What pace are you living at? In our fast-moving world, spiritual leadership demands a counter-cultural rhythm—a pace rooted in love, not hurry. Drawing on insights from our Formation competency, which focuses on John Mark Comer's ‘Practicing the Way,’ this post invites you to slow down, embrace the apprenticeship to Jesus, and discover leadership grounded in presence, not performance.

Are disciple, disciple-making and discipleship just interchangeable buzzwords? In a chat with a youth pastor, I realised this confusion is widespread. A 2020 US study found that pastors lack consistent definitions for these core terms, diluting their power. Until we clarify what we mean by disciple-making, our messaging, training and church effectiveness assessments will remain muddled.

Part 5: Leave – the final step in developing emerging leaders. After modeling, assisting, and watching, it’s time to hand over roles, trust new leaders, and let them lead. You’ll step back, coach from the sidelines, and resist the urge to intervene. Though simple in concept, releasing control can be emotionally challenging. Embrace this season, stay available for guidance, and watch ministry thrive under fresh leadership.

Well, if you have been following along with this blog, then you will know that we are halfway through this process or pathway (I've...

Discover, in this 5-part series, how to effectively develop emerging leaders using the proven MAWL method. Learn why the ‘Assist’ stage is crucial for cultivating character, capacity, and lasting impact in ministry leadership.”

Leadership development starts with recognizing the problem—our future leaders aren’t just appearing; they need to be cultivated. We must shift from ‘hunting’ leaders to ‘farming’ them, embracing patience and a Christ-centered approach. By modeling leadership like Jesus did—authentically and consistently—we can shape a new generation of leaders who truly embody service, integrity, and faith.

Leadership shortages in churches aren’t about a lack of gifted individuals—they’re about a lack of development. Despite pastors preferring lay initiatives over new programs, few churches feel equipped to raise new leaders. With Australia projected to lose at least 2,000 churches by 2035, the need for leadership development has never been more urgent. What if the key isn’t just delegating tasks, but empowering leaders with authority? Follow this series for insights on how we c