Activate leadership in a small church: How to empower your members
In small churches, strong leadership plays a vital role. It fosters a thriving and vibrant community.
Moreover, it holds the responsibility of guiding the church community, but there is one major problem.
Small church leaders often face unique challenges. A few to mention are the lack of resources, a smaller pool of volunteers, and the need to juggle various roles.
Because of these, only a few want to be in the position. In other words, these challenges can hinder you in activating leadership in the small church.
So, this article explores how small church leaders like you can overcome these challenges by empowering other members.
See your church grow by following these tips in activating leadership in the small church.
Look for those who have the potential to activate leadership in a small church
Observe your congregation. Then, identify potential leaders.
To do so, look for those with these key characteristics:
First, effective leaders have persuasive skills. They draw people in and can build consensus.
Second, they are eager to get involved. They seek opportunities to make a difference.
Third, leaders show strategic thinking by making plans to achieve their goals.
Fourth, they exhibit initiative. Whenever a need arises, they take action without waiting for instructions. Whether it be volunteering to pass on the offering plate or volunteering to help teach Sunday school.
And fifth, true leaders have the desire to be effective and useful. They do not take on a task for their glory.
Recognize who has these qualities. Afterward, engage in one-on-one conversations with them.
Doing so provides you with valuable insights into their interests and skills. But most of all, it helps you assess their willingness to take on leadership roles.
Moreover, encourage them. Empower them to step up and take on some responsibilities that you offer.
To do so, you can try to recognize their strengths and affirm their potential. This way, you can inspire confidence in these individuals.
With this, remind yourself and take inspiration from Timothy’s story.
Apostle Paul and Timothy
Apostle Paul recognized Timothy’s leadership potential. So, he encouraged him to take on responsibilities within the early Christian community.
Through Paul’s guidance and support, Timothy grew in his faith. Moreover, he became a respected leader.
He helped in overseeing churches and had a crucial role in the spread of Christianity.
Planting a seed in your members can activate leadership in a small church
After you have identified who to tap, provide them with growth opportunities.
One effective approach is to offer leadership training and workshops. These should equip members with the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles.
One example is child evangelism training for those who can teach for Sunday School.
Another is a guitar workshop for future members of the music team.
You can also connect your members to networking opportunities in the overall church leadership community.
For instance, sign them up for a meeting where churches discuss their best practices and learn from one another.
Meanwhile, for the youth, you could let them network with fellows who lead camp or regional youth fellowships.
Besides formal training, assign responsibilities based on individual strengths and interests.
This tailored approach allows members to contribute in ways that align with their skills and passions. In turn, it maximizes their potential impact.
For instance, someone with strong organizational skills could take on managing church programs.
Meanwhile, a member with excellent interpersonal skills could serve as a youth group mentor.
Invest in the development of your members. Allow them to step into their positions with confidence and competence.
Activate leadership in a small church to create a nurturing environment
Activating leadership in the small church involves creating a nurturing environment.
So, celebrate the achievements of your members and acknowledge their contributions. This celebration can take various forms.
You can share success stories during church services or host appreciation events. You can also acknowledge individuals through newsletters or social media platforms.
Such intentional recognition makes members feel valued. It also motivates them to grow as leaders.
Aside from this, however, you should also focus on mentorship and guidance. This is especially for those members who may be struggling.
To do this, pair experienced leaders with individuals who would benefit from guidance. Mentors can then offer advice, share their own experiences, and provide feedback.
Through this mentorship approach, struggling members receive the necessary encouragement and direction. This then helps them build confidence and develop their leadership skills.
Build a leadership pipeline
A leadership pipeline is a structured approach. It aims to develop leaders within an organization or community. This includes a small church.
Think of it as a pathway. It guides individuals through a progression of leadership development stages. This way, it ensures a steady flow of capable leaders to meet current and future needs.
One cannot overstate the importance of a leadership pipeline in your small church.
It allows your church to groom and prepare leaders. So, it ensures continuity and sustainability in your church leadership positions.
Moreover, this helps you avoid sudden leadership gaps or crises.
A leadership pipeline also promotes a culture of continuous growth and development. This is because individuals have more passion to take on new challenges and expand their leadership capacity.
If you are still unsure of how this can apply in your church, take a look at the story of Moses and Joshua.
Moses and Joshua
Moses was the appointed leader of the Israelites. He played a significant role in leading them out of slavery in Egypt. This is because he was their guide through the wilderness toward the Promised Land.
Throughout their journey, Moses invested in Joshua. He was his assistant and protégé.
Moses recognized Joshua’s potential and groomed him for leadership. So, Joshua was there in all the important moments.
He accompanied Moses to the mountaintop. Moreover, he saw his encounter with God and received firsthand instruction from Moses.
Afterward, he was given opportunities to lead small-scale military campaigns.
So, as the time came for Moses to pass on the leadership baton, he publicly affirmed Joshua’s capabilities. He then transferred the mantle of leadership to him.
In Deuteronomy 31:7, Moses declares to the people,
“Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Empower your members to activate leadership in a small church
Activating leadership in the small church community is essential for its growth and impact.
It is through the active involvement of your members that your church can thrive and fulfill its mission.
A leader who looks encouraged tends to pass this energy to potential leaders. This way, they can embrace their roles and take proactive steps in developing their skills.
Moreover, remember that as you involve yourself in the church, you need to help foster a culture of open communication. Address challenges with transparency and unity.
By doing so, you create a vibrant and empowered small church community that can make a lasting difference in the lives of its members and the world.
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