Written in Heaven

Have you ever felt like it was all on you? Have you ever felt like if you weren’t there something wouldn’t get done? Have you ever felt like there are people around you who want to help, but you don’t feel like their ready? Have you ever felt like you couldn’t trust anyone but yourself?

I hate to say this, but that’s probably your own fault. I’ve been there. I’ve felt like if I don’t show up, it wouldn’t happen. The reason being is that I didn’t spend enough time developing the leaders around me and giving them opportunity to grow. Many folks feel really honored that you would see leadership potential in them. However, most folks feel as though they don’t have it in them and feel really intimidated at the possibility of leadership. So how do you develop leaders?

The first thing you have to do is prayerfully identify potential leadership. Once identified, the most effective and recommended way to recruit is through one on one vision casting. There is DEFINITELY a time and place for the senior pastor to stand in front and cast vision for volunteering and the need for people to serve spiritually. (Note: that is different from a pastor standing up and begging the congregation for 5 people to serve in the nursery.) However, to effectively recruit a leader, you need to sit down with someone one on one and cast the vision for why they should lead.

This part is fun. Don’t sit down and say, “Hey, we need leaders and you’re not doing anything so you should step up before God smites you!” Rather, sit with them and share with them the way God is speaking to you about that person. Share with them the growth and development spiritually that you’ve seen in their lives and celebrate that with them. Then, cast the vision for what you’re trying to accomplish, not the need you need filled. In other words, don’t say, “we need children’s workers” but “God has called us to impact the lives of children for Jesus Christ every week. We know that 100 years from now the only thing that will matter is a child’s relationship with Jesus. Would you join us on this journey to see these children’s lives transformed by Jesus?” I’m not a big fan of working with kids personally, but if someone came to me all passionate and laid something like that on me, it’d be tough to turn down.

Who is God bringing to mind right now that you need to pray for and recruit?