Churches that have a vision to cultivate leaders demonstrate four keys to spot, train and mobilize leaders. If you are having success in this area, assess how you are doing in these four areas. If you are new to the idea of developing leaders, identify the area(s) where you need to begin and get to work! Here are the four areas that churches cultivate in order to develop leaders:
Clearly defined pathway and outcomes
Specific skill assessment and training
Robust coaching system
Community to cultivate relationships
Clearly defined pathway with outcomes
Every journey needs a map. To cultivate leaders, it is healthy for everyone to know the steps involved and for each individual to understand where they are at any given time. Think back to your journey.
Coaching is a relationship with the purpose of cultivating leaders.
What did the person who came alongside you do to support you in your development?
How has this shaped your approach to developing leaders?
What do you actually do to cultivate leaders?
In this article, we have outlined the five best ways to develop coaches – and to grow as a coach in the process. A great place to get started is to read Christian Coaching Essentials. One of the most critical things a Christian coach does is help people listen and respond to the Holy Spirit. You will find QR codes embedded in the book to help you go deeper into the key aspects of becoming an excellent coach.
Community to cultivate relationships
This environment prioritizes leadership development for your people. Think of it as the engine for the other three above!
Coaching keeps leaders engaged.
Skill assessment and training offer strategic focus.
A pathway serves as a map to follow.
The environment sustains leaders from one step to the next, one generation to the next.
If you are interested in learning more about how InFocus can help you develop your leadership development process – CLICK HERE!
Survey says….
As you know, InFocus empowers leaders to navigate complex issues of ministry to multiply disciples, cultivate leaders, and plant churches. The way we do that is coaching, training and consulting. Do us a favor and let us know how we can best service you in 2024. Your voice matters. As we plan out how to best come alongside you in your ministry, we want to hear from the person who matters most—you. You know your ministry. You know your skill sets and goals. Take a minute or two to complete this SHORT SURVEY to let us know how we can laser-focus on what you need most in 2024. Your response will directly impact what you get from us this year.
Looking ahead at 2024, you are probably thinking about the bigger picture. You know your ministry doesn’t stop with you. It trickles down not only to those you lead, but to those they lead, and to those they lead.
Effective leadership has the potential for maximum impact. You want to see your teams and ministries flourish, thrive, and expand. You want to see disciples and leaders made and multiplied. You want to see the Kingdom coming closer with each step forward they take in their plans.
That’s what those you are leading want too. They’re looking for clarity and direction. They’re looking for practical, strategic ways of doing ministry better and smarter. They’re looking for customized solutions and top-notch guidance. So how can you stand ready to provide the most helpful guidance you can?
Consider your ministries’ specific needs
What challenges are you facing now? What issues are you likely to be facing throughout this next year. So what are the issues you are facing? Think it through: do you need help knowing how to develop leaders? How to make disciples? How to multiply your ministries? How to deal with conflicts? How to get others on board with the vision? How to navigate leadership transitions? You’ll want to pre-think some of the most common needs your ministry will face this coming year so you can lead through the issues in the most effective and healthy possible ways.
Reflect on your own skill base
Given the demands of your ministry, what will be required from you? Brainstorming help? Strategic planning strategies? Help casting vision? Determine which skills you’ll most need to grow in to help you sharpen your leadership in the new year.
Plan ahead to expand your ministry influence
In addition to identifying your needs and sharpening your own skill set in 2024, you’ll want to take a wider view of your own ministry. How can you expand your ministries’ influence, be more effective, and go deeper? How can you target the influence and impact of your ministry so it grows and you’re in a stronger position to help more people? How can you know that your efforts are resulting in more life change, transformation, and the extension of God’s Kingdom?
Survey says….
As you know, InFocus empowers leaders to navigate complex issues of ministry to multiply disciples, cultivate leaders, and plant churches. The way we do that is coaching, training and consulting. Do us a favor and let us know how we can best service you in 2024.
