While this is the fifth major topic addressed (after Entry, Sowing, Discipleship and Church), leadership development is not really relegated to itself. Optimally, leaders will looking for those with leadership potential while in any and all of the four fields. The aim is that as leaders are developed, they themselves will lead the charge by entering back into the harvest and starting the four fields process all over again. Here are some tools to that end.
Investing in the Masses or Just a Few? :: 1-3-9
Jesus had no shortage of people He could have been with. But He did have a shortage of time. As such, Jesus was strategic with how He invested in people.
AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP
In the gospels we see various groups Jesus was with;
· the 5,000 He fed (Matt 14:13-21)
· the 4,000 He fed (Matt. 15:29-39)
· the 500 He appeared to after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5-7)
· the 120 He was with after His resurrection (Acts 1:15-26)
· the 70 He sent out (Luke 10:1-12)
· the 12 that He handpicked early in His ministry (Matt. 10:2-4)
· the 3 from the 12 who got to experience the transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-13)
As we look at the gospels, it appears that Jesus spent most of His time with the smaller groups of people. For example, His investment into the 12 far outweighed time spent with the 5,000. As would be expected, through the twelve, many come to faith.
INVEST IN THE FAT
When looking for people to spend out time coaching, look for the following characteristics:
· Faithful - to implement their training
· Available - prioritizing their time for gospel ministry and coaching
· Teachable - humble servants who receive and who teach others
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Who are the people you should be investing in now? Do you know faithful, available and teachable people?
Learn more by checking out this video from M_2_X.
PRAYER FOR THOSE WE LEAD
It is tempting to focus so much on the material with which we train our disciples that we lose sight of praying for their spiritual health? Consider Jesus and the apostles prayers for those they discipled and make any necessary adjustments.
· Luke 22:31-32
· Eph 1:15-23
· Eph 3:14-21
· Phil. 1:3-6
· Phil. 1:9-11
· Col. 1:3-14
· 1 Thess. 1:2-3
· 1 Thess. 2:13
· 1 Thess. 3:9-13
· 1 Thess. 5:23-24
· 2 Thess. 1:3
· 2 Thess. 1:11-12
· 2 Tim. 1:1-3
· Phil. 4-6
· Col. 4:12
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APPOINTING ELDERS
Appointing elders is a crucial form of church leadership and should not be taken lightly. Just the same, it shouldn't be more complicated or time-consuming than necessary. The brothers and sisters at mvmd network have put forth both a video and PDF that are quite helpful.
