Two recent blog posts by Ircel Harrison featured on EthicsDaily.com are focused on the wonderful challenges we face in mission engagement currently.  Ircel speaks to the exact questions that we are asking in global missions.  How do we think systemically to work with and alongside churches and the “mission entrepreneurs” of our time?  How do we structure ourselves so that Communities of Missional Practice are uncovered in our mission engagement and global networks are birthed?

 Let me draw attention to the AsYouGo program as we look at the idea that Ircel uncovers when writing about the emerging “entrepreneurial” spirit in ministry.  The Cooperative Baptist Fellowships development of the AsYouGo Affiliate Program is an acknowledgement of this entrepreneurial spirit and one method among our many efforts to help Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission. 

We have appointed 48 field personnel since 2005 (including this year’s appointees at the General Assembly in Houston) under this AsYouGo Affiliate service model.  Our process of discernment gives the opportunity for personal and communal discernment and reflection of calling.  We hope to build a foundation of spiritual formation upon which Christians and churches can risk in faith. 

The AsYouGo program also enables the development of partners and networks.  These networks take the form of field personnel teams that operate as peer support, missiological accountability, and learning support, as well as networks of churches both local and global offering prayer, ministry, and financial support.  There are multiple opportunities for connection from both individuals and churches.  It is through these networks of collaboration that we are able to celebrate the movement of the Spirit and learn from our mistakes.  This collaboration invites us into community as the people of God.        

The Fellowships core values call us to biblically based global missions, trustworthiness, being a resource model, justice and reconciliation, and effectiveness.  Through the AsYouGo Affiliate service system we are actively walking alongside believers and churches as they dream those unique “out of the box” ministry visions to share the Gospel in their communities and throughout the world.  This is a resource model for cooperating and collaborating rather than establishing, owning, and controlling.  We recognize the call of Christ in every area and relationship in life.  We celebrate God’s gift of diversity among individuals and churches.  We encourage effectiveness by expanding mission ministry in innovative ways among the most neglected.

Two of my favorite quotes are appropriate here as we consider the role of organizations and congregations in the practice of missions in this new century. 

“Leadership is not the private reserve of a few charismatic men and women. It is a process ordinary people use when they are bringing forth the best from themselves and others. Leadership is your capacity to guide others to places they (and you) have never been before.” –James Kouzes, Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 2002

“Leadership is about connecting, not controlling. It is about bringing people together for the purpose of creative synergy.”  –Eddie Gibbs, Leadership Next, 2005

To God be the glory.