Author Suggests Visionary Leaders Build Spiritual 'Dream Teams'
by Allie Martin
September 9, 2004
(AgapePress) - The pastor of the nation's largest United Methodist Church says pastors, laypeople, and church leaders must surround themselves with people who share God's vision and purpose for the task at hand.
In his new book, Entrepreneurial Faith (Waterbrook Press, 2004), KirbyJon Caldwell encourages church leaders to go beyond what he calls "status quo ministry." The author, who pastors Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, says to do this, leaders need to surround themselves with what he calls a "dream team."
According to Caldwell, a dream team is one that heeds the words of Proverbs 29:18, which states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." And he adds, "Without the right people, the vision will perish. So be you a pastor or lay person, or be you single, married, or divorced, one of your primary objectives for spiritual and practical success in a godly way is to surround yourself with the right people -- God's people -- for you in your life."
The Texas pastor, who counts President George W. Bush as one of his closest friends, says in order to see success, whether in ministry or secular work, a true leader must learn to think outside the box. True success, Caldwell contends, lies in finding opportunities and taking risks for the sake of a vision that may not yet be visible to others.
That type of leadership requires what Caldwell describes as entrepreneurial faith. The Christian author advises those seeking to build and exercise such faith to seek the presence and encouragement of other faith-filled visionaries. He says, "Surround yourself with people who are going to encourage you to be who God wants you to be, to do what God wants you to do, and not be threatened by your success."
Caldwell's own church is an example of where entrepreneurial faith can lead. When he became pastor of Windsor Village UMC in 1982, the congregation had 25 members. Today the Southwest Houston church has more than 14,000 people on the roll.
