Dr. Coleman highlights Jesus’ strategy of training twelve
disciples and equipping them to lead and to share the Gospel broadly. Jesus’
master plan was to raise up a small number of leaders to lead the early church.
“One must decide where he wants his ministry to count–in the
momentary applause of the popular recognition or in the reproduction of his
life in a few chosen men who will carry on his work after he is gone. Really it
is a question of which generation we are living for.” (p 37)
Jesus did not neglect the masses. He healed them, he taught
them, and he even feed them. Yet he focused more on a small group of followers,
his disciples. Jesus cared for the masses, and he trained up a few to continue to
care for the masses after he was gone. He wisely cared for the masses into
the next generation and beyond.
As a leader, this challenges me to consider who I am
training to take my place and lead when I am gone. This is the best way to
care for my school, my students, and my community. This is an effective way to
lead, and it is effective way to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If Jesus
used this strategy, most likely it is a wise plan for us too.
