MAWL is a simple acronym: Model-Assist-Watch-Leave. It is one of the underpinning values of church planting movements. The idea is simple: with a convert who wishes to be a disciple, you model what it means to follow Jesus, discipling him or her. (There’s a bunch of stuff involved here that I won’t go into now.) Then, you Assist as the person you discipled, disciples someone else. Which means you hang back, you don’t take the lead, you let them do it, and then you help them privately when they have questions. Finally, you Watch—which means, you watch the person you disciple Assist the person he/she discipled to disciple someone else. (Get it? You’re now at the 3rd generation). Then, when the 3rd generation has successfully been completed—you leave.
Now that concept has all sorts of negative connotations in it. Especially in Asian cultures—what about the relationship? Are we just there to do a task? What about “being”? What about incarnating? What about staying in a place for a lifetime? What about…
So, when we say “leave,” we don’t mean “leave these friendships forever.” Anyone who’s on Facebook or travels thousands of miles around the world knows you don’t leave friendships. On the other hand, you’re not made to sit in one place and drink tea (or coffee) forever. Once a multigenerational church plant is thriving, it’s time to move on. Jesus moved on when he had finished in one town. So did Paul. So must you.
Here’s the trick: if you aren’t doing the M-A-W part, you can’t do the L part—which means you’re never finished. You can never move on. Other people that you might be a blessing to, might not be blessed.
If, at the beginning, you prepare people for the end, then you can both move forward—perhaps even together.
Read Also:
- Scott McKain, “What’s next for your organization?”
{ 0 comments… add one now }