Your voice matters. As we plan out how to best come alongside you in your ministry, we want to hear from the person who matters most—you. You know your ministry. You know your skill sets and goals. Take a minute or two to complete this SHORT SURVEY to let us know how we can laser-focus on what you need most in 2024. Your response will directly impact what you get from us this year.
Take a look at the following list. Why do you think these blogs were the most viewed? Which topic resonated most with you? In true New Year’s Eve style, we are counting down to the #1 blog of the year…
10. Avoiding Burnout as a Leader Where do you go when you are reaching your limit? What happens when you ignore your margins? Every single leader on the planet needs a refresher now and then.
9. Christian Coaching Essentials RELEASE This post being in the Top Ten demonstrates your commitment to strengthening your ability to empower leaders! This is the only research-based Christian coaching process available today. The result is a comprehensive coaching process that is spiritually-anchored in Christ so that you can cultivate leaders in your ministry.
8. Reconnecting with God We love that this post made the Top Ten! You are pulling up your sleeves and eager to nurture your spiritual growth and help others be all that God has created them to be. After taking a break, it is important to meet people where they are and help them reconnect with God.
7. Lent Week Four: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus We were pleasantly surprised by the Lenten series. You showed a heightened interest in revisiting the season of spiritual preparation approaching the Passion of Christ. Be on the lookout for another version of the series in 2024.
6. Coaching on Succession Planning Every leader is in a state of transition. However, when a leader is moving from one position to a new position, there are three phases that we addressed in this blog that caught your eye. We will look at succession again in 2024.
5. Workplace Culture and Respect There is a gap in communication styles and even values between generations. That isn’t necessarily bad, but it is something to be aware of and be intentional about as you adapt your leadership style to the leaders you are cultivating.
4.5 Habits to Make Disciples We’ve been honing in on these habits that were fundamental to Jesus’ ministry. It’s exciting to see you resonating with these! Look for more on the 5 Habits in 2024.
3. Slow Your Role! When You Launch Small Groups Matters Small groups are one of the most influential contributors to church health. It is no surprise that the topic attracted so much attention this year. Whether you call your small groups missional communities, Community Groups, Life Groups – look for more insights in 2024.
2. 5 Challenges Every House Church Faces Every single post in this series on qualities of churches of various sizes were near the top of your favorites. We hear you! Look for more IF posts that offer insight and tips into understanding the unique challenges in these specific contexts in 2024.
1. Reconstructing DiscipleshipSo much has been discussed, written, and forecasted about the deconstruction of discipleship. This raises the question – what is discipleship? We will bring you more on the challenge of making disciples, who make disciples, in 2024.
Your Voice Matters
We hope this post has helped you see our commitment to you and to creating content that is important to you. As you can see, identifying the top ten blogs of the year has been a strategic part of our planning for 2024. We invite you to speak into this further and invite you to take a few moments and complete this SHORT SURVEY. Please let us know how we can come alongside you to help you grow as a coach, build your coaching business, and work with specific context and clients.
Take a moment and think about what you really need to accomplish today. Identify the 3 most important activities you can accomplish in a 24-hour period that will move your ministry forward. Now write those out!
I conducted an experiment in 2020 and purchased two different Muju black books. One is larger, about 5″x8″ and the other smaller about 4″x6″.
The larger book I call my Gratitude Book. Each day I record 3 things I am grateful for, to remind myself of God’s active involvement in my life, His sovereignty and grace!
The Smaller book I call my Top 3 Book. Each day I do the exercise I opened up with at the start of this blog.
I repeat this exercise Monday-Friday (and sometimes on the weekend).
What has been the results of my notebook experiment?
I am seriously less stressed-out.
Coincidentally, my experiment overlapped with the Covid virus which was in the back of everyone’s mind. It was and continues to be an unpredictable time in our society and globally. Questions about safety, financial viability and leadership from all-sectors of society scramble my thought life. But this simple exercise created a moment of clarify that focused my day!
I am seriously more productive.
