Preparing Leaders for Oikos Church Plants By Aaron Lytle, Lead Pastor

Part of the vision of Oikos is to be a church that plants churches. I know that this will not be possible if we don’t identify, invest and allow leaders to innovate.

IDENTIFY: One of the ways we begin identifying individuals is by clarifying the calling. The best way to do this is to invite the leader to live life with us as s/he learns to listen to the Lord. This is done through living in proximity to our leaders, living on mission through one of our missional communities and learning how to disciple through one of our disciplers.

INVEST: When a leader is identified and has begun the process of clarifying the calling, Oikos then needs to invest in that individual. This occurs through many invitations of observation, reflection, discussion and participation. Ultimately, the investment may lead to preparing this leader to become a pastor. If that is the case, we use a program through Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis called SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor). Currently, we have one SMP candidate under Oikos, Frank Hart, who is currently leading our first church plant, NewChurch, in Katy, Texas.

INNOVATE: The awesomeness of identifying and investing in individuals is that there will come a time when you can fully release s/he to do what the Lord says. Often that will be something greater than you even dreamed of! When that happens, we begin to see the momentum of the Kingdom of God at work. We see lives transformed, people discipled and families formed who are on mission together. We see Oikos!