How To Build A Team Of Leaders

Whether the church you pastor is a big, thriving church or it is a growing church with twenty members, it is very important to have a great team of leaders.  You may only have one other person on your team or maybe you have a hundred.  However many you may have, it’s important to make sure you have the right people on board and that you are all going in the same direction.  Here are a few ways to choose the right people for your leadership team.  Remember when you start out to build your leadership team to build a team that is based on Biblical principles and characteristics.

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God.  And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles;”  (Luke 6:12-13)

Note:  The night before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He continued in prayer all night.  When is the last time you prayed all night before you made a decision?

Choosing the Right Leadership Team Members

“You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit.” — Harry S. Truman

Begin choosing your team members by making a list of character traits from the Scriptures.

1.Use the traits Paul gives for the office of Elders and Deacons (1 Timothy 3, Titus 2).

2.Use the list given in Galatians 5:22-23 as to the fruit of the Spirit. 

   “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

3.Use the general rule given by David in 2 Samuel:

   “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”  (2 Samuel 23:3)

4.Use the rule given by God to Moses in Deuteronomy 1:13, 15-17.

WARNING: If your team members do not conform to these characteristics, you do not have a Biblical team. Be warned against recruiting a Judas or a Demas—these are components of trouble.  You want to have a team of Joshuas and Elijahs instead.

Four Vital Points for a Successful Team

1.Cast a Vision

“Great vision without great people is irrelevant.” — Jim Collins

What is the vision that you have for your team and the church?  In which direction are you wanting them to go?  Where do you see the church in five years?  Ten years?  What are your goals?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish:”  (Proverbs 29:18)

2.Set Clear Expectations

Clarify the team’s mission and vision.  Be precise when going over these goals.  Make sure there are no questions as to what you expect of the team and their respective responsibilities.  Ambiguity is the enemy of progress. When everyone knows what is expected, they can work effectively towards those goals.

3.Foster Commitment

Is everyone on the team committed to the goals that you have set before them?  If everyone is not committed, it will be very frustrating when others on the team are carrying someone else’s load.  This will, in turn, hinder progress and may eventually kill any goals that you have in mind to achieve.  Make sure everyone is on the same page.  Make sure everyone has bought into the visions that have been cast.  If not, address these upfront and make changes as necessary.  Everyone on the team HAS to be committed, or you are setting yourself up for failure. Commitment is the backbone of a thriving leadership team.

4.Maintain Open Communication

Always make sure that there is a direct line between you and anyone else on your leadership team.  Try to be available as much as possible for questions and suggestions.  You never want the team members to feel as if they cannot talk to you about something.  You should hold meetings for team members often—perhaps once a week or at least once a month.  This keeps everything you are wanting to do in front of them and it also helps with keeping unity among the members.

Build a Culture of Trust and Accountability

Trust is the foundation of any effective team. Without it, your team cannot function at its highest potential. Cultivate trust by being transparent with your leaders, admitting mistakes, and showing that you value their input. Encourage your leaders to do the same among their peers. Accountability goes hand-in-hand with trust. As a leader, you must model accountability by following through on your commitments and holding your team members to the same standard.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Invest in Their Growth

As a pastor, your role is not only to lead but also to develop leaders. Invest time and resources into the growth of your team members. This can include offering leadership training, providing opportunities for them to serve in new capacities, and encouraging them to pursue their spiritual and personal growth. Remember, a strong team is one that continually grows together in the knowledge and grace of God.

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2

Lead by Example

Finally, the most effective way to build a team of leaders is to lead by example. Your actions, attitudes, and decisions set the tone for the rest of the team. Show them what it means to be a servant leader, to persevere through challenges, and to remain steadfast in faith. When your team sees you embody the qualities you desire in them, they will be more likely to follow your lead.

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 11:1

Building a team of leaders is not a one-time task; it is an ongoing process that requires prayer, wisdom, and dedication. But with the right approach and a reliance on Biblical principles, you can create a team that not only supports your vision for the church but also glorifies God in all that you do.