A Simple Way to Develop Emerging Leaders (part 3)

In the previous parts (part 1 and 2), we identified and touched on the problem, introduced a process of leadership development with the acronym 'MAWL' and then touched on the first step, 'Model'. If you haven't read the previous parts, then you can find the first one of the series here.

So, let's continue exploring this process and what we can learn. Remember, these are principles or priorities, and as such,

the hard work of leadership is in the prioritising and application of these principles into the context you are in.

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Assist:

As we become what we want to multiply, we will see these priorities, this model being copied by others. Some may not even be leaders yet, but we will especially see our leaders prioritising that which we prioritise. As this begins to happen, we need to have the next step for our leadership process planned and ready.

Part of leadership development is teaching our leaders the skills, knowledge, the character that we are developing in our leaders. So often, when I work with churches and organisations, they approach this as one who attends uni...for reasons that no longer make rational sense, we think that if we give them, or perhaps tell them, the information, this will result in their transformation.

I hope you have realised that it just doesn't work that way.

Instead, what we ned to be doing is to

provide scaffolding to support our team members as they start practising new ministry skills.

At times, correcting and accountability will be required, but we are always trying to do things in a way that helps them to succeed. This is not a sink or swim situation; this is a supportive, accountable structure that sets them up for success. I have always said that this needs to include support for a Jesus lifestyle as well.

The call to a lifestyle that Jesus wants us to live comes before the call to be a leader.

And so, we want to see the emerging leaders' character come to the forefront. We want to see that they have a sense of calling into this space, and we want them to understand the cost of the process. We can so often be blinded by individuals' competencies, their charisma or their capacity that we miss that of the heart. A great acronym for what we can be looking for is 'AFT'R'. This is not one that I have made, but it is one that I use. AFT'R stands for;

A - Available

F - Faithful

T - Teachable

R - Responsive

For some further insight into what to look for in emerging leaders, read through Luke 5: 1-11 and see what Jesus was looking for.

Whether you want to use the AFT'R acronym or you have a better one that you use, it really doesn't bother me. What I will say is that you need to have a way of identifying those who are being farmed, and filtering to the top as leaders to develop. And it needs to be able to identify people who are not like you, or leaders who are introverts, or the ones that you just didn't see...

I have started saying to those I have worked with,

Always look for the one that you don't expect.

This is because this has been my experience, there is regularly one that God points out or highlights, that I just hadn't noticed or didn't stand out to me like some others did.

Anyway, back to the principle of 'Assist'.

I think a great example of us seeing this idea of 'Assist' in Jesus' ministry is in John 4: 1-2. This is in the first 18 - 21 months of Jesus' ministry.

Pause for a moment to read and see what insights you can learn.

Do you see what is happening...seriously, stop and grab your bible and read it!

Did you see it? Jesus' ministry is growing at such a rapid rate that the Pharisees are hearing about it. It's growing at a faster rate than John the Baptist's! But what do you notice...

"in fact, it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples" [NIV]!

This is before the 12 have been appointed, before the call of the 4 to be 'fishers of people'. Jesus is getting his disciples, those following him, involved...they are assisting in the ministry and perhaps even doing the job that some of us would say only the main leader or pastor can do!

Ouch!

These jobs that they are doing are not menial or tasks that need to be ticked off; these are important, responsibility-filled roles that they are assisting Jesus with.

So, what does this stage look like for you?

Well, your context will dictate a lot of that, and there may be some social norms that impact what it looks like to 'assist' as well.

Here's the thing: if it doesn't involve you bringing them in closer, training them, equipping them, coaching and mentoring them, letting them assist with things that actually do matter...then you're not really letting them assist!

So, whatever you do, get them to do something you and they see as worthwhile and matters. Let them assist with the thing that you hold closest, and give them the opportunity to develop and grow.

This article was written and created by Andrew Hodgson © 2025.

Published by The Emerging Leaders Program, 2025.