Equipping Leaders

Effective leaders do four things: they cast vision, they create environments, they develop systems, and they equip leaders.

Of all these things, equipping leaders has got to be the most difficult! But, over time and with lots of blood and sweat, I’ve learned a few things I think might be worth your consideration. In my ministry as a pastor, writer, and speaker, I’m most often asked about developing other leaders (see www.thrivingchurches.com for additional resources).

How do you grow people to spiritual maturity and maximum Kingdom impact? How can we develop our leadership team to our greatest potential? In my experience, there are 5 specific practices that produce positive benefits:

Life on Life. I know of no other way to sow into a life other than doing life together. Sharing your life with those you lead will involve formal and informal times together. The journey is a combination of parenting, dating, marriage, and team sports! By the way…EVERY time I’ve had a leadership failure on my teams, it is due (at least in part) to the fact that we didn’t stay connected “life on life”

Training. One of the meanings of the Hebrew word for training is “to make narrow”. Specific skill training helps to provide skills and strategic understandings. Since vision is always more “caught” than “taught”, the process of training often provides great vision refining moments.

Benchmarking. There is great value in exposing your leadership team to greatness. Visiting other churches that are doing a great job in ministry can elevate the vision and passion of everyone on your team.

Leadership Development. Both Jim Collins and John Maxwell talk about “levels” of leadership. My experience suggests that we must teach people that leadership is a process, NOT an event. Helping people to see their leadership potential unfold over time is part of the process of effective equipping. We are working hard in our own church to provide “first serve” opportunities in every ministry and to cultivate “high capacity” leaders who can effectively lead other leaders.

Shared Experiences. Leadership equipping happens best in community. At our churches (www.lifepointnv.com and www.baysideonline.com), we have joyous histories of some amazing growth and leadership development. There have been some incredible individual moments of ministry. But the more we do ministry, the more we are committed to doing ministry together—as teams of people with shared vision and passion. So, we are structuring lots of experiences where people can have the shared experience of working together, facing challenges, cultivating vision, and deepening their relationships with Christ and one another. Leadership equipping is not a solo sport!

Effective leaders equip leaders. The fruit of that ministry produces a ripple effect that reaches the shores of heaven. The Apostle Paul was clear about that in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 when he wrote, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy”. At our church, we say “Changed Lives are Our Business”. We’ve learned over time that equipping leaders is a core technology at the heart of our business