The Spirit leads believers to grow as workers who participate with Jesus in his ongoing ministry. God calls established leaders to help ministry workers and leaders grow in effectiveness by sharing in Jesus' character and ministry competency.

Sharing in Jesus' character

Growth in Jesus' character involves the transformation of the minister's heart in Jesus. This is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit and our role as equippers is, in large part, to provide nurturing environments that are conducive to his transforming work. Our experience and study tell us that such environments possess six defining characteristics - we call them the ministry foundations.

The foundations help us experience and express the being and activity of God, which leads to the emergence of corresponding attributes of Christ-like character. This correspondence is examined in our presentation of the ministry foundations.

Sharing in Jesus' ministry competency

Growth in Jesus' ministry competency involves acquiring and applying knowledge and skill related to participation with Jesus in his ministry lifestyle, which has four "patterns" of loving and living (see strategy). Resources to enhance growth in each of these patterns are presented in four ministry competency charts:

Each chart has three parts:

Essential knowledge. The knowledge that is essential for competency related to the particularl pattern.
Essential skills. The skills that are essential for competency related to the pattern.
Equipping toolbox. Resources that will be helpful to equippers and developing ministers in growing in competency related to the pattern. These resources may be used to facilitate team discussions, mentoring sessions, individual study, etc. Resource recommendations are welcomed - please send them to our webmaster. And note that our resource recommendations do not constitute our unreserved endorsement.

A few notes of explanation about using these charts:

They may seem a bit overwhelming in sheer volume. But view them as a compendium of resources to be used when and where help is needed. Ministry development is a marathon, not a sprint. So take it one step at a time.
Use them flexibly to fit the gifting and ministry context of each developing minister and the coaches and mentors who assist them.
They suggest the importance of measuring development progress. Such measurement is important and is encouraged. But measure with tact, mercy and an eye toward encouragement.
Growth in competency involves more than 'head knowledge'. Developing ministers need ‘hands on’ opportunities to apply what they are learning. Equippers and supervisors are encouraged to provide such ministry opportunities.