Here are 9 questions you can be asking this July. They are perfect for established MC leaders, new planters, and everyday disciples.
So, if you’ve been around Missio for a while, you know we believe leadership isn’t a title you earn — it’s a life you offer? Yes we assess and affirm leaders to make sure we are qualified and in a season of life to lead- but it’s far less about standing up front on a Sunday and way more about who leans in with Jesus, with people, and the mission He’s invited us into- then leads others to do the same.
We don’t follow a “sage on a stage” model of leadership- though all our leaders follow Jesus and practice wisdom.
I’m digressing, here’s the thing:
If you’re sensing that God might be stirring something new in you, it’s worth paying attention.
Leadership in Missio looks…
A a lot like serving.
A lot like listening.
A lot like loving.
A lot like being immersed in the Story of God and staying curious while developing convictions
A lot like hosting tables, asking good questions, and creating spaces where people can actually meet with Jesus — not just hear about Him.
And a lot like taking initiative to lead others to do the same.
To help us all listen well, here are 9 questions we invite you to sit with in this season.
1. Where do you see a need for a missional community?
We are starting big. Where do you still see spaces for the good news of the Kingdom in your neighborhood, network of friends, or needs around your city? Missional communities are born where hunger and hope collide so lets refine the question a little.
Where do you see loneliness?
Where do you see spiritual apathy?
Where do you notice people longing for belonging, for purpose, for a better story than the one they’re stuck in?
Where has God already placed you and you are sensing some more intentionality and purpose may be helpful in planting Gospel seeds?
Where do you see God is already forming a network of relationships around you?
Sometimes the Spirit’s nudge comes in the form of noticing needs no one else is naming yet and not being able to shake it. So pay attention as you pray, walk, and listen. Want some help setting up a prayer walk? Talk with your MC leader.
2. Where have you already been serving.
Don’t disqualify yourself if your leadership résumé isn’t packed with titles.
We’re not asking if you’ve preached sermons or led elder meetings.
We’re asking: Where have you served faithfully? Where have you shepherded hearts? Where have you opened your life to others? We are asking what makes you come alive and how Might Jesus use that for the sake of his church and the cities around us?
Remember: Leadership here is less about degrees and more about deeds and postures of love done humbly over periods of time.
3. How do you understand the difference between “we can do it — you can help” and “you can do it — we can help”?
This one matters.
“We can do it — you can help” is the posture of control.
“You can do it — we can help” is the posture of empowerment.
The first builds crowds (maybe.)
The second builds leaders.
In our Missio Communities, we’re betting everything on the second.
We want to unleash Spirit-filled leaders who know they are the body — not just passive spectators of it.
4. What do you love most about Jesus’ church?
Seriously, what fills your lungs with hope?
Is it watching people discover grace for the first time?
Is it the way the church becomes a family for the lonely?
Is it seeing healing break in where there used to be shame?
Is it seeing kids experience the good news of the kingdom for themselves?
If you can name what you love, you’ll stay anchored when leadership gets hard (and it will). You also may notice theres room to step into spaces of leadership in the larger community- not just your immediate MC.
5. If you had five weeks with a brand-new disciple before they moved, what would be mission critical? And are you passing that on to people currently?
Imagine the clock is ticking.
You have five weeks.
What would you make sure they knew?
What rhythms would you model?
What conversations would you prioritize?
Boiling it down forces clarity about what really matters and asking who you are teaching those things to now helps to highlight if you are in disciplemaking relationships right now.
6. Where would you say you are on those discipleship competencies?
Quick refresher:
I don’t know what I’m doing and I know it.
I don’t know what I’m doing but I think I do.
I know what I’m doing but it still takes effort.
I know what I’m doing and can now teach others.
Wherever you are be honest.
Humility and teachability are way more important than being impressive. What do you need to learn and grow in as you follow Jesus and start to lead others to do the same?
7. What giftings do you think you have?
Are you a gatherer?
A teacher?
A servant?
A shepherd?
An encourager?
A prayer warrior?
A Recruiter?
You don’t have to have it all — no one does.
But naming your gifting can help you serve in ways that feel more like breathing than striving.
8. Who are leaders you’d like to emulate?
Not just famous names.
Think character more than charisma.
Think women or men who have led you well and you’d like to follow them as they follow Jesus.
Who leads like Jesus?
Who serves without needing applause?
Who teaches without making it about them?
Who you admire says a lot about who you’re becoming.
Who can you follow as they follow Jesus?
What do you think apprenticing yourselves to them could look like in this season?
9. What are you praying about in this season of life and discernment?
Finally, what are you bringing before God right now? Lets give it a name. What is it that after navigating the questions above you want to discern?
What are the fears you’re experiencing?
The hopes you’re holding onto?
The doors you’re asking Him to open — or to close?
Who else do you need to share these things with? (remember growth doesn’t happen in isolation)
Prayer isn’t just the preparation for discernment — it is discernment.
Friends, God is at work in you.
God is at work in us.
And remember the invitation to lead isn’t about stepping onto a stage, it’s about stepping deeper into the life of Jesus for the sake of others and leading others to do the same!~
— Kevin-