We need more leaders. No, not leaders to keep the church going but leaders who send the church out. Our leadership focus has often been very internal. How do we keep Sunday on the road? We think it’s about growth but often this can lead to the leadership talent being stifled because they don’t fit into our narrow leadership framework.
One church has just appointed a member of the Gather network as an “Apostle /Enabler”. Her job is to find leaders who will reach out and impact the city. She will spot and encourage kingdom leaders in business, teaching, health, the arts etc. They may be pioneers willing to do something new, they may be pastors with a heart to serve their colleagues, they may be doing very ordinary things in an extraordinary way because their call is recognised, supported and blessed.
We need more, many more of these leadership enablers.
How broad is your definition of and focus on leadership? In a time of growth, we need leaders with a vision for reaching out. We need their testimonies in church, we need the church to pray for them, we need to get others around them, so they grow together. I know so many highly capable, gifted leaders who became spectators in their church because the church did not know what to do with them. Send them out, send them to bring the kingdom – peace, mercy, compassion, justice and forgiveness to the many, many people in the wider city, town or village where you live. Send them out as a great investment in blessing your place.
As we observe God moving powerfully amongst young people we need to expect – and pray for – more young leaders who will learn how to draw close to Jesus and be a blessing to many.
We need fresh thinking, and prayer. We need people who will lead that fresh thinking, who will explore other’s ideas and experience and look at new ways to reach out (as well as reflecting on what has worked before). We need leaders who spot talent, leaders who encourage, leaders who bring challenges and difficult questions. We need generous relationships that help others understand and flourish in their calling.
Squadron Leader Guy Gibson led the Dambusters raid on five dams at the age of 24. The responsibility on his shoulders was enormous. Scripture is full of leaders in their twenties and teens. As we observe God moving powerfully amongst young people we need to expect – and pray for – more young leaders who will learn how to draw close to Jesus and be a blessing to many. There is an emerging movement of young people – this will be sustained by young leaders prepared to take risks, and hungry for more of God.
Churches that want to sustain growth will need a leadership pipeline. Maybe the new test of great leadership is not – how great were the sermons, how many people do you have? But how do you encourage and grow those who impact their community? How do you spot and encourage their skills and help them explore their call? Jesus invested his time in developing leaders. He created an energised group of committed followers – who were then sent out to change nations. As we anticipate growth in our churches let us stop and ask – how must I strengthen my leadership culture?
STEVE BOTHAM
Steve Botham is supporting and advising Gather Movement. Steve comes from a business background, having worked in senior roles in HR and Training in the Motor Industry and Financial Services. He was CEO of a Change and Consultancy firm and Chair of a Community Development “think tank”. Previously, Steve was Director of the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham. Steve is a regional connector for the Midlands and gives us a focus on prayer and workplace ministry.
Steve is married to Carol and they have 2 grown-up children.
