The KALEO
Network, originally established in 2003 as the Missions Prep Network,
was developed as a strategy of the Missionary Mobilization Team of the North
American Mission Board. The Network provides Southern Baptists with a framework
for developing emerging leaders to successfully answer God’s call
to any ministry leadership role.
Just like major
league sports franchises, the KALEO Network serves as a farm system for the
next generation of Southern Baptist leadership. These emerging leaders are introduced
to networks of existing ministry leaders, coached in such a way that their
God-given uniqueness is drawn out and are empowered to step into real-world
leadership responsibilities in order to gain experience.
The KALEO Network
uses a coaching process that integrates purposeful relationships with
real-world, hands-on experience. Coaches are given a customizable process [See The Five Step Coaching Process] to systematically develop emerging leaders in the
areas of calling, character and competency. Those who have answered God’s call
to ministry are engaged in a developmental process which gives them the opportunity
to fulfill their call immediately.
The KALEO Network
brings the resources of the Southern Baptist Convention to the coaching
process. Coaches do not relate to emerging leaders in a vacuum. The
Network is comprised of the best Southern Baptists have to offer to those who
will shape the future of the denomination. The “Network” is comprised of
emerging leaders and current ministry leaders who serve in a variety
of ministry leadership roles and are willing to share from their wealth of experience.
The Online Resource
Center allows both coaches and
emerging leaders to ask others for assistance and access helpful
information provided by others within the Network.
Emerging leaders
are given the opportunity to start strong by understanding the uniqueness of
their call, establishing a plan to develop their God-given talents, abilities,
gifts, personality, and strengths, and develop a healthy (realistic) view of ministry
service.
You are now a
part of the collective IQ that seeks to assists Southern Baptists to discover,
develop, and deploy emerging ministerial leaders, developing their calling,
character and competency in order that they may effectively answer God’s call
throughout their lifetime.
There are some
basic elements of understanding that will help you walk alongside emerging
leaders on their journey. Take a moment to read through and internalize the
following philosophical platforms the coaching process is built upon.
The Five Milestones
of Ministry represents the journey of a ministerial lifetime. It
serves as the roadmap that allows emerging leaders to know where they are and
what is still ahead of them.
It is
representative of those who successfully answer God’s call no matter the field
of ministry, ministerial role, geographic location of service, or gender.
Within each phase are competencies which can be evaluated and measured. These
competencies are useful for self-evaluation, coaching, development and
performance management. They represent guideposts on the journey to answering God’s
call successfully.
Coaches will
subjectively identify where the emerging leader is in relation to the five
phases. Once that conclusion is made, the coach will walk their emerging
leaders through the remaining phases.
The Three Areas of Focus represents
the scope of the KALEO Network. The areas of (1) Networking, (2) Personal
Development, and (3) Experience become the tracks on which the KALEO Network
operates. These parameters keep coaching sessions focused.
The Four Categories of Personal Development represent the area of focus that
will preoccupy most of the coaching relationship. It encompasses behavior and
beliefs, actions and attitudes, character and calling, and every other aspect
of life. The coach and emerging leader will address issues that contributes to
the essence of the emerging leader’s being.
Since this area
of focus is so broad, the coach and emerging leader are given an assessment
tool to provide focus on areas that need to be addressed. The emerging leader
should complete the Ministerial Leadership Self Assessment. The assessment will allow the
emerging leader to answer questions designed to identify areas where the
coaching relationship can assist them to develop more fully or even master
basic skills and competencies. As the coach of an emerging leader, you will get
a copy of the results to prepare you for meetings with the emerging leader.
The KALEO Network
coaching process is not intended to be classroom based learning. The emerging
leader should be encouraged to explore and engage in as many leadership
opportunities as possible with an Acts 1:8 Experiential Mindset. The coach should guide the emerging leader
to take on challenging leadership roles that push their comfort level. The
coach should place the emerging leader in a positive situation challenging the
emerging leader to move beyond their comfort zone.
KALEO Network
coaches should consider three ways to give the emerging leader experience.
With this
philosophical foundation in place, you are ready to proceed with an emerging
leader through The Five Step Coach/Mentor Process .