Jesus modeled a way of life centered around three relationships: with God, with fellow believers, and with people who do not yet know God. We see this clearly in Luke 6:12-19. Jesus spends time with God the Father, calls the disciples, and ministers among the crowd to those far from God and in need of healing and forgiveness.

In PLI training, we refer to these three relationships Jesus models as our UP, IN, and OUT relationships: UP with God, IN with fellow believers, and OUT with those who do not yet know Christ.

It’s a simple idea. It’s just not easy to live out.

Yet, this is the life Jesus invites us to live. The mission of God is to reconcile and restore all people to God (UP) and one another (IN) through Jesus, and to send them out to make disciples (OUT). 

A Practical Tool

PLI trainers place these three relationships on a triangle. This creates a practical and dynamic tool for leaders to reflect on their lives, leadership, and ministry. The triangle helps leaders identify areas of strength as well as growth opportunities in their relationships and ministry. Together, these relationships form what PLI calls Jesus’ Pattern of Relationships.

Over and over in training, we see ministry leaders discover they spend nearly all of their time with other Christians. However, Jesus’ leadership models something different. Jesus regularly moves toward those who are far from God. He travels from village to village sharing meals, healing the sick, listening to people, and building relationships. 

Like we said earlier, this isn’t easy to live out. It’s not that ministry leaders don’t want to engage with those who do not yet know God. In many ways, the demands of ministry dictate this reality. Worship planning, meetings, ministry events, and other church responsibilities require their attention. Often, little time or energy remains for building relationships with those who are far from Jesus. 

Tools like Jesus’ Pattern of Relationships helps leaders evaluate their relationships and empowers them to prayerfully align their lives and leadership with Jesus’ ways. When leaders’ lives reflect the ways of Jesus, they feel clarity around the calling God has given them. And their ministries and families thrive.

The Triangle in Action

Using the triangle, Godswill and Florence Chongsi, a pastor couple from Cameroon, were able to discern an imbalance they were experiencing in their lives and ministry. They then made intentional changes that continue to impact their community with the Gospel. The Chongsis realized they lacked meaningful relationships with families in their neighborhood who do not yet know Christ. By intentionally engaging their neighbors and investing in relationships with them, God is opening doors for them to share the love of Jesus. 

As followers of Jesus, we are all called to be in relationships with God, fellow believers, and those far from Jesus. When we actively follow the ways of Jesus, the Holy Spirit molds and shapes us, working powerfully through us to connect more people to Christ. 

PLI equips pastors, spouses, and ministry leaders around the globe with tools like Jesus’ Pattern of Relationships, helping them them align their lives and ministries with the mission of God. Because of their influence and leadership at the local level, they empower other believers to live this way, multiplying disciples who are connecting people to Jesus.