People not Programs

In the his book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman comments, “When His (Jesus’) plan is reflected upon, the basic philosophy is so different from that of the modern church that its implications are nothing less than revolutionary…His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes but with men whom the multitudes would follow…Men were to be His method of winning the world to God. The initial objective of Jesus’ plan was to enlist men who could bear witness to His life and carry on His work after He returned to the Father.”

If we are to be like Christ, not only in character but also in ministry methodology, we must prioritize the investing of our lives in the lives of those people who will bear the maximum responsibility for the future ministry of the kingdom. In Coleman’s model of leadership development, based on the example of Jesus Christ, we find a helpful and challenging guide to the training of the next generation of transformed disciples and multiplying leaders.

(from Jay Lorenzen - at right)

-Ethan