We’ve all been there…“If only I had more leaders!” We lament that we don’t have the help we need, and if we only had more leaders in our ministry, then things would be just fine.
I want to offer a simple challenge to you:
The leaders you need are already in your ministry.
This may seem hard to grasp because you know their stories, and perhaps you’ve tried to utilize them in the past only to be let down or have it go off the rails.
Forget the past; focus on the present.
The leaders you need are already in your ministry.
Let’s start with a few key principles:
- Leadership can be developed. If you believe that leadership is only a gift, I’m afraid you’ve dismissed 3/4s of the population. The truth is that leadership is a skill that can be developed. You can learn leadership skills and principles even if you don’t consider yourself a natural leader.
- Leadership is influence. You know this John Maxwell quote so well that you may forget its power. Anyone who seeks to influence is exhibiting leadership. Sharing something on social media? Offering feedback on something? Encouraging someone? These are all small ways to influence and thus lead someone.
- Leadership adds value to others. When we think of leadership, we think of responsibility or direction or accountability. True leaders add value to others and help them be the best versions of themselves. Leaders love people and see to it that they are equipped and developed to take on the challenges that face them.
If you understand these leadership principles, recognizing and nurturing leadership potential in others becomes second nature.
As leaders, here are some steps we can take to put this into action:
- Constantly ask for feedback. For everything you do, seek feedback. Pay attention to the ones who are vocal. Don’t be discouraged by criticism. Instead, ask, “What do you think we should try next time?” (Proverbs 15:22)
- Encourage the encouragers to keep encouraging. If you see someone who is an encourager, keep encouraging them to encourage others (Hebrews 10:24-25). Leaders who are influencers can influence others by encouraging them. The more “Barnabases’” you have in the group, the better (Acts 4:36-37).
- Give away your responsibility. It’s easy to fall into the trap of, “Well, I’m the leader, I guess I have to do it.” Instead, take every opportunity to hand off your responsibility to someone else. If someone else can pray, let them. If someone else can give announcements, let them. If someone else can offer a word of encouragement, let them (see Romans 12:4-8). Get as many voices operating as possible. Doing this will cultivate a “step up” culture, where others feel that they need to step up. This is a good thing.
Think about the people in your ministry right now; who could you begin to add value to and help develop as a leader?
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