What Does “Leadership Development” Mean to You?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, October 12, 2009
- Viewed 125
- (6) comments so far
I have the opportunity to work closely at Leadership Network with Warren Bird, who directs all of our research projects... Could you help us out?
Here's what I received from Warren:
What Does “Leadership Development” Mean to You?
Would you like to know when we release new resources on the topic of . . .?
- multisite
- externally focused churches
- church planting
- recovery ministry
- leadership development
- etc.
Leadership Network has asked that question of over 5,000 people. It’s part of the sign-up form you check off whenever you download free resources at Leadership Network [link ]http://www.leadnet.org/Resources.asp] such as our concept papers, webinars, podcasts, research reports, etc.
Know what the #1 choice is? Out of about 25 options, the winner is: “Leadership Development.”
I’m curious. If that’s a top choice for you, what does “leadership development” mean to you? What does leadership development look like in your ministry, or what do you want it to look like? And why is it a top choice? Please add your comments below...
Comments
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Oliver on Mon, October 12, 2009
I think that is the wrong question, I don’t care what it means to every single different person out there. Chances are most people are wrong about it anyway and wouldn’t know leadership if it bit them in the behind! I like a different excercise: what did leadership mean to Jesus? how about martyrdom, death, criticizing the pharisees, washing feet, now lets ask what it means to the average mega church pastor, mega church pastor wannabe: numbers, programs, “excitment” cultural relevance, being hip. Then ask the question where have we gone wrong? Now what is leadership, leadership is bucking the trend, leadership is taking people where they should go not where all the cash flushed ceo’s sit in their fancy suits, in their fancy pent houses, fancy offices, talking about “leadership” and christian worldview and who knows what else. How about this: sell all you have, give it all to the poor, and follow Jesus? no…that’s too hard!
Mike on Mon, October 12, 2009
It seems like the concept of leadership development is a bit nebulous because not many pastors or church staffers have figured out how to have a reproducible process for doing that in an ongoing way. However, in putting some practicality to Oliver’s comments (the Jesus part, not the hating on mega churches part), the most effective way to reproduce leaders and development them is life on life. One leader developing 2 - 3 potential leaders in a close knit, open setting. Jesus did this often, particularly with Peter, James, and John.
The problem doesn’t seem to be the model, it seems to be the how to. Specifically, how do we as pastors train lay leaders so that they can become disciple-makers too? While you can’t program discipleship, having a process in place at least gives some rails to run on that will give confidence and structure to lay leaders that have never attempted anything like this before. So I think the questions we have to answer as pastors are:
1. Who am I personally discipling to be a potential leader?
2. Is there a structure, or am I just making it up as I go?
3. Is it done in such a way that they can replicate the process with someone else (2 Tim. 2:2)
4. What markers or fruit do we have in mind so we will know if we are making any progress?
5. Are we taking an opportunity to notice the life change that is happening during the process or are we just looking for a volunteer factory?
That’s the way we do it. Hope it’s helpful. Blessings on your work.
Steve Long on Mon, October 12, 2009
It was so cool in the O.T. when God raised up leaders and equipped them to accomplish his purposes. Nowadays so much education is required for leadership that I think I yearn for the old days…which I have incidently not seen as the modern day model.
Fred on Mon, October 12, 2009
Becoming the least?
Oliver on Mon, October 12, 2009
That comment by mike I have to admit is good. you almost have me convinced. But I still think what looks so good on post falls apart in the real world. I don’t think you can do a process that makes leaders, at least not biblical leaders. What I think happens is that we just take leadership principles and slap God on it, (if that even happens) and then mindlessly plunge forward. On the other hand the Bible God’s word already tells us what leadership is. Mother teresa showed real leadership, countless people who will never be known and will never make 2 cents but spend their days feeding the homeless, and helping people in nursing homes, they will be the ones that will be the real leaders in the kingdom. I think the funny thing is that people that represent this “christian” cool business culture and mega churches are going to be the least in the kingdom of heaven, if they get in at all.
Tim Wright on Mon, October 19, 2009
Hi,
I believe that an individuals personal belief system, what their emotions tell when when they experience something is very different what they profess. Most pastors are into control and manipulation, the call of the leader is to empower.
Another key area that every leader needs to know is how to listen and obey the Holy Spirit. Ministering in the gifts of The Holy Spirit.
Tim
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