We have to do for the next generation of leaders a better job than the previous generation
Luke 5:27-28 – Jesus calls his disciples
How did Matthew became a disciple? Jesus selected him
Luke 6:12-16 – Jesus calls the rest
How did the other 11 get to be Jesus apostles? Jesus selected them!
Theme: APPRENTICING
What is our strategy for developing leaders?
At NPCC – the focused strategy is INTENTIONAL APPRENTICING
INTENTIONAL because it’s opposite to accidental
APPRENTICING: selecting, modeling and coaching for the purpose of replacing yourself
- Selecting, like Jesus selected His apostles, is difficult for us
- Was Jesus fair in selecting? No. Was He intentional? Yes!
- in 3 years He engraved His vision in the 12, and they carried it on
DISCIPLE: learner
- Jesus began with succession in mind
- He chose the ones He would pass it on to
- we wait too long!
He handpicked those He would entrust this mission, HE DIDN’T ASK FOR VOLUNTEERS!
- we think in terms of classes, but Jesus didn’t do that. But Jesus selected some and did not select others. He did not think of volunteers at this level.
- there must be a place to spend more time with a few, even if it looks unfair
He rarely did ministry alone while He was till around to debrief
- he told them to go from village to village, upon returning they reported to Jesus
- Jesus decided He wanted to be around to see this work without Him
- one day someone will do your job! And you can hang around to see them do it without you.
Churches almost ever heed this principle
- we get intimidated by the next generation
- we fail to engage in APPRENTICING
- we do a lot of ministry training, but this is different
This is not about succession planning. It’s about being intentional about pouring into the leaders that are coming behind you.
If you get a paycheck from a church, your responsibility is to look behind you at all times and pour into others.
“But” removal…
A) But I’m not an expert:
- this is what kills apprenticing.
- if you wait until you are thoroughly equipped you will never do it!
- you’re always aware of your inadequacy, so you try to grow until you’re perfect.
1. YOU WILL NEVER FEEL LIKE YOU’RE ADEQUATELY PREPARED TO APPRENTICE ANOTHER LEADER
2. you are not responsible for knowing everything there is to know about your field
And you’re not responsible more than everybody else in the field.
3. You are responsible for passing along what you know to someone else, to EMPTY YOUR CUP
We think our responsibility isn’t to fill others’ cup… instead, God wants us to be poured out!
B) But what will I do?
- what happens with my job?
1. In a healthy organization if you replace yourself you will always have a place
2. I an unhealthy organization… Why would you stay in an unhealthy organization?
Two-outcomes
a) If you replace yourself you will become a multi-site leader
- because you lead through others
b) You will become a multi-generational leader
- that’s why churches stay as a one-generational church, they take away from the young people
- because they are “not ready” or “not matured”… But it will be the case because you’re young!
- it doesn’t matter your age or experience- if you are one step ahead you have sometime to offer!
This is NOT A PROGRAM! Not a weekly meeting, or a curriculum or a class
- you can apprentice someone and they don’t even know it
- worst thing you can do is to tell people “I’d like to apprentice you”
Hire for the future: hire young and hire smart!
- hire people who are smarter than you and have more potential than you, hire people that have more potential than you!
DON’T WORK ALONE!!!
- never interview alone
- Invite people to participate with you in tasks
- don’t budget alone! Invite someone who’s never done it. Find a smart person and invite them.
- do as few rings alone as possible!
- this is where PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IS PREFERRED! You can’t apprentice the whole staff
MODEL – MEDs
- Model – here’s what I do
- Explain – here’s why I do it
- Demonstrate – here’s how I do it
This is not about filling others’ cup, it’s about emptying yours!
REPLACE YOURSELF!
- who is the sharpest young leader on your staff
- what can you begin doing to empty your cup into theirs?
SUCESS IS NOT MEASURED BY HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES BUT BY HOW YOU HAND THEM OFF TO CAPABLE HANDS YOU EQUIPPED!
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