The world's most challenged leaders are Sent-ministers in any area of divine calling. First, because they have a divine duty to assemble, co-ordinate and lead people to goals they [the people] are yet to understand or grasp; people whose basis of coming together is each one’s personal will.
Secondly, to function effectively, this class of leader requires this same people to willingly offer manual, professional and spiritual support for a vision they did not initiate. When one recognizes this fact, you can't help but respect for this class of leaders.
No man can take this office to himself. It cannot be claimed as a fundamental human right. Rather it is a gift of God's Grace. The Industrialist has his capital, resources and bank loans to hire the best hands anywhere. So do Governments, but the God-called Minister usually is not in position of such earthly assistance. And thus, for him or her to find the right persons to work with could be as arduous a task as seeking a needle in a haystack.
One issue to resolve is understanding what makes certain people the right people to work with? What should one look for when building a team of helpers? What are the factors that get people willingly involved in spiritual service in the first place?
Let us consider two factors; Motivation and Conviction. The truth is, people do things, especially when it concerns others, as moved by Conviction and Motivation.
MOTIVATION, CONVICTION & CHOICE OF TEAM MEMBERS
Since your approach to recruiting workers determines the quality of persons you can have, it is vital to understand the dynamics of motivation and conviction on people's lives and choices, how it affects your vision, and how to properly apply both for the good of your people and ultimately your vision.
Motivation
Motivation is incentive, drive, enthusiasm, stimulus, impetus.
Motivation makes people do what is expected of them, while Conviction ns
certainty,
In spite of motivation, people will still act, first, based on conviction, confidence, assurance, sincerity, passion, fervour, belief. While Motivation is a force one cannot ignore, Conviction is deeper rooted. Conviction will make a man die for a course. Suicide bombers are an example of people with a conviction, albeit negative. Motivation will move one to carry his cross, but only conviction will keep him from dropping it when the journey gets rough. Motivation made the crowd follow Jesus. Conviction made the woman with the issue of blood disregard the consequences and press through to touch the hem of Jesus' garment.
HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR OWN VISION BUILDERS
However, one must not assume the suspicious mode of hunting for negative motives, for God is able to use all motives and intentions to work out His divine purposes.
A guiding Principle to note here is: In spite of motivation, people will still act, first, based on Conviction.
Conviction
People serve basically for reasons reinforced by a conviction.
Now, conviction is inward. Its true nature cannot be easily identified by
another person. One may claim to see conviction in what a person does, but this
is not always the case. It is possible for a person to 'serve' well on the
outside but be totally different within. Judas Iscariot is a good example.
IDENTIFYING CONVICTION
A senior minister and mentor once shared with me on choosing leaders. He explained that you can only do your best. Jesus chose twelve but one turned bad.
The crux of his counsel is this: if you can achieve 90% good, with 10% not so good, you've done a good enough job, but if you achieve 90% bad and only 10% good you have a big problem on your hands. The following steps can help you begin to achieve 90%.
Listen To God
That was how Jesus started. Only God knows the inward conviction
behind the actions of any man. Today's fantastic prospect could be tomorrow
morning's major pain-in-the-neck. Nothing reveals a man or woman's heart like
power, authority and prominence. Ask and hear God before you even begin to do
anything about any prospect.
Exercise Discernment
The sent-minister will need to exercise discernment. Rely on the
gifts of the Holy Spirit, as stated in 1st Corinthians 12.
Consider Their Service History
It has been said that truth retains its dimension and colour
regardless of time. Time is a proven revealer of true Conviction. The apostle
Paul admonishes leaders in 1Timothy 3:10, “Before they are appointed as deacons
[officers, team members], they should be given other responsibilities in the
church as a test of their character and ability. If they do well, then they may
serve as deacons.” (NLT)
In other words, do these prospective appointees have a history of worthy spiritual service within your vision? Have they served in any way, in times past to promote the vision of the house? If they don't have any such record, a period of probation is sensible before committing the reins of responsibility to them. By this you give them time to develop a history of spiritual service.
Consider the CV of some of Jesus' team members:
Peter cut off a soldier's ear to protect Jesus. John and James wanted to call down Thunder. Peter walked on the waters of a stormy sea to go to Jesus. Phillip brought a small lad's meal to feed a multitude. Even the ways by which many of them died showed their conviction about following Jesus. They showed themselves, consciously and unconsciously, as leadership material upon which Jesus could build the foundation of the Church.
In conclusion People of conviction will stand by you when nothing seems to be happening. They are the ones you'll find around you when it seems you are a failure. A number of such are probably still with you today. These are people of conviction.
People of conviction will always stand with you in your vision. When you begin to identify them, make them into a team. This was our Master Jesus' first acts before he started a teaching ministry. Vision Builders wishes you all the best.
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