What an interconnected world we live in!
This Thursday we begin the first session of a 16-week leadership development journey. My colleague Lisa and I are thankful to be facilitating alongside 12 mentor-coaches who represent many regions and time zones (shown with the blue markers below). We will also be joined by 25 participants from diverse parts of the world and across multiple time zones (represented by the pink push pins). The connecting lines offer a glimpse into each person’s story—highlighting where they previously lived and giving an approximate sense of where they are currently living or serving.
But how can all of us join online for 16 weeks across 18 time zones! Some people will be meeting at very uncomfortable times!
We have intentionally innovated to create something that feels kind to those from either end of our global clock and still supports the real-time connection of our Fellowship striving to stay connected when so much around us pulls us apart. It is too easy to define each other by our differences – instead of valuing the unity in diversity that we share.
How will we stay connected?
- 6 sessions of global all-in sessions
- 6 sessions of regional cohorts (some people will meet at 8 am SG and others will meet at 8 pm SG)
- 3 asynchronous check-ins for participants and mentor-coaches
- and 1 precious voice check in for each participant and a mentor-coach.
Why go to all this effort?
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
As we begin this journey, questions naturally arise:
- Will this process work well?
- Will we stay meaningfully connected throughout the course?
- Will each person continue to grow as leaders who walk with honorable character, cultivate life‑giving relationships, and faithfully carry out meaningful responsibilities?
We will know better in 16 weeks! We treasure your prayers as we work towards this goal…
so that leaders journey with others while they intentionally grow in character, relationships, and tasks.