How to serve those in charge
By
Stephen T. Hoke
Stephen T. Hoke spent 15 years growing up in Japan, and afterward prepared the next generation of World Christians for cross-cultural ministry as Vice-President for Training at Church Resource Ministries.
When Ray went overseas for further education and ministry, he never anticipated the traumatic events to follow. He volunteered for a leadership role soon after arriving overseas at the Christian school where he was studying. His position linked him to an older adult experienced in the language, the culture, and the specifics of the ministry.
But Ray didn't take the time to listen to advice or come under the spiritual counsel of his leader. He wanted to begin new ministries, form gospel teams, and change the world - not spend his time listening to advice.
He initiated projects without informing his leaders, and sometimes even deceived those who asked questions. Before long, Ray had isolated himself from his team and leaders. He was eventually dismissed and had to leave the country because he hadn't followed their advice in filing properly for visas and alien registration.
Ray's story is an extreme, but true, one. All too many short-term workers neglect building relationships with their leaders.
Relating well with the leaders on your short term will demand change on your part. Get ready, because getting to know and work with your leaders will tug you and stretch you in directions you never imagined.
Follow
Ask yourself, "How can I best serve the leaders God has given me?" You may relate with your leaders in all kinds of ways, but the working relationship is different. Quickly learn how best to work with your leaders. How do they want you to keep them informed? If you have a question, how would you proceed? How often do they want you to meet with them? What kind of indicators show them you're accomplishing your task?
Look for ways to support their ministry. Be willing to submit to their advice and counsel.
Accept
Accept your leaders rather than trying to fight them or change them. Be prepared for disappointment. Mission leaders are ordinary disciples, seeking to grow in Christ themselves.
I've worked under at least four kinds of leaders: some have been timid, others tired, many traditional, and some touchy. Learn to respect the position of each type of leader, even if you disagree with the person. Look for ways to affirm; don't criticize and intimidate.
Learn
Get to know those you're following. As you develop a personal relationship with your leaders, you'll be better equipped to understand why they do what they do.
Observe their ministry closely. As you do, remember Romans 13:1 and Hebrews 13:17. Seeing your leaders as divinely appointed mentors or disciplers will free you to learn from and with them as you minister side by side.
When Sam went to Africa , he was eager to apply his Christian education degree and make an impact in Kenya . He wisely chose to be discipled by an itinerant Kenyan evangelist for the first two years. The intimate exposure afforded by traveling and working together helped Sam learn how to weave a strong fabric of relationships with national Christians, pastors, and church leaders. It was out of these interwoven relationships that Sam was able to build a continent-wide ministry in leadership development over the course of the next five years.
Looking back, Sam reflects, "I learned a lot of hard lessons I would never have learned had I not chosen to submit myself to my leader."
Look for your leaders' strengths in ministry. How do they relate to national pastors? How do they engage in natural evangelism? How do they plan? How do they balance ministry demands with family life? When you don't understand why they do what they do, ask. Few leaders feel comfortable in demanding time with short-term workers, but most are flattered when asked for the time for conversation and counsel.
Spend time getting to know them by asking some of the following questions:
Initiate
Most leaders pray for motivated, responsible co-workers. They're looking for people who will jump in with fresh ideas and follow them through to completion. If you understand the context in which you're working and the parameters of the task, offer suggestions and be available when work needs to be done.
Pray
Make it a priority to pray daily and specifically for each of the people serving you as leaders. Bathe your relationship in prayer, committing the rough spots to the Lord. Let their personal pain and triumph drive you to your knees.
Work zealously at following your leader. Give it your best shot. Paul was wholehearted and zealous in all his work for God. Zeal refers to something within that "boils up" - the enthusiasm that irresistibly bubbles up in the heart.
Pray that God's Spirit will keep you at that boiling point in your desire to build lasting relationships with your leaders during your short-term mission.