So, as I’ve been praying and had others praying about direction for the 420 Prayer Movement, we’ve been sensing more and more that the next move is to officially become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This would involve lots of paperwork, but also forming a board of directors which would help give greater stability and accountability. I’m pretty excited about this because I fully believe in team leadership which favors more of a group decision making approach where the leader stimulates group discussion and then makes a decision based on what the group as a whole has prayerfully and strategically decided. I see great value in the collective strength of a small team that understands one another’s gifted roles and whom are actively yielding to Jesus’ lordship over their own lives and His headship over the Body of Christ.

With that said, I am highly relational when it comes to leadership. Jesus’ own life was one where He connected deeply with people. He did this with everyone, but most notably His disciples. Jesus modeled the way (John 14:6) and inspired a vision (Luke 8:1). He challenged the process (Matt 5) and enabled others to act (Luke 9:1; 10:1) while all along encouraging the heart (the Gospels). This is the leadership style I strive to emulate and model because leadership should encourage faithfulness to God and Christlike transformation. Leaders are those who encourage transformation in those that they serve. The overall component in transformational leadership must be redemption. For me, the term redemptive leadership encompasses best my philosophy of leadership. The reason I favor the term redemptive, more so than servant is because redemption assumes servanthood, but also transformation. Redemption must be integral to who a leader is and how they live. This is how I view my leadership style.

What this style of leadership emphasizes is transparency through authenticity and openness that is bold in speaking truth and life to others in love. This happens only through a consciously dependent walk with Jesus and heavy reliance on the Holy Spirit. Redemptive leaders are not interested in making others dependent on themselves; rather they seek to empower others by calling out the new thing Jesus is doing in their lives and encouraging dependency on the Holy Spirit. I lean towards team leadership with a strong emphasis on delegating tasks (authoritative) and sharing responsibilities, seeking to empower others (democratic). Within this framework, I do believe that there needs to be someone who takes the lead, but this does not necessarily mean the same person would lead every task. Gifting is important in discerning the various roles of the team members. Ideally,  the fivefold ministry of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher (Eph 4:11) would all be represented within the the 420 Prayer Movement board of directors.

So, please be praying that God would provide the funds to pay for the processing fees to become a 501(c)(3) and that He would draw those He desires to be on the 420 Prayer Movement board. Thanks & Peace, Gerry Ching.