Cultivating Leaders: A Journey of Transformation for Pastors

Big Idea:

Raising up new leaders is an intentional process.

For a decade, I had the privilege of serving Christ and His church. Yet, after years of dedication, something crucial was amiss. It became evident during election seasons as the same individuals rotated in and out of leadership positions. There was a glaring absence of fresh faces, younger leaders eager to step into roles of influence within our church. The revelation struck me like a lightning bolt—I had not been intentionally developing leaders. This awakening marked the beginning of a transformative journey that spanned five years, characterized by listening, learning, and an unwavering commitment to nurture leadership within the confines of our local church.

I want to share some valuable lessons I learned along the way, with the hope that they will ignite your passion for cultivating leaders within your own congregation.

1. Don't Cling to All Authority and Leadership

One of the most profound lessons I learned was the importance of relinquishing control. I had to shift my mindset from being the sole decision-maker to empowering others to lead and make choices independently. This meant entrusting them with the authority to make decisions, even if they differed from my own preferences. In doing so, I communicated my trust in them, echoing the wisdom of Moses's father-in-law found in Exodus 18:13-27.

2. Ask for Their Best

Many individuals are held back because they fear they can't perform perfectly. I realized the significance of setting a standard of service at our church that focused on individuals doing their best within their spiritual journeys and the wisdom God was cultivating in them. It's about guiding and empowering them to make sound decisions, relying on the leading and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. By lowering the bar of leadership expectations, we made leadership accessible to a broader spectrum of individuals in our congregation.

3. Celebrate Wins

Rather than highlighting problems or failures, I discovered the power of celebrating successes. Acknowledging and rejoicing in the achievements of emerging leaders encouraged them and boosted their confidence to continue in their roles.

4. Regular Meetings for Strengthening

To further nurture these emerging leaders, I initiated regular meetings. During these gatherings, we prayed together and delved into leadership principles that directly impacted our church and ministries. These sessions served as a platform for these budding leaders to apply these principles to their roles and allowed them to seek guidance from me in a structured manner.

5. Model Christ-Like Leadership

I noticed that as we met, these emerging leaders began to observe and inquire about how I handled various situations. They were keenly watching my leadership style. This observation not only inspired me but also served as a reminder of the responsibility to model Christ-like leadership within my roles and responsibilities because they were closely observing and learning from my actions.

6. Offer Resources

Recognizing the thirst for growth in some of these leaders, I started offering recommendations and resources. I pointed them towards books to read and podcasts to listen to, nurturing their hunger for personal and spiritual development.

7. Pray for God to Develop Leaders

As a leadership team, we acknowledged the scarcity of leaders and began fervently praying for God to raise and develop leaders within our congregation. Our prayers encompassed not only their roles within the church but also their leadership within their homes, understanding the profound impact it would have on our church context.

8. Principle: You Get What You Honor!

We realized that what we honored was indicative of what was important to our congregation. By predominantly honoring longevity and gray-haired wisdom, we inadvertently communicated to emerging leaders that they were not good enough. We needed to shift our focus and start honoring those who were diligently pursuing Christ, setting an example for others to follow.

9. Be Patient

One of the most challenging lessons was embracing patience. It took five years of dedicated service before the leaders we began investing in started to take the helm. Developing leaders is an enduring process, demanding time and steadfast commitment.

10. When Developing Leaders, Look for Their Pursuit of Christ

In hindsight, I recognize that I often erred by seeking specific age groups, backgrounds, or giftedness when investing in leaders. However, I've come to understand that the key lies in investing in individuals who wholeheartedly pursue Christ. Those who live out the greatest commandments are the ones truly prepared to humbly lead people.

In conclusion, my journey of developing leaders within our local church has been marked by these invaluable lessons. My hope is that by sharing these insights, you'll be inspired and empowered to embark on your own leadership development journey. As pastors, we have the privilege and responsibility to nurture the future leaders of our congregations. If you'd like to connect and further discuss strategies for leadership development, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Together, we can continue to impact our churches and communities by cultivating a new generation of leaders who are passionate about serving Christ.