[featured_image]This is a four-part series on developing leaders.

Good leaders intentionally developmore leaders.

If you are a church planter, pastor, or elder, you have a responsibility to raise up and develop godly leaders around you. You can’t just expect that God will bring you “ready to go” leaders. You have to be intentional about raising them up!

Beginning with a clear picture of the type of leaders that you are developing will help you focus intentionally on specific areas of their growth and development.

Here are sixteen categories to consider in determining if someone is qualified to serve in a leadership role in a local church. They are also sixteen areas to pay attention to as you work to intentionally develop spiritual leaders around you.

16 Categories for Spiritual Leadership Development

We covered the first 8 categories in part 1 and part 2.

  1. Christ Follower Radical Obedience to Jesus
  2. Character Demonstrates Godly Fruit
  3. Calling Called to Lead God’s People
  4. Core Practices Spiritual Disciplines
  5. ConvictionEmbraces & Defends Sound Doctrine
  6. CommunityLives Authentically in Close Relationships
  7. Commission – Makes Disciples who Make Disciples who Make Disciples
  8. Clarity  – Clearly Articulates Mission, Vision & Values

9. ContactInvests in Friendships with Unbelievers

Jesus was a friend of sinners. I often ask church leaders if there are any non-Christians who consider them friends. Too often leaders in the church don’t have any friends outside the church. How then can they have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Tim 3:7)? Spiritual leaders must invest relationally with those in the harvest. How else will they make disciples of non-disciples?

10. ContributionGives Generously to God’s Work

Spiritual Leaders recognize that God is the Source of everything. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him! As stewards/managers of all that God has entrusted to them, they see themselves as a channel of God’s blessings to others and generously contribute to the work of the gospel. They give time, talents and treasures to further God’s kingdom work.

11. ConnectionActively Participates in Local Church Life

The author of Hebrews instructs believers to “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” In the New Testament, every believer is connected to a local assembly. There are no lone ranger Christians. Spiritual leaders are given to lead the church and must be actively involved in the church’s engagement in the mission of Jesus.

12. CompatibilityShaped for Leadership

God is the One who shapes leaders. He is the one who gives the gift of leadership to certain believers. Not every Christian should strive to become a spiritual leader in the church. Those who have been called and gifted to lead should function as leaders in the church. Spiritual leaders must identify how God has uniquely shaped them to lead by discerning their gifts, talents, and abilities. There must be evidence that God has shaped a leader for leadership.

Tomorrow we’ll conclude by looking at these four categories…

13. CommitmentTested Through Difficulties

14. CompetenceEvidences Leadership Skills

15. CapacityAble to Lead by Serving and Caring for People

16. ChemistryRelates Well with Other Leaders

God develops leaders over a lifetime! This is His intention and design. He uses people, circumstances, Scripture, and multiple processes to conform a leader to the image of Christ. As God develops a leader’s character, that leader is able to lead God’s people to accomplish His purposes. Join God in the developmental process in your life; then help others in their leadership growth and development.

How are you growing in each of these 4 Categories?

If you are a leader, how will you intentionally develop other leaders to grow in each of these 4 Categories?