Observations from the diagram. 1) Multiple chains can be started by the same leader 2) Each generation or “link” in the chain carries a level of multiplication. This is the truth of Church Planting Movements. Generational links multiply, adding your own Timothies is merely addition. 3) Faithful men and women are needed to continue the chain 4) Others? Families are organized in this same fashion. Parents become grandparents when the third generation is born. Generation growth is the key to multiplication! God has ordered the kingdom in a similar way. As Paul commissioned Timothy to the task of reproduction he had in mind spiritual grandchildren also capable of reproduction. This vision must drive our plans for leadership multiplication. Organizing a Mentorship Ministry The nature of a mentor‟s assignment demands reproduction of leaders on every level of the Mark 4 plan. Expanding the ministry to new and otherwise unreached areas demands the development of new entry teams capable of penetrating darkness as well as faithful sowers capable of saturating the field with the seed (Field 1-2). Anchoring the ministry demands multiplication of disciple makers and church planters who are capable of adding roots to the newly established churches (Field 3-4). Mentorship of such leaders is a time intensive process requiring multiple contacts and by its nature must continue for months or years. Within a multiplying ministry these tasks quickly outgrow the abilities of the “Paul” mentor. How will the “Paul” mentor facilitate the needed small group mentorship capable of keeping up with multiplication? The Timothy Group is the Answer. Definition – “Timothy” – A leader who is willing and capable of receiving and passing on the core elements of church planting strategy leading to development of leadership chains. Definition – “Timothy Group” – A group of disciple makers committed to a “Paul and Timothy” relationship in which responsibilities are past through a discipleship chain to the edge of the network. Facilitating Timothy Groups Paul instructed Timothy to search out those capable of mentoring others within his pattern, but doing so raises several important areas of consideration (2 Timothy 1:13/2:2). Managing Timothy groups demands answers to three key questions: 1) How do we mentor our Timothies?
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