Leading the way

The effectiveness of any organisation depends on the quality of its leadership, but the survival of any organisation depends on the quality of its leadership development.

Godly leadership is essential in mission, especially when times are tough and the challenges are as diverse as the communities being served.

As a global community of more than 4,000 workers from different ethnic backgrounds, nations, ages, and experiences — serving in more than 70 countries — it’s vital to lead such a diverse group of individuals well, so they can flourish in the distinct roles God’s called them to.

“From the beginning, I was called to missions: To a country, to a particular ministry and then to leadership. God chose me to do a role and it’s a blessing.”

While it can be a privilege, fulfilling, and exciting, to be a leader in God’s mission, it’s also challenging and sometimes even daunting, so SIM recognises the need to invest in its leaders and to support them well.

In 2006, Dave Bremner joined the leadership team of SIM International — the over-arching body that binds the various country offices together — with specific oversight of SIM’s work in East and Southern Africa.

Prior to that, Dave and his wife Nikki were involved with church planting and veterinary ministries in one of the most resistant and least-reached areas of Latin America.

In 2013, Dave was asked to take on responsibility for leader development across Serving In Mission.

“Our ministry is to empower and equip leaders to grow in the leadership roles God’s given them, for his glory, and for greater fruitfulness in the ministries we do,” he explains.

“But there’s a difference between being a great leader and leading well.” 

To help understand the ultimate purpose of leadership within SIM and what it should look like, Dave designed and launched a training course, underpinned by the biblical basis that leaders are called to be shepherds, servants, and stewards, and that although we’re many; we’re one body working in unity.

The training aims to equip senior leaders with skills and tools to help lead their ministry teams well so they can fulfil SIM’s overall vision to see:

• A witness to Christ’s love where he’s least-known globally and locally.

• Disciples of Jesus expressing God’s love in their communities and,

• Christ-centred churches among all peoples.

“It’s tempting for leaders to think that they must become really good at doing everything,” warns Dave.

“This might be the ability for visionary thinking and leading the charge towards a common goal; it might have to do with pastorally caring for their team and leading them in their spiritual walk; or it might have to do with being great with administrative detail so that things function well.

“Every SIM worker has unique God-given gifts, but it’s unlikely any leader will have all the necessary abilities to lead well in every aspect of leadership,” adds Dave, “so we show how to lead with humility and to put into action the idea of sharing the many leadership gifts that are needed with other leaders in our teams.

“Along with the wonderful biblical images of a leader as a loving shepherd, humble servant and faithful steward, is the concept of leading in community that we refer to as shared leadership.

“However, shared leadership doesn’t just mean delegating tasks; it involves giving responsibility to others within their multi-ethnic teams, so they become the leaders in the areas of their gifting and expertise.”

The two-year leader development experience is built around a mentoring relationship with capable and experienced mentors from within SIM.

Each leader creates a plan to develop, strengthen, and improve their leadership character and skills, and then works through that growth plan with their mentor over the two-year period. The growth and development is tracked and documented along the way.

“I’ve experienced the leader development course from both sides: as a leader being developed and as a mentor and it’s undoubtedly had an impact. I continue to trust the Spirit to give me the wisdom to lead well, but I’ve seen a positive change because of the training that’s helped me to be more effective, productive, and God-honouring in my role.“

Please pray

• give thanks for SIM’s leader development initiative to nurture and develop biblical leadership within the organisation;
• for SIM’s leaders to understand and follow Christ’s model of leadership;
• that each SIM worker will use their leadership gifts, talents, and skills, to love God and to love others.