Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.

As I read today’s passage, specifically Mark 3:13-19, it brings to mind the 5 Steps of Leadership Development by Dave & Jon Ferguson.  You’ve probably seen these, even if phrased a little differently:  

1. I do, you watch, we talk.  
2. I do, you help, we talk.  
3. You do, I help, we talk.  
4. You do, I watch, we talk.  
5. You do, someone else watches.  

While these steps give us a framework, this was Jesus’ model of leadership development long before it was written down. What jumps out in verses 14 and 15 is that intimacy with Jesus should always come before impact for Jesus. 

These verses say, “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” 

Notice what it says first – that the apostles were to “be with Him.”  To me, this is Steps 1 & 2. Before they were sent as apostles, they were first called to be disciples — learners who simply stayed close to Jesus.  So often, as a ministry leader, I get these out of order.  I am often chomping at the bit to do God’s work without first being fueled and equipped by time in His presence — studying His nature and learning His ways.  I mean, if the twelve men who Jesus Himself chose to send as His representatives were first called to know Him, who am I to skip ahead?  

Next, we see Steps 3 & 4 in the apostles’ preaching, driving out demons, and, as Mark will tell us later, healing disease and sickness.  As we serve and minister to others, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit has eyes on us and helps us at every turn.  We are not left on our own; the Teacher supports and guides and equips us in the work He has called us to do.  (John 14:26)  

And finally, just like in discipleship, Step 5 is designed for multiplication.  The process doesn’t end with our “doing” over and over; it repeats through our leadership and training of others. One key difference here, though, is that while some leaders' goal is to make their followers more like THEM, our goal is to make them more like CHRIST.  HE is step 1, each and every time.  

There’s one phrase in each of these steps that carries a lot of weight — and it’s easy to overlook. It’s the “we talk” part.  At the time the apostles were chosen, they couldn't have imagined that, even after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, they would still be able to talk with Him through prayer.  Yet here we are, with that same access today.  Every step of the journey — being with Jesus, being shaped by Jesus, being sent by Jesus, and helping others do the same — is sustained by ongoing conversation with Him. He listens. He guides. He provides.  

That’s what makes Jesus the Ultimate Leader. The only question is this: Are you willing to follow Him in the right order – starting today?  

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.