intellectual and impractical. A number of churches have decided to implement their own training schemes to develop future leaders. In some cases this can work quite well, but there is the danger of unnecessary duplication of resources and only a shallow engagement with tough theological issues.
Investment in resources, in research and in long term development of people is greatly needed, and these things need to be given a high priority in order for a new generation of leaders to emerge.
Andrew Butler - Taipei
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