When raising our four children, we faced the challenge of consistent training and discipline while recognizing their unique ages and temperaments. Consider how tying shoes and learning to read - though unrelated skills - typically develop around the same age. We wouldn't expect our toddler in diapers to match their older siblings' abilities in reading or fine motor skills like shoe-tying.
Fortunately, we received valuable guidance from family and peers who helped us understand age-appropriate expectations for each child. These intuitive guidelines helped us navigate the question of "What to do at this age?" as we supported each child's individual development journey.
Like parents, MTM leaders often struggle to know what they should focus on at different stages of their ministry. When should they start groups? When should they upgrade their reporting system? While coaches can help, leaders need a clear roadmap that guides their strategy while keeping what makes their ministry special.
My wife Linda created a helpful tool shaped like a wheel after talking with many MTM coaches. Think of it as a map that shows leaders where they are now and what typically comes next, based on what worked well for other ministry leaders.
The wheel works like steppingstones - starting with simple steps in the middle and moving to more complex activities on the outer edges. The goal is not to always move from simple to complex, most teams remain in the middle areas of the stages due to context. Yet a team may develop strategy goals but sometimes God has other plans. One team in South Asia saw their three-month goals happen in just three weeks when their message went viral online. They had to quickly adjust to handle this unexpected growth.
This model is flexible. No two teams grow the same way - there are too many different factors, including God's timing (Proverbs 16:9). Take the example of Peter in Acts 2 - he didn't plan to start a people movement one day, but God did. So, he adapted an innovative discipleship strategy by using house fellowships.
While this guide can help you see what steps usually come next, having a coach is still important. They can help you figure out how these steps work best in your unique situation. The MTM team is here to support you on your journey as you follow God's calling for your ministry.
