The Vital Role of Leadership in Church Planting

Dr. Jeff Potts | mobile 306.241.5138 |

“Everything rises or falls on leadership!” – John Maxwell

Romans 12:8 (NLT) “If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.”

Before Jesus recruited Peter to be one of the leaders in the early church, He put Peter through several leadership tests. Notice Luke 5:1-11…

Luke 5:1-11 (NIV) “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

The Five Leadership Tests Jesus applied to Peter:

  1. The Bias Toward Action Test (v 3) – Jesus asked Peter for help with a logistical problem, and found that he was a “make it happen,” action-oriented person.
  2. The “Will You Follow Directions?” Test (vv 4, 5) – “Will you do as I say? Will you submit to my authority?” Peter replied, “Because you say so, I will.”
  3. The “Who Deserves the Credit?” Test (v 8) – Who deserved the credit for the amazing catch of fish? Peter knew! Credit hogging doesn’t contribute to healthy team dynamics.
  4. The Grander Vision Test (v 10) – Jesus was saying, “You enjoyed catching fish? How about fishing for people?” Peter saw the grander vision.
  5. The “Will You Leave It?” Test (v 11) – Peter left everything to follow Jesus!

A Practical Test: When a potential church planter comes to me and says he or she wants to start a church, I say, “Great! Go out and recruit ten people to help you do it.” If the person can gather a core group of at least ten people, I know he or she has a leadership gift!

What can you do to take your leadership abilities to the next level?

  1. Read books on leadership.
  2. Attend a leadership training seminar.
  3. Spend time with gifted leaders. Learn from them.
  4. Get into the trenches and lead! (Experience is a tremendous teacher!)
  5. GET A LEADERSHIP COACH—SOMEONE TO MENTOR YOU. (Paul & Timothy, Elijah & Elisha…)

Keys to Effective Leadership:

  1. Maintain a healthy devotional life. Spend time alone with God each day.
  2. Maintain healthy relationships with your family and close friends—your Support System.
  3. Take care of your body: regular exercise, adequate rest, nutrition, etc… (NEW START)
  4. Trust God for an outpouring of Holy Spirit’s power (Zech 4:6). No one can trust God for you!
  5. Cast a compelling vision. It will inspire people to join your team.
  6. Lead leaders, not followers. Empower & equip your key people to lead others.
  7. Provide “on the job” training by doing ministry with others. Never do ministry alone! (2x2)
  8. Set clear goals and design the strategies to reach them. A goal without a strategy is just a wish!
  9. Encourage your team members. Celebrate the wins. Help them learn from the failures.
  10. Live in authentic biblical community (ABC). Do Church as a TEAM.

“If Christians were to act in concert, moving forward as one, under the direction of one power, for the accomplishment of one purpose, they would move the world.” – Ellen White (9T 221)

1