How to Choose Great Leaders for Your MALT

One of the things I love about YWAM is that we get to work together. Our tenth value states that we function in teams:

YWAM is called to function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We believe that a combination of complementary gifts, callings, perspectives, ministries and generations working together in unity at all levels of our mission provides wisdom and safety . Seeking God’s will and making decisions in a team context allows accountability and contributes to greater relationship, motivation, responsibility and ownership of the vision.

When we work in teams we reflect the character of God who is constantly in a team with Father, Son and Holy Spirit all working together in harmony.

In the Mission Adventures Network we’ve intentionally formed different leadership teams so we can take advantage of all the benefits of working together. As we’ve formed these teams, we’ve learned a few lessons on how to choose leaders. So as you develop a team, here are a few things to keep in mind.

GREAT MALT MEMBERS ARE GREAT YWAMERS
They understand the mission and operate in ways that reflect our values. Here are a few of the values that you can use to determine if your potential MALT member is a great YWAMer:

• Value 11 is, Exhibit Servant Leadership. YWAM is called to servant leadership as a lifestyle, rather than a leadership hierarchy. A servant leader is one who honors the gifts and callings of those under his/her care and guards their rights and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with leadership responsibilities serving those whom they lead.

The leader you want to ask to serve on your leadership team should be seen as a servant and not focussed on hierarchy, control or on status. It should be plain to you and easy for everyone to see that your leadership team members are servants first.

• Value twelve is Do First, Then Teach. YWAM is committed to doing first, then teaching. We believe that firsthand experience gives authority to our words. Godly character and a call from God are more important than an individual’s gifts, abilities and expertise.

Those that you choose to have on your team should demonstrate that they’ve already exerted leadership in Mission Adventures in their own MA ministry on their base.

• Value 13 is Be Relationship Oriented. YWAM is dedicated to being relationship-oriented in our living and working together. We desire to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open communication, rather than a dependence on structures or rules.

One of the huge benefits of working in a team is the relationships. Working together, achieving common goals, serving one another, all these things enhance relationships. I can say with certainty that some of my most satisfying and meaningful friendships have been with those that have served with me on our Mission Adventures Leadership Teams.

GREAT MALT MEMBERS ARE MATURE
It’s easy to see when a child matures into an adult. Everyone can tell that Johnny now has a deep voice and is growing a beard. In the same way, we can see when leaders have become mature. As you evaluate potential leaders, look for these marks of maturity.

Great MALT Members Understand the Core of Mission Adventures
One of the reasons you are forming a Mission Adventures Leadership Team is so that the team can pass on the values and vision of the ministry. So a great MALT member will have the ‘DNA’ of Mission Adventures in them so they can then pass it on to others. The leaders you choose should demonstrate that they understand what Mission Adventures is, how it works, and why it’s successful. They do this by modifying their ministry to fit their base and their culture, in such a way that it reflects the Mission Adventures DNA.

Great MALT Members Are Consistent
It takes a while to understand any ministry. Typically it’s a few years of running a local MA ministry before a leader is ready to operate at a MALT level. In the first year, a leader is typically just trying to figure out what MA is, and how it works. Then by the second year they can begin to innovate and make it their own.  

Great MALT Members Reproduce Other Leaders
One of the clearest marks of a leader is that they make more leaders. Your best MALT members will multiply themselves by working in a team and raising up leaders in their own MA ministry. Not only does this free them up to participate in your MALT, but it creates a talent pool that can plant new MA ministries.

So as you begin , take these things to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to guide you as you put together a Mission Adventures Leadership Team that will release a great wave of young people to the nations of the earth.