“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” Eph. 2:10, NKJV.
We all have distinct personalities. If you are the parent of more than one child, you can see clearly that each of your kids has an amazingly different make-up from day one in life. Children come into life with a unique outlook that is all their own. It works the same way with groups of people. As the Holy Spirit works in a group with their various giftings and callings, something beautiful and uniquely challenging comes to the surface.
Janie and I have launched five churches and have closely coached several dozen more. One thing is clear—each of those churches has a unique personality. It is vital that we as leaders understand the make-up of the group we have been called by God to lead.
You-nique
In outreach, it is vital that you, as the leader, get in touch with the unique parameters your group has going for it.
For example, your group may be naturally inclined to linear thinking. Most church groups tend to be inclined in this direction. They think in concrete terms. Such groups find it difficult to relate to abstract ideas. They are very practical, almost to a fault. Sensory thinkers approach tasks as a series of checklists. They find satisfaction in getting things done.
The church leaders I served in Oregon were inclined toward this sort of linear thinking. My natural bend is not like that. I am a highly intuitive person. I have very little sensory skill in me naturally so it is sometimes cumbersome for me to communicate effectively. It is my left hand, so to speak. To be effective, I have recruited a number of “translators” who understand my approach to leadership and outreach and who naturally “speak” in the sensory mode.
Speak the language of evangelism that your people will understand.
As importantly, speak the language of outreach your greater community understands. Those you reach out to today will be the ones joining your team and doing the reaching out before long.
Books by Steve Sjogren:
