Effective movement leaders and trainers are extremely focused. They carefully guard their time and priorities so they can train and disciple well. Leveraging key routines, they recognize that their time is one of their most precious resources.
The follow post is a guest post written by a colleague from South Asia. She is mentoring hundreds of disciple-makers and leaders. This article is born out of experience and filled with wisdom for us.
Goals Alone Don’t Get You There
Simply having the goal of a DMM is not enough. Many people have those kinds of dreams, but only a few ever see their vision fulfilled. Those who see goals fulfilled don’t focus only on the goals. Rather they put into place key habits that they do on a daily, weekly, and on a monthly basis. The progress they make every day may not be very big, but over time they accomplish big things.
Here are two activities you can do to better steward your time.
1. Do a Time Audit
List all the activities you are involved in. You may have to document your daily routine for a week or two to have a clear picture of how you “actually” spend your time. Many times, we overestimate how much time we are productive, and underestimate how much time we waste. If you want this to be meaningful, be honest with yourself.
Then, look over all your activities. Ask yourself:
- What activities do you want to stop doing?
- · What activities do you want to continue to do?
- · Thinking about DMMs, what activities do you want to start doing?
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5: 15-16
2. Set Routines
Instead of using time for planning each day, you can pre-set some routines, so you will be sure to invest time and energy in the right actions. If you do these routines consistently, they will become habits. Below are some sample routines that can help you grow as a DMM practitioner.
Choose 2-3 to start with. As you grow you can add more.
Daily DMM Routines
- Daily pray for the lost and saved
- Daily abide in Jesus: Scriptures and Prayer
- Daily go out to make disciples: Evangelism and follow up
- Daily connect with at least one of your disciples/ leaders by phone
Weekly DMM Routines
- Every Monday, meet with your leadership team.
- Every Tuesday, visit a new location with a new disciple so you can practice MAWL (Model, Assist, Watch and Leave)
- Every Wednesday, do your bi-weekly routines: e.g., coaching your disciples or meeting your mentor or coach.
- Every Thursday, study DMMs in Scripture.
- Every Friday, fast and pray for the work.
- Every Saturday, take a one-day sabbath and rest.
Bi-Weekly DMM Routines
Meet with your trainees for discipleship. Coach them at least once in 2 weeks.
Monthly DMM Routines
- Take a day to have an extended time of prayer for your team, your leaders, the needs in your movement, etc.
- Meet with your mentor or coach.
- Visit key leaders in their location.
Quarterly DMM Routines
- Review your quarterly goals and set new goals.
- Review your routines and make any needed changes or revisions.
What DMM routines do you already have well established?
Which of the above ideas do you plan to apply this coming week?
Let us know in the comments below or on the DMMs Frontier Missions Facebook group.
*the above blog post was written by guest author B.S.
