Missional Leaders

Networking Basics: Living Missionally

After doing a Google search on the word "networking" I realized that there is definitely a generational disconnect. I see networking primarily as a highly relational activity, face to face meetings, personal contact, meaningful engagements...but I think the younger generation sees networking primarily from a technological perspective with a relational component...thus the phenomenon of social networking. Now, I am not opposed to technology, for the last two years I have aggressively entered the world of "texting," "blogging", "tweeting" and "face booking".

Here is my concern; it is a rule of life that I have seen worked out in many ways...good things can become bad when there is an over-dependence on them. Social networking is a supplement for our relationships; it should add value to our relationships, not be the replacement of our personal engagement.

The mission that God has given us is a highly relational mission. Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" John 20:21. Jesus came into this world, lived in obscurity for 30 years and then spent three years relationally investing in twelve men, whose charge was to do the same thing by relationally investing in others. This strategy has worked for 2000 years each of us has been touched by someone reaching out to and investing in us relationally, thus advancing the gospel and the mission of God.

Missional leaders understand the power of connecting relationally in their community through personal networking. Ray Bakke offers this recommendation, "Pastors who network their communities, especially in the first year of a pastorate, may end up knowing that community better than any other person. This upfront investment of time should pay rich dividends and provide the opportunity to help people%u2026" (The Expanded Mission of City Center Churches, p 53-4)

Here are ten insights to help you as you enter the world of relational networking:

1. Trust in God's provision. Live with a humble dependence on God.
2. Take the posture of a servant. Be known as a servant leader.
3. Be an effective listener. Talk less and listen more.
4. Be an initiator. Get out and meet people weekly.
5. Make a memorable first impression. Dress appropriately for the setting.
6. Take every referral seriously.
7. Try something new. Join something in your community.
8. Develop partnerships. Build alliances with service groups
9. Keep accurate records. Know the people you meet.
10. Always follow up. Email or write a note after every meeting.

Excerpt from "FirstSteps for Planting a Missional Church" by Gary Rohrmayer

A number of years ago I heard a pastor say, "If you really want to know where a person's heart is - listen to their prayers." Our prayers can be a window to our souls that reveal our deepest motives, desires and passions. I used to define prayer as simply lifting up ones heart to the Lord. In that definition prayer is a highly personal and deeply intimate experience, it is not something that is very formal or structured. Yet that definition falls short because prayer is more than lifting one's heart to the Lord%u2026it also involves aligning one's life with God's mission, will and purposes in this world.

Prayer has a way of putting our lives in perspective. It is seeing ourselves from God's vantage point to align with His dreams and desires. Oswald Chambers wrote, "I have to learn that the aim of my life is God's, not mine. God is using me from His great personal standpoint and all he asks of me is that I trust Him."

I have been speaking and writing on Nine Prayers Leaders Can Pray to Enlarge Their Hearts. The response has been tremendous so I thought I would share them with you.

Here is the first prayer: "Father, break my heart for the world you are seeking to save."

David Brainerd, a young missionary, over three hundred years ago, gives us a great example of a leader whose heart was broken for his world. "I care not where I go, or how I live, or what I endure so that I may save souls. When I sleep I dream of them; when I awake they are first in my thoughts%u2026no amount of scholastic attainment, of able and profound exposition of brilliant and stirring eloquence can atone for the absence of a deep impassioned sympathetic love for human souls."

Brainerd's words remind me of God's missional heart cry in Genesis 3:8-9, "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?'"

These thoughts remind me of Jesus' missional lament in Matthew 23:37-38, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate."

Brainerd's words also remind me of Paul's passionate confession in Romans 9:1-5: "I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit-I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel."

Evan Roberts, a 26 year old coal miner heard a man pray this prayer, "Bend us, Lord. Bend us." He left that prayer meeting praying this simple prayer, "Bend me, O Lord. Bend me." This prayer was the spark that set revival through the church in Wales. Out of that simple prayer Roberts developed a powerful message that contained these four points:

1. Confess all known sin
2. Deal with and get rid of anything doubtful in your life
3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly
4. Confess Christ publicly

Over the next year he preached that message and 100,000 people came to Christ in what is known as the Welsh Revival of 1904.
Missional leaders pray "break us" prayers. Break our hearts, minds and souls so that we will adjust our lives to be aligned perfectly with Your redemptive flow.

Excerpt from Gary's book: NextSteps for Leading a Missional Church