If church leaders were born and not made, there certainly would be less stress in pastoral work. But then there wouldn't be the satisfaction of seeing someone fully develop his or her God-given potential.
Leadership has devoted this issue to helping pastors develop other leaders. The theme section comes in two parts:
1. SHARPENING YOUR SKILLS. In the interview The Potential around You (p. 22), John Maxwell gives hard-won lessons in how to develop the leadership gift of others. For most pastors, finding promising people is as difficult as developing them. Fred Smith gives practical guidelines in Spotting a New Leader (p. 30).
Despite what is proclaimed at pastors' conferences, pastor David Coffin writes, "Most people in my small congregation don't want to be unleashed to do ministry." See Why I Don't Train Leaders in Malinta, Ohio (p. 35).
Lay leaders need to know how to handle conflict; Alabama pastor Gary Fenton gives the specifics in A Crash Course in Conflict (p. 38). Lay trainer Marlene Wilson gives help on Turning Pewsitters into Players (p. 41). Finally, in Keeping Leaders Aflame (p. 44), pastor Robert Morgan helps with the perennial issue of keeping leaders motivated for the longterm.
2. UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE. If we're clear about our role as pastor, we're better equipped to develop others. In Shepherd or Leader? (p. 48), H. B. London, Jr., and pastor James White take different positions about the pastor's primary role. In Your Leadership Is Unique (p. 54), Peter F. Drucker presents the freeing news that there is no one archetype for a church leader. Finally, in Up to the Challenge (p.56), Bill Hybels clarifies why leadership in the church is more demanding-and rewarding-than leadership anywhere else.
1996 by Christianity Today/LEADERSHIP, journal.
Last Updated: October 7, 1996
