The pastor moaned, “There’s no one stepping up to lead.”
“There aren’t enough volunteers to run the food ministry,” the coordinator complained.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field,” Jesus said (Luke 10:2).
Excellent leaders and fruitful servants abound. The Father endowed everyone with gifts, passions, abilities and experiences that Christ purposes to use for bringing ripe spiritual fruit everywhere. But these gifted, fruitful leaders often start out hidden.
Great Commission people will be daily looking for others in which to invest. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).
Look for people who assume responsibility, refuse to blame others when things go wrong and give others credit when things go right. Look for people who embrace learning, ask questions and embrace the opportunity to grow when corrected. Look for the courageous spirit that asks questions about how things are done or is unafraid to express a well-considered opinion.
Look for people who seem to put the good of others or the organization above themselves. Look for people who tend to have others around them and who invite or encourage others to do stuff and be with other people.
Spend time with your emerging leader. Invite the neophyte to take on a particular task while explaining personally why he or she is capable. Promise to be with such people, guiding them, praying with them and instructing them along the way.
Let the emerging leader emerge. Give immediate opportunity to do something with your support.
Jesus called each of His disciples by name and invested years in loving, training, encouraging, forgiving and growing His movement-makers. You should too.
Mark Adams is the superintendent of the North Central Conference.
Go to fmchr.ch/markadams to read an extended version of this article on Adams’ North Central Reflections blog.
