Preacher on the Run…

It can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Identifying new potential leaders can be difficult. Finding those who may be able to lead is exacerbated by the fact that these people also need the character to lead well. There is a lot written on the topic of leadership development and it’s necessary. However, I have found the harder job is potential leader identification.

Twice a year we have a leadership training for potential new group leaders in our church. We’ve been doing it since before I got here. We identify people who might have the qualities and the character to be future small group leaders. We invite them into a 6-7 session small group setting to evaluate and equip them for these leadership roles within our church. It has been one of the greatest leadership development processes within our entire church.

Despite the proven track record of this training, one question always proves difficult to answer…where can we look for our next potential leaders? What is it we are looking for exactly? Of course, there are the functions a small group leader has to be able to perform – facilitate a discussion, lead in prayer, have good people skills and some emotional intelligence – but they must also have certain qualities. Michael Kelley shares “4 Overlooked Qualities of a Christian Leader“. Each one is vital to being an excellent and healthy leader for Jesus.

We look for each of these 4 qualities as we invite people in and evaluate them for leadership at our church. No one ever does all of them perfectly – I for one struggle with #3 that Kelley lists. But this list has helped answer the question “Do we believe this person should be invited by us to equip them further”? How about you? What qualities would you add to this list? What ones would be non-negotiable to you?

As always be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day and I’d love to hear from you!

Until Next Time…