The Missional Leadership Initiative

The CGGC announced a new opportunity for personal growth and leadership development within our denomination last year called the Missional Leadership Initiative. The "MLI" is a two-year experience designed to help our church leaders grow and develop the character and skills necessary to lead effectively in the work God is asking us to do for the sake of his kingdom. The experience has been designed and is led by Reggie McNeal, and it involves six three-day retreats over a two-year period, participation in a 'cohort group,' as well as various books to read and homework exercises to complete.

I signed up and started the journey along with approximately 40 other church leaders last January. Now that we've been through the first year of the two-year program, Lance Finley (coordinator of the MLI) recently asked participants to share their experiences thus far. He asked two questions:

1. What difference has MLI made in your life/ministry?
2. How is what you're learning/experiencing becoming a reality in your ministry context?

I asked Lance if it was okay to share this on the blog, in hopes that it might generate some discussion by those who are already involved in the MLI, but also to get some feedback from some of you not (yet) involved.

I wondered if any of you already participating would care to share how you answered Lance's questions (or any feedback you might have - negative or positive); and also, for those of you not participating, are there any reasons why you have not participated, would you be willing to, or do you have any questions or other comments?

Here is what I shared with Lance about my experience thus far:

I think the biggest difference the MLI has had for me has been a focus. Our church had already broken down some of the 'old' ways, but we lacked direction in how to move forward. I think the 'scorecarding' exercises are especially helpful - though we are still taking baby steps in that regard - it at least gives us something to work with.

Personally, I think just the idea of going through this with others has meant a lot to me. I've been reading about missional stuff for some time, but it's not the same thing as being involved with a group who are all going through it together. I thoroughly enjoy the retreats; the cohorts groups are something I've been looking for for a long time; I even like the homework. I NEED things like that to motivate and encourage me.

As far as how it's becoming a reality... It's hard to pinpoint anything specifically. I've been talking about this at our church for a few years. We started to enact many of these changes when our council worked through 'The Present Future' book in 2006. However, I recently took an even larger group through 'The Present Future' DVD series, and along with what we've been learning through MLI it is a nice combination. We have recently formed a "focus group" (or core group, or something like that) to begin addressing things in a more substantive way.

Overall I think this is one of the best things the CGGC has done in my 11+ years as a pastor.

It should be noted that this is to be an on-going thing, with the next session slated to begin in 2012. Any thoughts, comments, or questions? Anyone thinking about signing up for the next round? (I would highly recommend it)