Model for Comprehensive Leader Development and Renewal
Model by Betsey Heavner, General Board of Discipleship. This graphic may be reproduced with appropriate credit.
Sustaining Leaders with Training
For most of us, leadership is a lifelong process of responding to God's call and serving God and the congregation in various leadership roles. We may wear different leadership "hats" as the circumstances and needs of the congregation and the world change. Over time, leaders (lay and clergy) acquire knowledge and skills that can enrich the church and strengthen its ministry.
A comprehensive leader development plan includes learning and teaching qualities listed in the article "Spiritual Leadership." The lay leadership committee works with the education/nurture committee and the church's lay leader to create a framework for leaders' lifelong learning.
The motivation and commitment level of congregational leaders increases as the committee on lay leadership takes its job seriously. These questions can be helpful for the lay leadership committee:
- Does everyone have a common understanding of the nature and meaning of leadership?
- Does everyone know how leadership — effective and ineffective — has led the congregation to where it is now?
- Is the group clear about its values and vision? Do they know how current ministries fit the values and vision?
- Are the gifts/talents/passions of congregational members continually being uncovered and celebrated? How does uncovering new gifts and skills lead to new ministries and leadership training needs?
- Does the lay leadership committee have a system to keep track of leadership potential and training needs? Is there a plan for bringing on new leaders?
Plan your efforts well. Remember, there are training opportunities in your district and conference and through the resources of the general church. Nonprofit agencies or local governments might offer some leadership training. You will not be able to accomplish everything at once, so be sure to have a long-range plan. As you plan development efforts and begin to carry them out, you will constantly discover ways to improve the process. Change the plan within the bounds of the vision and goals of your congregation. Starting will require some effort, but the outcome is worth it.
Thanks to Tim Moss, FaithQuest leader and former Director of Laity Leader Development, General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee, for the conversation and articles that inspired this article.