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With
all of the news lately about the "collapse of
evangelicalism" in America, the ministry community is
desperately seeking ways to equip the next generation of
Christians.
Passing the Baton International (PTBI) has a unique
method: Ignore them. Instead of working directly with
youth, PTBI looks for adults with the potential to be
"leadership coaches"-people willing to walk alongside
young adults and give them opportunities to grow as
leaders.
PTBI's founder, Dr. Jeff Myers, arrived at this
unconventional approach after years as a conference
speaker. "No matter how many speeches I gave, the young
adults who actually emerged as leaders had all been
significantly influenced life-on-life by a parent or
mentor."
Myers decided to overhaul his ministry model to stop
working with youth and start equipping the adults who
influence them. He convened a gathering of ministry
professionals to explain this radical shift and was
shocked at the response: "They all openly admitted that
the 'direct to the masses' model had failed. I told
them, 'Guys, from now on, small is the new big.'"
As it turns out, the "small" approach of life-on-life
influence leads to big impact. Since 2006 PTBI has
conducted intensive workshops with 500 Christian schools
and churches around the world, a growth that Myers
attributes entirely to word-of-mouth.
"We've seen phenomenal results," says Myers. "Time after
time groups are telling us about the breakthroughs
they're experiencing as they change their focus to
'equip the equippers.'"
If this approach sounds familiar, you've probably been
reading the Gospels: "Let's get back to Jesus' model,"
Myers argues. "After all, in three years of earthly
ministry Jesus walked with 12 ordinary men, and they in
turn changed the world."
PTBI’s approach reminds us about Paul’s approach to
leadership training. In 2 Tim. 2:1 he says, “The things
which you have heard from me in the presence of many
witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be
able to teach others also.”
PTBI's training combines teaching about the life of
Christ, practice in coaching skills, and stories of
people who have embraced this ancient art of fun,
natural and stressfree discipleship. About 10,000 people
have been trained since 2006.
Last week Passing the Baton International released its
training program in DVD format, making it simple for
adults to become leadership coaches. For more
information, visit their website
www.passingthebaton.org
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