In both the podcast and the the book he talks about a document he created called “The Cubs Way”, which details how he goes about creating an intentional culture that contains much of what you mentioned…

http://podcast.cnn.com/the-axe-files-david-axelrod/episode/all/dBY8yHjBr3rgwK/35ro00.html

https://www.amazon.com/Cubs-Way-Building-Baseball-Breaking/dp/0804190011

By the way, as a Cubs fan, my mantra since Epstein arrived with the team has been “in Theo we trust”…it finally paid off this past year…

Hi James & Mike,
I reckon it’s also worth remembering too that, unlike the coach of a baseball team, we have every reason expect miraculous and rapid changes in character, thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting, enlightening etc… There are numerous examples in the Bible of this happening and I think it partly explains the rapid spread of the Gospel in many times and places across the world – those who no-one expected followed Jesus and changed the world around them (Paul is an obvious example). Clearly ongoing discipleship is a key component, but we don’t necessarily to wait years for someone to develop prowess in the way a pro baseball would before they can play in the big league…

Yeah good point. Thanks for that.

I find it strange that the college I went to (Malyon in Brisbane) didn’t have discipleship as a subject. So researching practical discipleship for myself – Neil Cole and Mike Breen have been most helpful so far.

Feel free to write a book on it 😉

I hear ya. I might have garbled that first response. I was trying to say I agree that we don’t only disciple those with an already established godly character. We should be discipling all the saints. But I do think there are minimum biblical standards for leaders. Having said that, and in response to your second comment, I should point out that I’ve known many “good upstanding church-raised folks” who are self-centered, lazy, lustful, etc, and plenty of ex cons and ex addicts who have developed a deep sense of personal character. Good comments though, bro. Very helpful.

A minimum standard of character is a tension point for me. If we aren’t discipling the ‘least of these’ (which is really, really hard – i.e. ex con, ex addict, ex dv) it seems we are focusing on internal leadership recruiting (good looking, good upbringing, good potential). Isn’t the model is just going to repeat itself?

I think I have seen that one. Madonna as a baseball player, right?

Great question. Unlike a baseball team, I guess a church grows its own disciples, which is to say the process of training the mind, passing on skills and developing character should begin with children. Having said that, I do think that you require a minimum standard of character for leadership. Those who are committed to discipling leaders/planters/pastors shouldn’t think they can just accept anyone into the journey.