MAPI as a Case Study of the tension between a Movement and an Organization
In the reflection about the difference between a movement and an organization, we indicated that the two are in profound tension with each other. Below, we offer a short case study of MAPI1, which intends simultaneously to be a movement within an organization, and also to catalyze a much larger movement, external to itself, of which it will be simply a partner or participant.
The challenge of merging a movement with an organization is to maintain the simplicity and beauty and prophetic call of the movement’s vision and values while offering flexible hands-on models of how pastoring of pastors can function. If we don’t offer models, forms and materials, we lose the ability to show the way, to be a demonstration of what we dream. Concrete steps permit others to follow easily and not get lost along the way. At the same time, if we are not careful, people might reject the vision and the values, thinking they are synonymous to the forms by which MAPI is carried out. This brings us to the need to always highlight our vision and values. While we offer several models, we communicate clearly that they are all flexible. What is not flexible or negotiable are the vision and values.
MAPI has taken on a second challenge: being a national catalyzer of a movement of the Spirit in the area of pastoring of pastors. We want God to use us to stimulate and facilitate pastoring of pastors in hundreds of denominational networks, associations and councils of pastors in all of Brazil. Our goal is “Every pastor with a Christ-like mentor; every church with healthy leadership.” This will only happen if we go beyond our MAPI “backyard” and become servants of pastors in the networks they already have in place.
As a national movement including multiple pastoring of pastors networks arises, the possibility arises of a meeting or consultation between leaders of these networks. This consultation would not have one organizing person or organization; there would have to be a group of leaders working together, as equals, creating favorable conditions for everyone to meet as equals. People would be seated at a figurative or literal round table without a head, as partners. The work would be mutual, the encouragement reciprocal. The most important fruits would not be organizational but relational, building networks and possible partnerships.
Specialized leaders: the two challenges are sufficiently different to eventually need specialized leaders for each one. The leader of the movement inside MAPI will need administrative and organizational gifts or an administrative secretary with these qualities. He will need a team committed to specific roles. The leader that catalyzes the movement outside MAPI needs diplomatic, motivational, and “selling” abilities. He needs to know how to free himself from the MAPI forms in order to really sell the vision and values.
Transition: MAPI began in 1992 with a vision of discipling pastors who, in their turn, would disciple key leaders in their churches. From 1995 on, MAPI began to work with other aspects of a healthy church. In 2000, its vision could be summarized in the theme: “Healthy pastor, healthy church, healthy city.” From 2004-2006, we entered a transition period, leaving aside a large part of the seminaries and books we had developed in order to focus on the first phrase “healthy pastor”. Our theme became: “Every pastor with a Christ-like mentor, every church with healthy leadership”. We faced the challenge of narrowing our focus, leaving aside many good things to concentrate on being excellent in one thing. It may be that we have an even greater challenge ahead: to die to ourselves and give ourselves to the Body of Christ to help so many others have success in their own pastoring of pastors networks. Some of us will be called to dedicate ourselves principally to a movement outside of MAPI, diminishing the strength of MAPI itself. Others will establish themselves in their leadership within MAPI, maintaining a reference point and models for the vision of pastors being healthy.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20, 21).
Return to the main page about catalyzing a pastoring of pastors movement or learn about levels and stages in a mentoring movement.
1 MAPI (Ministério de Apoio a Pastores e Igrejas) in Portuguese or Spanish would be translated as SMPC (Support Ministries for Pastors and Churches).
