WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A LEADER
We should always be looking for godly men and women to disciple and train to serve God and the church. Jesus made that a part of His everyday work, as did Paul and Timothy. Moses learned the hard way that he needed help with his duties, so did the apostles before appointing deacons. It can be hard to find those willing and able to be trained. Some are very willing to help but don’t have the skills necessary to lead. Others think they already know everything and aren’t open to being taught. Some may make a quick start but then just as suddenly fade away. Here are some questions to ask when looking for people to train in ministry.
Check their fruit. When we buy fruit at the store we pick it up and look it over, front and back. We squeeze it and check it for freshness. We can’t look at the inside but we can thoroughly check the outside. That’s the same with people. Does the person show the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Are they responsible? Do they get along with others? Are they honest? Do they care about others? Are they faithful to their mate and family, putting their needs before their own? Do they go out of their way to help others? Are they humble? Are they teachable? How do they respond to correction? How do they handle conflict with others? Do they stay strong in the face of temptation or persecution?
Check their calling. Some people want to be leaders because they like the attention that comes with it. They may be godly Christians and competent leaders, but their main motivation to minister is to get attention, to gain power and authority or to be looked up to and admired. They may be proud and want this, or insecure and feel they need to impress others so people will like them. Either way is wrong. Do they have a God-given desire in their lives to serve God for His sake? Are they willing to serve in areas where they don’t get notice or affirmation? How much ‘self’ do they have in their serve? Do they do things as unto the Lord and not unto men (Colossians 3:23-24).
Check their cooperation. A good leader must first of all be a good follower. No one can correctly lead until they learn how to submissively follow. Are they a good team player, willing to work with others? Will they do whatever work is necessary for the project to succeed or do they just want to do the easy, popular work? Will they be faithful and loyal to you as they minister under you and with you? Can they take orders from you and follow through, even if it may not be the way they would prefer to do things? Are they more interested in the serving than their own role in the ministry?
Don’t just look for someone popular or who is a good speaker and make them a leader. Look for these other qualities first. Then good, thorough training is important and necessary. Jesus is our great example in calling, teaching and training His followers. We need to be constantly looking for and training others to help with the work of ministry and to be future leaders who also will train others. We must follow Jesus and Paul in this. We need to invest in everyone, but especially in those who can multiply the ministry and use their unique combination of gifts to serve. It is a great privilege to serve as a church leader, but we must be training those to whom we can pass the torch. Are you doing this?
Ephesians 4:11-13 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
How were you trained for ministry? What was good about your training? What do you wish would have been done better?
Who are you now working with to prepare them for service? Pray for them.
Who do you know who shows potential for ministry and leadership? What can you do not to begin training them? Pray for them as well.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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