Oscar Muriu (Nairobi Chapel) at Willow Creek GLS

How do we find and develop leaders?

 1.    The size of the harvest depends on how many leaders you have. 

The harvest is plentiful. The more harvesters we commission, the greater the harvest will be. Jesus FIRST found leaders and invested into their lives. He didn’t throw himself in the work but into the workers. If we don’t do that, we burn out. Don’t limit your influence to your own personal capacity.

How many are you raising up to continue the work after you? The more havetsers you have, the more harvesters you can bring in.

2.    Don’t Limit Yourself By Living To Your Own Generation.

Psalm 71:18

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Acts 13:36 says David served the purpose in his generation. But David says he didn’t just live for his own generation! The only way for your vision to outlive you is to instill it in others. Pour your best energies into the next generation.  Who are you investing in? Are they at least 20 years younger than you? That’s a generation – not 5 years younger.

3.    Identify the budding leaders around you – and take them to God in prayer.

Some of your best leaders are right under your nose but you’re not seeing them.

Numbers 11:10-17. When Moses heard the people moaning for meat not manna. Moses asked the Lord, ‘What have you done to put the burden on me? Why do you ask me to carry them? Where can I get meat for them? I can’t carry them. Kill me!’  He was fed up! Suicidal!

How did the Lord answer in vs. 18? ‘You’re working too hard. Pick some leaders and I will put my spirit  that is on YOU – on them.’ I will enthuse them with my spirit so they carry your DNA.  They will have the same drive and heart. Not only did he do that with the 70 but it overflowed to 2 others!

Moses was griping – but… there were 70 there. He got them in one day.

Start to see them, one by one. Diamonds in the rough. He has written the names of his leaders in his Bible in this section. Raise up sons and daughters. World class leaders. Like Paul and Timothy.

Ask in staff and elders meeting, ‘Who are you seeing that the Lord is raising up?’ Have a hit list! Pray them into ministry.

4. Identify and develop the 5 Loves into them.

Mark 12:30-33 Most important commandment? ‘Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.’

How do you love?

With all your Heart (character – ‘out of the heart comes evil thoughts…) .

Soul  – Convictions. ( Values)

Mind – Comprehension

Strength – Competence

And love your neighbor  – Compassion.

Let the leaders embrace these 5 loves.

 5. NEVER do leadership alone.

Always have budding leaders around.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

These people spent time with Jesus. He had impacted them. Shared his life. 4 or 5 days a week at least for 3 years. 9300 hours!

Now if you did 3 hours a week of coffee meetings it would take 60 years to match that. So you need to make sure that you seize the opportunity not to be alone. Mentor them. Take them with you. Don’t drive alone. Let them see and observe you. Open your home and heart!