In the midst of a typical day if I am honest – the highs, the lows and the mundane sap the energy and joy from my soul. Keeping this list before me, in addition to the other already planned activities of the day, was like a breath of fresh air. I can always say at the end of the day – “Well done!”
I am seriously more purposeful.
I wanted to say “more missional” but that is such an over-used term it can lose it’s meaning. What I mean by purposeful is that these 3 activities, based upon my best understanding of what will move the mission of God forward, will have the greatest impact. Regardless of your particular field you can apply this to your context and feel like you are about the Lord’s work – discovering what God is already at work doing and partnering with Him on His mission.
Let’s play this out in real time!
What if you took out a piece of paper – right now. And you wrote-out 3 things you are Grateful for: They might be random things like:
your health
your family
the chance to serve God through your work
Now take another piece of paper and write-out the Top 3 activities or tasks that will move your ministry forward. They might include:
call a leader that you need to foster a relationship with in your church.
write an e-mail to a board member
mail a check to a vendor
Reflection Questions to Consider:
How can you improve on what you are already doing?
What could this give you that you don’t already have?
What one thing will increase your effectiveness today?
This is not simply a work smarter – not harder idea!
A Spiritual Exercise
I approach this activity as a spiritual exercise. I want to hear what God has to say about my day and the absolute best way I can partner with Him. This has the desired effect of putting things in perspective and joy in my soul.
Right now, you and I must be creative in our efforts to discover inspiration.
If you listen to the typical news report, read the latest updates on what is going on in the world and allow your mind to focus on reasons to be fearful – those messages can be less than motivational. It can be downright depressing. Or in my darker moments, they just feel evil.
Today I want to ask this question: Where do you find inspiration?
You might be in the throws of finding the right path to navigate complex issues of ministry. For instance, now that you have “righted” the ship and are discovering how to conduct a hybrid ministry; you might be asking yourself how long will this last. Of course, no one knows the answer to this question. Theologically you hold to the inspiration found in Jesus’s ministry, the Psalms and the writing’s of the Apostle Paul. In the moments when all odds stand against you, your leadership and even your family – the Word is our source of inspiration.
AND in the midst of challenges it is essential that you grab onto sources of inspiration that force you to see God in a new ways. One way I find inspiration is through mountain biking. It provides a needed distraction, forcing me to consider life and ministry from a fresh perspective. I enjoy riding with my wife. Mountain biking provides companionship with Gina, breathing life into my weary soul and tired body. Afterwards, I see things differently. It puts events into it’s proper perspective. Inevitably, I discover a new insight I did not have before the ride. Most important is the gratitude I feel when I realize how big God is and how small our world is and my place in it!
Where do you find inspiration?
In the next month we are launching three Leadership Collectives. One of the take-aways for leaders that experience the Leadership Collectives is the inspiration they receive throughout the process. Please look there over and if you have anyone in your network that might benefit – share it!
These are challenging times for all in ministry. We are uncertain about the path forward as the recommendations for keeping people safe change daily. However, the opportunities for the local church to step-up, have never been greater! Last week I received an e-mail from a friend highlighting an opportunity to help young people. As the struggles young people encounter become more and more pronounced during the pandemic, one ministry is offering you and your congregation an opportunity to serve. Learn how you and your people can serve as mentors to support youth during their time of need.
SharetheStruggle.org could be an amazing opportunity to allow churches to equip their congregation to do ministry online as they seek to match christian mentors who have made it through various struggles with hurting young people in the middle of that struggle.
Here is a 2 minute long video explaining what they do
One of my big lessons over the last 30+ years has been learning how to adjust to different personality types. Helping young people process their struggles requires a high level of EQ (Emotional Intelligence). I learned that introverts process information differently than extroverts (using the Myers/Briggs). Understanding how you function is a good first step to self-awareness, understanding how to adjust to the people you coach is a good next step.
Resources to help you understand how to coach extroverts!
Resources to help you understand yourself!
Learn about the various combinations of extroverted personality traits using the Myers/Briggs.
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