Not Everyone Is Ready to Lead
Not everyone who enjoys attending a church is ready to lead. That’s not a judgment; it’s reality. Leadership requires time, emotional capacity, spiritual maturity, and commitment. In early phases, many attenders are still figuring out their faith.
You need strategic discipleship early on. That means identifying potential leaders quickly and investing in them personally. Good planters build a culture where leadership development is part of weekly rhythms, not a special program.
Practical Examples and Tips
Use Small Groups to Grow Leaders
Small groups are leadership incubators. Assign group facilitators who are coached and equipped weekly. Make growth obvious by focus on:
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prayer leadership
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Bible study facilitation
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pastoral care follow-ups
Small group leaders often become ministry team leaders and elders if nurtured well.
Create Service Pathways
Turning attendees into volunteers into leaders takes clear steps:
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Attend a Core Class (vision, values, mission)
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Serve on a Team
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Lead a Team
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Coach a Team
Clear pathways help people see next steps rather than guessing what leadership looks like.
Celebrate Church Plant Leadership Wins
Don’t wait for perfection. Celebrate small leadership victories. It reinforces confidence and encourages others to step up.
RELATED: Have You Exceeded Your Leadership Margin?
Money Helps, But Church Plant Leadership Lasts
At some point, church plants will need money. That’s inevitable. Budget covers costs, rent, and salaries. But money without leadership isn’t a church. A budget doesn’t pray. It doesn’t disciple. It doesn’t guard doctrine or model grace.
Practical benchmark
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Aim to have three trained leaders before you launch public services if possible.
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Ensure at least one leader per 10–15 regular attenders. That ratio helps sustain growth.
Raising money often gets attention because it has a visible goal: numbers on a spreadsheet. But church plant leadership is invisible work: prayer, mentorship, slow growth. It’s a call to rethink priorities.
Prioritize People Over Purses
Your church plant will run out of leaders long before you run out of financial questions if you don’t build leadership intentionally. Money comes when people see a team they trust and a mission that resonates. Start early, invest deeply, and lead with patience and prayer.
Begin with leadership development, embed it in every rhythm of your church plant, and watch both people and resources align for the long haul.
