Jeremy L. Berg

Here’s an overview of “From Followers to Leaders: The Path of Leadership Development in the Local Church” by Robert E. Logan and Tara Miller, ChurchSmart Resources) I found HERE.

A recent survey of churches asked the question, “What is your greatest need as a church?” Can you guess what the number one answer was? LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT …

Yet, most pastors and churches do not have a clear path for developing leaders within their congregations. Many of these same pastors and churches realize that what they are doing is no longer working, but they simply do not know where to turn for workable alternatives.

How do you develop godly leaders who are truly connected with God, living out their calling, using their God-given gifts, and investing in healthy relationships with others; leaders deeply impacted by God, who are then able to facilitate holistic, meaningful life change in others?

Here are just a few of the myths surrounding the development of effective leaders…

Myth #1- Leadership Development is about having the right program through which to run people …

Reality – Developing leaders is primarily a relational process, centered on the individual, not the system. The most effective starting point is the person, not the program.

Myth #2 – Leadership Development is synonymous with training …

Reality – Training constitutes one small piece of leadership development, and it does not always take place in a classroom.

Myth #3 – Leadership Development correctly means treating people exactly the same way and expecting that they will turn out exactly the same …

Reality – Everyone has different God-given gifts, capacities and callings. Developing a quiet intercessor will look very different than developing an entrepreneurial church planter, and it should. Leaders do not all look the same.

Myth #4 – Leadership development begins with mature Christians …

Reality – Because we are holistic beings, developing leaders is a holistic process. Evangelism, discipleship and leadership development are all part of one whole; they are integrated. Leadership development actually begins with pre-Christians.

Myth #5 – Leadership development focuses on skills …

Reality – Skills are just one piece of the whole pie. Effective development takes into account the individual as a personal, social, emotional, and spiritual being. Any compartmentalization of these areas of our lives is artificial.

The need is real-that much is certain. We need more and better leaders; those who are living in sync with the Spirit. Yet, like an over-tilled field whose nutrients have been exhausted, our usual sources for new leaders (seminaries, transfer growth, etc) cannot keep up with the ever-increasing need. We need to look to new fields in order to disciple and grow new leaders.