"Developing Effective Church Leaders" - By Apostle Martin Wilson

by Apostle Martin Wilson



 

 I based this definition on Dr. John C. Maxwell's book, The Leader's Greatest Return. According to this book, church leaders' success is defined as maximizing the abilities of those working with them. This is achieved by helping people reach their potential, develop as leaders, and maximize their abilities. To develop good church leaders, it is important to understand what good leadership entails. Leadership experts and authors James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner point out that preconceived notions about leadership can create confusion about who is and who is not a leader. The first step in developing effective church leaders is identifying potential leaders.

Identifying Potential Leaders

John C. Maxwell asserts that for a leader who develops other leaders, the ability to recognize ability is something even more important and rarer than ability itself. Identifying potential leaders is a primary responsibility of any successful church leader. To do so, you must know what to look for in potential leaders so that when you see them, you can recognize them. As Dr. Maxwell states, each person you bring onto your team will either make you better or worse. Therefore, making the right people decisions is the ultimate means of controlling an organization successfully, as Peter Drucker has noted. People decisions cannot be hidden; they are highly visible, and when we make incorrect choices, everyone will know.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos once said, "I'd rather interview 50 people and not hire anyone than to hire the wrong person." As church leaders, we need to follow this principle and be selective when putting people in leadership positions. We shouldn't just fill seats on the bus. When leaders and pastors make poor people decisions, they risk more than just poor performance. They risk losing the respect of those they lead.

What to know About Promoting Leaders

As a church leader, it is important to make wise choices when promoting people to leadership positions. Failure to do so can lead to a breakdown in trust and communication between leaders and their followers, ultimately impeding progress and success. Therefore, it is essential for church leaders to act with transparency, authenticity, and a commitment to ethical behavior. This includes being honest about mistakes and taking responsibility for them, as well as being willing to listen to feedback and make necessary changes. By doing so, church leaders can not only maintain the respect of their followers, but also build stronger, more effective teams that are better equipped to achieve their goals. Remember that developing effective church leaders is essential for the success of any church, and the key to doing so is recognizing potential leaders and serving their needs.

Developing Leaders

Once potential leaders have been identified, the next step is to develop them. To do this, you must have a clear understanding of their needs. Dr. Maxwell says that every leader must be a servant first. When leaders understand the needs of their followers, they can better serve them and help them to develop as leaders.

Servant leadership is a philosophy that emphasizes serving others, putting their needs first, and helping them develop and perform to the best of their abilities. This approach involves listening to others, providing support and guidance, and creating an environment in which everyone can succeed. Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their team members over their own needs and work to enable the success of others. It is important for this philosophy to be demonstrated from the top down throughout the organization.

Conclusion

Developing effective church leaders is essential for the success of any church. By understanding what makes a good leader and identifying potential leaders, you can create a culture of leadership development in your church community. Remember that the ability to recognize ability is the key to developing effective church leaders.

  1. What is your definition of good leadership?
  2. How do you currently identify potential leaders in your church community?
  3. In what ways can you incorporate the philosophy of servant leadership into your leadership style?
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