Leadership skills are essential in developing and maturing a body of believers.

In our observance of Jesus, and his work-relationships with his disciples, we see him loving, teaching, rebuking, and training them for the time, when they would have to do the work of the ministry.

The whole idea is for the crew to sail the ship. Jesus knew that he was not going to be with them always, so he spent time with the disciples, preparing them, teaching them, and demonstrating what they were expected to do.

Dr. Cho, who pastors one of the largest churches in the world, has committed the actual work of the ministry, into the hands of the church body. He has the vision, they carry it out! It is not unusual to see a thousand cell groups gathering throughout the city, as the group leaders minister to the people. Throughout the day, you might run into hundreds of people ministering in places of business, hotels, elevators, hospitals, on the streets and in homes. They are doing a thousand times more, than one man could ever do alone.

As pastors, we sometimes make the statement, "I have to go to the mountain-top to be with God," and there's nothing wrong with that, but in Dr. Cho's church, there may be ten thousand people praying and fasting, for days and weeks at a time. That unity creates a corporate anointing and power!

In ministry, many of us are still a type of "lone wolf", we know what needs to be done and we do it ourselves. We don't realize how we limit or stifle the growth of the ministry, by not utilizing the people that God has sent us. We must know those who labor among us, so as new members enter our churches, we should interview them, and become familiar with their gifts and talents, in order to properly place them in the ministry. If they don't feel needed, they will go somewhere else.

Pastors and Leaders must be effective communicators. We need to communicate on all levels, so that we can skillfully navigate the ship. It is important that we listen, motivate and encourage the members to be creative in their own thinking. Effective leadership and training are definitely in order, but it requires insight on our part, to know when to delegate, promote and send the-people.

 

If we as leaders desire to see the true success of the ministry, we must realize that the work is bigger (more important) than we are, and not allow ourselves to be a form of bondage, that hinders and stunts the growth of the church!

Here are some practical ways in which we can allow the crew to sail the ship:

1.) Provide a nurturing environment which will enable the members to grow and mature. (Allow the members to grow up) The members should have access to the best teaching and training available, so that they will be able to excel in the ministry.

2.) After the members have been trained, they need to be able to utilize what they have learned. (Let them set sail on the water. Flex their muscles so to speak) Assign them a particular duty or task, experience is the best teacher. Allow their input for work improvement. The Board and Department Heads, should be on-call as needed.

3.) Let the Auxiliary members take the leading role in constructing job descriptions and titles. Especially those who have done the job, they know what is expected.

4.) Keep no secrets: Regularly furnish detailed information in regards to things that pertain to that Auxiliary or Department. (This lets them know that you trust them, and that they are mature enough to handle what's going on!)

5.) Institute a Growth Policy: Give the membership leeway, and encourage them to make suggestions and initiate plans for growth, change and improvement.

Ephesians 4:12,13 reminds us that the leaders are;