Leader's Insight: Spotting New Leaders

It’s part of our calling as leaders to spot and cultivate other potential leaders to serve God and use the gifts given them. There’s also a side benefit: we end up finding people for the many ministries that always seem to be in need of leaders! But how do we spot them?

Melissa stepped forward to coordinate a Vacation Bible School program at her church. The need was announced, and no one else offered, so Melissa took charge. In a small church, she was able to produce a program that tripled the number of children who attended. Because of her leadership, the majority of the adults in the church came to help, even though many of them had to take time off from work.

Afterward, Melissa returned to obscurity. She helped out with background tasks, but didn’t step forward to coordinate any teams.

“Melissa,” I said, “I really think you have a gift for leadership.”

Melissa laughed. “Oh no,” she said. “Not me.”

“Why don’t you think you are a leader? You coordinated VBS. You were on the church council. You’ve led Bible studies. You definitely are a leader.”

“Oh, that stuff? Anyone can do that.” Undeveloped leaders may have the gift, but they don’t even realize it. Many, like Melissa, need a good nudge to enter into leadership, and stay there.

How do we spot new leaders?? Start with prayer. Ask God to bring you to the right people and to help them to be available. Then search. Where do you look?

1. People already actively leading in ministry. The most effective leaders are those who have been sharpened through experience. “Natural leaders” are easy to spot: they usually talk about leadership or ministry direction. The thought of impacting people gets them excited. They enjoy facing a challenge and empowering people to meet it.

although natural leaders may already be quite involved, if the leadership opportunity is in an area they are passionate about or feel called to, they will be willing to lead and reprioritize their other commitments.

2. People who are leaders at their work, but not at church. Sometimes those who are leaders do not realize the need for leadership within the church. They may be leaders in their career, but haven’t stepped up to minister in the church.

Sometimes they mistakenly assume that only those with Bible degrees can be leaders, or that their skills are not needed, or that they are not called to serve. They need to have their misconceptions cleared up.

3. People with a passion. The best leaders are those who have a passion for what they are doing. They are naturally motivated and their enthusiasm spreads to others. If you’re trying to find a leader, find someone with a passion for that area. Not every passionate person is a leader, but passion is an indicator of a good place to start.

4. People with a servant heart. Sometimes all you need is a situational leader, someone willing to step up on a temporary basis. Situational leaders arise because of their willingness to serve. They know that even though they may not be the most qualified, they’ll lead because, otherwise, needs will not be met. Their motivation is not because they enjoy leadership, but because they know that service pleases the Lord.

Situational leaders usually find the work tiring, and when the project is finished, they don’t readily take on another leadership task.

5. People who take initiative. Non-leaders are content to follow what others plan and rarely take initiative in relationships or tasks. If you see someone who is willing to take initiative to change something or to improve a situation, you have a motivated person who may be a potential leader. Place this person’s name on your “undeveloped leaders” list.

Most leaders are not born with automatic leadership skills; they discover their leadership gifts over time. Those who discover their leadership gifts at a later age are usually unaware of their leadership potential. If others tell them they may have the gift of leadership, they may deny such a ridiculous idea, but with a successful leadership project or two, they can be convinced.

6. People who are reliable. Look for people who have a track record of faithfulness and dependability, those who follow through. Undeveloped leaders are respected by those around them, even though their efforts may be haphazard due to inexperience.

Sometimes undeveloped leaders lack confidence to step forward, but their friends are willing to volunteer them! When my friend Mary and I began attending a new church, we saw an announcement about a meeting for those interested in how the church hires a pastor. Since we wanted to learn more about the church, Mary and I decided to attend the meeting anonymously and slip out later without being seen.

To our dismay, it turned out we were the only ones who attended—along with the senior pastor and chairman of the elder board! During the meeting, the pastor shared his dream of finding a leader to oversee the whole area of service ministries. I listened quietly, but Mary pointed to me and blurted out, “There she is!”

I would have never said anything, but today I am the leader of this ministry because of Mary. And it’s my turn to do the same for others—point out new leaders. Finding and developing leaders is a challenging task. But for our ministries to be more effective, it’s a task that we all must intentionally pursue.

Angela Yee is director of serving ministries at Fremont (California) Evangelical Free Church and is author of The Christian Conference Planner. She will be a featured speaker at Synergy, the Women’s Leadership Summit at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, October 4-5, 2007.

To respond to this newsletter, write to Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.