JEFFERSON CITY – As consulting catalyst (strategic leader) for Developing Leaders for the Missouri Baptist Convention, Dr. Tom Hufty has served under the direction of Executive Director Dr. John Yeats to lead a multi-year effort to reorient the MBC staff around a restated vision and mission.
The vision of the MBC missionary staff is: “Transforming lives and communities with the gospel.” The mission for all MBC missionaries is: “Cooperating with Missouri Baptists to make disciples, multiply churches, and develop leaders.”
In this Q&A, Hufty, who serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill., addresses what it means to develop leaders, and how the MBC is cooperating with Missouri Baptists to accomplish this.
When we talk about developing leaders, what does that mean?
By developing leaders, we mean equipping people to lead in every sphere of influence. We want Missouri Baptists to grow in leadership skills that benefit those to whom we minister – in our homes, churches, work places, and communities.
How does the work of developing leaders tie into the other elements of MBC’s mission, specifically, making disciples and multiplying churches?
The work of developing leaders is tied closely to making disciples and multiplying churches. Strong leadership is necessary to strengthen existing churches and launch new churches. When leaders get better at what they do, everyone benefits. Churches benefit, grow, and multiply as a result of leaders who are able to equip people to do the work of ministry.
What, specifically, is the MBC doing to help Missouri Baptists develop leaders?
First, we are mobilizing people for kingdom service. For example, through disaster relief teams, we are helping pastors and other church leaders minister to communities during times of crisis.
Second, we are strengthening church leaders with resources, networking events, and cohorts. One example is a series of networking events this year to support, train, and strengthen pastors.
Third, we are collaborating with Matt Kearns’ Making Disciples group to develop a pipeline of next-generation leaders.
Fourth, we are coming alongside churches that are going through seasons of transition, sometimes as a result of the loss of senior leadership, and providing needed encouragement and guidance through these difficult transitions.
How will Missouri Baptists know if the MBC is successful in developing leaders?
We’ve set some ambitious goals for 2016. For example, we plan to engage 1,500 young people in ministries that help them develop leadership skills. We also believe we can help 50 churches and associations that lack recognized leaders – for example, churches that are between pastors.
Further, we plan to engage 250 church leaders and their families in encouragement and strengthening events such as mb125 and Minister’s Juggling Act. In addition, we are organizing six networking opportunities in 2016 with an average of 20 pastors per event and a goal of developing five cohorts – that is, five groups of ministers who encourage and mentor one another.
Last, we plan to train 450 new volunteers in disaster relief, building upon the legacy that has made Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief a leader among Southern Baptists.
Why hasn’t the MBC named a permanent Developing Leaders catalyst yet?
Dr. Yeats is seeking someone outside of the current MBC staff to fill that position, someone who may provide a different perspective and, as a result, make unique contributions to the collaborative effort of the MBC staff members as they embrace their vision and mission. Pray for Dr. Yeats and his staff. This is a very important position to fill.
What is one thing you’d like to see Missouri Baptists do to focus more on developing leaders?
I’d like to see all of us capture a broader vision of leadership development. It isn’t just for pastors, ministerial staff, or lay leaders. God calls all of us to be faithful leaders/influencers in our marriages, homes, classrooms, work places, and neighborhoods. We all should seek how and where the Lord would have us be more effective imitators of Christ.