YWAM Regional Teams

This is particularly for regional directors, yet we all need to recall our past decisions and perspectives about regional leadership teams.

A Family Meeting
Defining ourselves as a "family of ministries" was a significant step in understanding the way YWAM functions. Regional teams were seen as a strategic meeting point and a place where there would be "room at the table" for all ministries representing the total vision. We saw that this would be where leaders of transnational ministries would relate to geographic leaders. It should be the gathering when we would see an integration of the whole ministry of Christ focused on the coming of his kingdom. Regional leaders would make sure there is a "level playing field" and that the whole work in the region is well represented. My own conviction is that every sizeable activity in ministry should be there. Even if the work of that ministry might still be small, a leader could be brought in first as an observer.

This also means that our regional teams will truly represent the make-up of YWAM so that there is a clear presence of youth, women, people of western and non-western origins, as well as leaders who have various strengths and gifts. We must be visionary-led, yet the wholeness of Jesus' gifts should be there.

Embracing the Whole Vision
This has been a core part of our being since the founders were led to begin YWAM back in 1960. As we have been led by the Lord, the actualization of world vision has increased enormously. Regional teams are ideally composed of leaders who can embrace all that we have heard from God during the past 5 decades. We should never hear it said "that (ministry) is not a part of our vision here!" Our God-given DNA reaches into every fibre and cell of what the Lord wants to do among the people of this planet. Of course there will be strategic priorities in many regions, particularly on the frontiers.

My belief after serving three decades in Africa is that it is only the presentation and implementation of the whole mandate of missions which has a lasting effect. There needs to be an impact on both culture and society, what Alphonse Rwiririza used to call "substantial redemption". I know this can be controversial but we have to walk our way through it if 4K is to be pursued realistically.

Servant Leadership
Any group of leaders who meet in the same room face the danger of pooling their authority and maybe abusing it. A regional team is a laboratory of learning how to lead like Jesus. We have to "take the lead" and yet do it from a lifestyle that reflects a Christ-like attitude towards people, particularly the ones we are leading. There is no place for an "us and them" mentality. Dictatorial attitudes are exposed in our words so we should guard our talk.

Caring and Accountability
I'm often shocked by how much meeting time is absorbed by items like reports and decision-making and handling problem issues (which are important). Often there are too few hours devoted to intercession and praying for each other. Regional team meetings were always a place where you could open your heart to others, be accountable for your leadership life and even personal life. We must model this for the rest of the family of YWAM. Caring and accountability are major factors in team-building from a biblical perspective.

Eldership
We recall how this came to be renewed among us through Loren's word from the Lord a few years ago. Personally, I have been more encouraged in recent years to see first hand how leaders are taking loving steps to look into issues and even bring correction. Yet, our experience in Team3 shows that there are many unresolved difficult situations within the YWAM family around the world. They become a global problem when regional leadership fails to properly exercise loving and gracious eldership. The ways of God we have been taught include fervent intercession, unconditional love and commitment, scrupulous righteousness, unreserved humility, undivided commitment to Christ's kingdom, and a loyalty to Jesus that supersedes any other loyalty. We will not survive well if we allow the cancers of division to exist among us.

Consensus through hearing God's Voice
In my early experiences of team meetings it felt like we spent lots of time listening to God. Then we'd go around the room hearing what each leader heard. That's how decisions were made. We are so big now and there is always so much "business" to get through. Regional directors or chairpersons MUST prioritize a prayer style that includes hearing God's voice; it is foundational to our very being as God made us.