Effective Christian Leadership (8) Developing Emerging Leaders Chapter 6

Opening Questions How did you wind up becoming a leader? What was the most determining influence of your leadership development?

Facts About Healthy Churches NCD (natural church develop-ment) has found that churches which empower leaders are healthy and grow in a healthy way. From Christian Schwarz, Natural Church Development: A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of a Healthy Church, ChurchSmart Resources, 1996.

When Are Christian Leaders At Their Best? When leaders are really leading When leaders exhibit godly character When leaders are working in tandem with God When leaders are raising up other leaders around them “. . . some to be pastors and teachers to prepare [equip] God’s people for works of service . . .” (Ephesians 4:12) Creating a “leadership culture”

What Is Effective Christian Leadership? “Effective leadership begins with an intimate relationship with God, resulting in Christlike character and a clear sense of God’s calling for leader’s lives. As this base of spiritual maturity increases, effective leaders multiply, guide, empower and equip disciples to realize their full potential in Christ and work together to accomplish God’s vision.” --Logan & Clegg, Releasing Your Church’s Potential

The Truth About Effective Leaders* Your Christian walk and ministry has been shaped by those who model ministry for you Modeling transforms only as it flows out of intimacy with God People are pastor/leader watchers: whatever they see you doing is what is important “The sermon [or lesson] that impacts is the one that you live.” *From Logan and Clegg, Releasing Your Church’s Potential, p2-6.

Developing A Church-Wide “Leadership Culture” Stress the biblical principle that the priority of leadership is to equip others to do ministry Believe that our ministries will only grow as “deep as the depth of our leadership and only as broad as the breadth of our leadership” (Logan, 2-11)

Developing A Church-Wide “Leadership Culture” Cultivate a healthy atmosphere for mobilizing and empowering Expect to raise up leaders! Apply the equation A2C = Two parts affirmation to one part change Believe in people Give permission to do Give freedom to fail Affirm for trying

Developing A Church-Wide “Leadership Culture” Identify potential leaders Design entry-level opportunities to lead Develop an “apprenticing” system Use teams to do ministry Prevents feelings of isolation Provides a place for mutual learning Allows each person to use their gifts Trains people to work in cooperation with others

Developing Leaders For Your Ministry Spotting Investing Risking Evaluating

Spotting An Emerging Leader Use Jesus’ method Carefully Prayerfully Intentionally

Spotting An Emerging Leader Look for certain character qualities Found in 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Galatians 5:22, 23 A sincere walk with God Yieldedness to Holy Spirit Commitment to authority of God’s Word

Spotting An Emerging Leader Look for certain people skills Sensitivity to thoughts and feelings of others Ability to listen Shows genuine care “Winsomeness”

Spotting An Emerging Leader Look for certain personality traits Action-oriented person Comfortable taking initiative Remember 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Mental quickness” “Church-smart” Ability to sift through information to key pieces Eager curiosity – “intellectual elasticity” to learn and grow over the long haul

Spotting An Emerging Leader Draft your own “top 5” quality list List possible names looking for Giftedness Character rather than “standing” Obedience rather than knowledge Willingness to learn rather than experience Availability

Investing In An Emerging Leader “Apprenticing” them Be “with them” Mark 3:14 Observe them in action regularly Celebrate small wins Give specific, positive affirmation Highlight one key area for improvement Provide training

Investing In An Emerging Leader Coach them effectively Listen empathetically; care personally Celebrate progress Ask probing questions Promotes reflection and refocusing Focus on both ministry and personal development Take advantage of “teachable” moments Seek God’s agenda

Investing In An Emerging Leader “For emerging leaders to become seasoned, wise, and effective leaders, they need proximity to and interaction with veteran leaders. This can happen in a dozen different ways, but it must happen. . . . There is no substitute for personal investment.” (Hybels, p. 132)

Risking It With Emerging Leaders Entrust emerging leaders with key responsibilities Give important responsibilities May need to give up some of our choice tasks May need to deal with personal security issues here Team them up with others Find a sponsor, if needed

Risking It With Emerging Leaders Use the “Show-How” method of training I do—you watch I do—you help You do—I help You do—I watch You do—someone else watches

Evaluating Emerging Leaders Set up regular evaluation times Meeting agenda How are you doing personally? Progress on current projects Encouragement for positive achievement Discover current needs/priorities Ask appropriate questions to determine next steps Agree and write down assignments Pray with and for him/her

Evaluating Emerging Leaders Set up special evaluation times Personal crisis Ministry challenges/obstacles Use “failure” as a teachable moment

Your Turn Q&A

Next Time: Discovering and Developing Your Own Leadership Style “The Key To High Impact Leading” (Chapter 7)