Every church’s struggle to grow is contingent upon the leadership team that supports its growth. Without well placed individuals in key roles of support and leadership within the church, its ability to maintain its current and future growth is crippled. A pastor and leadership team’s task of finding and placing new leadership within the framework of the church is a constant challenge which should never be neglected. Our eyes must constantly be on the horizon of new converts, searching for and expecting to see that next great leader whom the church can benefit by.
Before we get started choosing the next potential leader of some department or ministry in our church, we need to ask ourselves a few questions.
1. Do we believe that God genuinely sent this person to our church and that they are here for the purpose of helping us raise up a great church in our community?
Unless we are convinced that this person is sent from God, we will be quick to disallow them. We must corporately believe that God has sent this person to us for the purpose of building His church. When this is our shared conviction, our expectation will be higher and our level of grace and support to this person will be much greater.
2. Does this person share the same vision for the church as the Pastor and the Leadership Team?
No matter how great a person this potential leader may be, if they do not have the same goals and share the same corporate vision as the Pastor and leadership team, there will always be conflicting interests and a struggle to come to a conclusion in the decisions that are made. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3
3. Has this person shown that they can be dependable?
Whether it’s their attendance, their finances or their relationships, one of the most basic qualities that a leader should have is to be faithful. One can be taught the different administrative activities of leadership, but being faithful and loyal is a reflection of character.
4. Am I willing to set aside the time that is needed to mentor and raise this person up as a leader in the church?
Serving in the church is different than working a job somewhere. Even most corporations have a mandatory training time for its new employees. Serving in the church is usually more complex than working on a job where systems and management hierarchy mandates a worker’s role and responsibilities. In the church, servant leadership must be taught and embraced. This form of leadership is usually a new way of thinking for new leaders in the church. Jesus taught the disciples many things, but what he exemplified to them constantly was Servant Leadership.
5. Are the other leaders in the church willing to accept this new person as a vital part of “the team”?
Petty jealousies will undermine your desire to grow a leadership team. They will also abort a new leader in the church quicker than anything else. The needs of ministry within the church are too great and vast for there to be room for petty jealousies. If a person’s character is so low that they would be jealous of a new member of the team, then they should be removed. The servant leadership team rejoices when others succeed. Jealousy should never be a spirit we would allow our team members to embrace. It’s the same spirit that got Satan kicked out of Heaven.
6. Are we willing to permit this person freedom to allow their giftedness to operate in their area of ministry?
If God genuinely brought this person to your church to help you build that church, it must have been for a very good reason. God must see something in this person that you need on your ministry team. God will not give you what you already have. God gives you what you don’t yet have. For this reason, it’s imperative to appreciate the uniqueness and giftedness of each new member of the team.
7. Have we honestly explained to the person the sacrifice of their time that is going to be needed?
This one area is usually the reason most people drop out of service in the church. All the excitement and willingness to serve is soon forgotten when the time commitment is realized. It’s best to honestly and completely explain this to the person before they make their commitment to serve.
8. Are we willing to let this person get all the credit for what we are enabling them to do?
It’s your vision. It’s your plan. You invited them to come. But, they should get all the credit. In the church, the only reward one will receive most often for their sacrifice is the simple “Thank You”. When you give a person credit for the work they do, you encourage them to give and do more. If you take the credit for the work that they are doing, you rob them of the encouragement they need. Are you big enough to give other people the credit for what you put together? I hope so.
9. Are we willing to let them make mistakes and are we committed to undergirding them when they do with our support and love?
People make mistakes. You might as well prepare yourself for these times. Our only response at other leader’s mistakes should be to support and encourage them. When members of your leadership team make mistakes, forgiveness and love should permeate from the rest of the team to enable that person to heal and move forward. Most mistakes can be overcome by admitting to them when they happen and everyone else forgiving them.
10. Are we committed to their success?
When we realize that another person’s success determines our own, we are on our way to doing great things for God. When you succeed, I succeed, should be our motto of any leadership team. We are not individuals working toward our own personal accomplishments, but we are individuals working together, toward a corporate success. Your achievement is our achievement!
