LEADERSHIP

It is important this leadership role is one with sustained continuity, in contrast with annually rotating leadership.

The leader builds community with a team which, like him or her, values relationship, trust in the unique gifts and strengths of each member and enjoys both their work and deep friendships shared in the team. In my experience, this team shares a couple 48 hour retreats twice a year during which there is time for relaxed meals, an evening out, refreshment, prayer, planning and sharing life, standing together in the challenges and a deep sense of the Lord's presence and direction. This kind of community doesn't develop in a fortnight but is productive and stands the text of time.

The national leadership team is best drawn from representation of a few of the larger organizations in the nation, though leaders of smaller organizations can find more time to build specific needed supporting components of the national strategy. Often there is value to both a smaller operational team which meets 4 to 10 times a year and a larger guardian-of-the-vision team which may meet only once or twice a year to hear updates, pray and help with problem solving, serving also as a sort of fishing pool from which new operational team members may emerge.

The leadership team is responsible for the missional components NC2P calls gathering places, strategic information and systems for mission, though these components may come in no necessary order and the team may not produce them personally. Often sub-teams sharing the vision will take on specific tasks or entire components.