Your church faces a problem. Maybe you know about it, or maybe you don’t. This challenge doesn’t belong only to your local congregation; it reaches across the “big C” Church and far beyond. Every movement, institution, organization, and business needs leaders who step up and lead well.
If any movement on earth should excel at developing the next generation of church leaders, the Church should. We lead in leadership development for two reasons. First, we follow the greatest leader to walk this earth: Jesus Christ. Second, we carry the greatest mission of any organization on the planet. Jesus calls us to change the world by making disciples in His name, with His gospel, and by His power.
If we want to begin developing the next generation of church leaders, we need a clear theology, philosophy, and methodology for leadership development. Your church’s theology forms the foundation for leadership development – shaping the philosophy and methodology that grow from it.
The beauty of this framework is that a clearly articulated theology naturally supports your philosophy and drives your methodology. Here are several guiding questions to help you evaluate and strengthen your approach to developing future leaders.
Theology
As you consider developing the next generation of church leaders, how does your church’s theology shape the way you think about leadership and how a leader should lead? What does Scripture say about leadership? Which theological convictions help a leader thrive in your church’s context? What can you learn from Jesus’ example? From biblical leaders like King David (both his victories and failures) or from Paul’s investment in Timothy? Which passages of Scripture anchor your leadership development efforts?
Philosophy
Which core principles, convictions, and values rooted in your theology, guide your philosophy for developing the next generation of church leaders? Why do you set clear biblical and ethical expectations for every leader? At what age do you intentionally begin cultivating future leaders? What qualities reveal leadership potential? And ultimately, what outcome do you aim for in your leadership development efforts?
Methodology
How do you instill your church’s core principles, convictions, and values in leaders as you focus on developing the next generation of church leaders? How do leaders actually live out leadership in your specific context? Which biblical leadership traits do you aim to cultivate in the next generation? Do some leaders grow best in a one-on-one setting, or in a group environment? Whom should you develop first, and how long should the process last? Which principles or values should you introduce first? Where will these leaders serve, and how much responsibility will you entrust to them?
Final Thoughts
After spending time reflecting on these questions, you’ll have a solid starting point. Will you launch a class, form a cohort, or take one emerging leader under your wing? You may even find that this process clarifies how to support the leaders you already have, especially those who may be wavering.
Don’t wait to begin building your leadership pipeline. Choose one area – Theology, Philosophy, or Methodology – and take one concrete step this month to strengthen your process for developing the next generation of church leaders.
