Go and make disciples Matthew 28:19 of all nations Training Up Leaders For Ministry
Ministry Leadership Institute Greg R. Schmill MLI President gschmill@nextdisciple.com 920.323.0440 From Our President In just a short time, Ministry Leadership Institute has gone from a dream to a reality, from the dream of fulfilling a key ministry leadership need to the reality of regularly providing onsite and online training and support for WELS pastors, principals, and leadership teams. MLI was formed in response to our Lord s great commission in Matthew 28, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." It is with that Matthew 28 purpose in mind that MLI strives to "be like faithful Aaron, holding up the prophet s hands" holding up the hands of those directly carrying out the commission through our country and the world. And not only holding up the prophet s hands, but placing into these hands specific tools to help carry out powerful gospel ministry tools that help handle the complexities of carrying out the Great Commission tools to help build strong leadership teams and plan and focus ministry efforts. As we view MLI s brief history and anticipate all the ways the Lord will use MLI in the future, we give thanks to him for his great blessings! And we thank those who partner with us in assisting ministry leaders as they carry out the great commission both near and far! 1
The MLI Mission: To help WELS ministries with their Matthew 28 purpose through growth in leadership abilities, approaches, and attitudes The MLI Vision: Through Spirit-guided leadership development efforts, centered on Christ, MLI will help develop leadership abilities, approaches, and attitudes, while providing vital tools for the leader's ministry toolbox. Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 2
Ministry Leadership Institute The Five Pillars of MLI Gospel focus and motivation Connecting the right tools, resources, and people Targeted prework Time during instruction to work with current ministry issues Ongoing coaching and support 3
Core Three-Part Process 1. Understand your strengths: StrengthsFinder consultations & coaching Individual and team consultations On-going support 2. Build a Christ-centered leadership team Build a foundation of trust Grow through positive conflict Construct commitment Build in accountability Focus on and measure results 3. Build key strategies and moving them forward Develop a strategic plan Prioritize key actionable steps Build in traction Three-Part Process Presenters/Facilitators Dr. Scott Gostchock Mr. Greg Schmill Pastor Elton Stroh 4
Ministry Leadership Institute Additional MLI Modules Leading transformationally Leadership review process (360 degree) Leadership coaching High performance team assessment Needs-based modules: MLI will work with a team to identify the ministry s needs, and then design leadership-related training and coaching to best meet those needs. In the planning stage: Leadership and life coaching for principals Please see the website for more information: ministryleadershipinstitute.com "Mission team meetings have gone from frustrating and discouraging to highlights of the week. That's a big deal." Pastor Mike Hartman 5
MLI Scriptural Focus Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 20:28...Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Romans 12:8...If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in chage of many things..." "I am very pleased with how the meetings are going and the unity of the team." Pastor Philip Strackbein 6
Ministry Leadership Institute Groups Served and Serving Multi-Language Publications Board for World Missions Latin American Missions Team Europe Missions Team East Asia Missions Team Commission on Lutheran Schools Leadership Candidate Training program Special Ministries & the Military Services Committee Various congregation leadership teams Lutheran high school leadership teams Lutheran Elementary School faculties Home and World Missions Staff CrossTrain pastor individuals and groups Serving leadership teams on four continents Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 7
MLI Teams With and to support pastor coaching and a church/school consulting ministry. Some of the conferences take place at the Grace in Action (GIA) retreat center in western Wisconsin. 8
Ministry Leadership Institute Mark A. Wrightsman Chairman and Co-Founder, GIA From Our Chairman Since its inception, Grace in Action Ministry has sought to develop innovative leadership ministries which augment the work of so many dedicated people who share God s Word. In our churches, missions, and other worldwide ministries, the Word is taught and preached by capable, doctrinally trained, dedicated servants. The founders endeavored to provide resources to meet identified needs for helping ministers be good stewards of all of their God-given resources. Initially, GIA supported CrossTrain Ministries and Crossroads Consulting Ministry. Feedback was gathered from pastors, educators, and lay people revolving around additional opportunities to serve in leadership beyond what was being done by CrossTrain and Crossroads. This input resulted in a plan for stronger ministry team leadership development, and programs for further training for individual leaders. Following significant input and feedback the Ministry Leadership Institute was born. The board of GIA was selected with a few criteria. First, the board member would have strong leadership experience, either in a secular or ministry role. Second, the board member must have significant experience applying leadership to ministries. These criteria have enabled each of the board members to play an active role in the GIA and MLI ministry efforts. Please join me in praying for all of God s ministries and particularly for the MLI team dedicated to supporting the arms of our ministry leaders and their teams. 9
Testimonials MLI helped us analyze ourselves as individuals and as an organization; they helped us see our weaknesses and our strengths; they provided methods and means to move forward. They showed us how to lay out plans, and they promised to stand by us as we further develop and implement those plans. Pastor Phil Koelpin, Multi-Language Publications Asking which part of the MLI team training event was least helpful/useful is like asking which diamond is least valuable. Pastor Howie Mohlke, BWM "The team at MLI worked with our Administrative Leadership Team to help us identify our individual and group strengths. They also counseled us about areas of potential friction. This information was incredibly valuable to explore during times of ministry calm so that in times of stress we will be able to perform at the highest and most productive level possible." David Schroeder, Principal Winnebago Lutheran Academy I ve been through many personality tests (Myers-Briggs, DISC, animals, etc.) over the years at AT&T and through church organizations. Strength Finders with a group interpretation by Scott Gostchock of GIA has been the most useful. This coupled with MLI's strategic planning tools will be a blessing to the BWM. Danny Wehmeyer, Vice-Chairman, WELS Board for World Missions. 10
Ministry Leadership Institute An Invitation The importance of TEAM is core to Grace in Action and the Ministry Leadership Institute! We invite you to join our team by being part of the training and coaching - and also by providing prayers and financial support. Our funding comes through various means - gifts, grants, and fees. Specific financial support comes from the board, team member partners, and other individual donors. We look forward to having you as part of the team! "Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God!" (II Corinthians 9:11) MLI is a Grace in Action ministry. Grace in Action is a Bible-based innovative ministry dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus with all people by holding up the prophet's arms through coaching, consulting, leadership training, and providing ministry resources. Greg R. Schmill, MLI President ministryleadershipinstitute.com gschmill@nextdisciple.com 920.323.0440 Dr. Scott Gostchock, GIA Director nextdisciple.com sgost@mindspring.com 414.250.3248