A Simple Way to Develop Emerging Leaders (part 4)

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 generally referred to them just as principles) for developing leaders.

Let me stop there, if you have not read the previous three parts of this blog, then stop, don't keep on reading, go back to the start and get the most out of the blog...

Now, where were we...

If you have followed along this far, you will realise that you now have emerging leaders who are not just doing tasks, but doing real ministry jobs...leadership authority and responsibility, things that matter and that you hold dear.

Let me just remind you, if it is not something that you would do, or something you prioritise, then it is not what we are talking about. Remember that Jesus was getting his disciples and followers to assist and do the baptising! In all the churches that I have been to, baptising people is a big deal; this is almost a coveted role to play in someone's faith journey, and Jesus was getting his disciples to do this. Not even John the Baptist was getting his disciples to do the baptising!

Do you get it? Are you with me here?

So, as your emerging leaders are in the 'Assist' phase of your pathway, you will notice some who are living a Jesus lifestyle, and needing less 'assistance'. They may even be taking some initiative of their own, and not only that, they are potentially even helping others develop as well. This would indicate that they are ready to step into the next part of this pathway that we discuss below.

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WATCH:

This is often a scary step for the leader to take, less so for the emerging leader. As this requires us to step back and see if they can stand.

The reality is that there will be plenty of times when they don't, or they do but it is different to how you would do it, or perhaps just not as good as you would do it in your 'humble' opinion.

Well, that's good!

They are not you, and different doesn't mean wrong or bad, it just means different. You want them to become the leader that God has created them to be, using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given them. So...

Step back and allow team members to practice the skills you have taught them, allowing them to make mistakes and stepping in only if absolutely necessary.

Imagine if no one had ever given you the chance to 'give it a go'. Imagine if you always had someone not only hovering over you but telling you exactly what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Imagine if you didn't (or perhaps for many of you, imagine if you did) have the support and scaffolding to develop, to take on more responsibility and try new things.

We could go on...you get the point!

This step is hard, but important, as this step invites others to lead in the spaces that you like to lead in. This means that what you do (the lead part) begins to change and adapt, and adjust to create the space, watch and encourage.

We see Jesus demonstrate this in numerous ways from the moment others started to follow him, to the time he ascended to heaven, he is developing disciples and leaders. We get the most significant first glimpse of this in Luke 9: 1-6. Some 2 years into his ministry, he sends out his newly appointed leaders, the 12 Apostles.

Read Luke 9: 1-6 now!

What do you notice? What do you see?

Well, along with numerous other things, he sends them out as smaller teams (support) to do what he has been doing, and what they have been observing him doing and participating in. It was the logical next step. The second thing is that they had a plan. You may say, what do you mean a plan, they stayed in a house and towns where they were welcomed...well yes, but they didn't all go to the same villages and towns, they also covered a range of different areas (together covering a large area), and unlike today where we have phones and the like to communicate, they had to plan where and when to meet up again. To me, that sounds like a plan.

The other thing I want you to notice is in verse 10...when they returned and had told Jesus everything (imagine the excitement that day!), Jesus' first desire is to slip quietly away with them (Apostles) to spend time with them and I dare say, support them, encourage them and coach them through their experience to help them continue to grow and develop as leaders.

It wasn't that much later (perhaps 6 months before Calvary), and Jesus had another cohort of leaders being developed who were at this stage in the process. Luke 10: 1 highlights that he then chose seventy/seventy-two (depending on translation and manuscript) and sent them out.

This time he sent them out 'ahead' of the places he was going...ah, it looks like another strategic plan had been made...

What I love this time, when this latest cohort of leaders is sent out and returns, Jesus was filled with 'joy'!!

It is a joy when you get to this step in the leadership process. You get the joy of witnessing those you are and have developed, succeeding at what they have been practising.

Sometimes failing, but then working it out and learning that they can do it. It is at this stage that our job is to empower those we have developed and trust. Trust the process they have been through and that they are ready. Trust that you are ready for them to succeed. Trust that if they get it wrong...and they will at times...that they will be able to grow through and from that experience. And ultimately, trust that the Holy Spirit will work through them in the same way that the Holy Spirit has been working through you.

One important note, this is the watch phase, not the sink or swim phase, nor is it the leave phase...it is the watch phase. What this means is that you are still around to support, encourage and most of all, come alongside them and coach them through this step in the process. If you remain present and engaged at this stage (although many switch off), they will make it through this step in the process in a healthy, supportive and best way possible. If you don't, they are just as likely to crash and burn in this step of the process.

So pause for a moment and ask yourself...

In what ways are you a barrier to this phase?

In what ways do you need to re-imagine your role and restructure what you do, to ensure that this phase is a supportive, encouraging, empowering and coaching step?

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

Published by The Emerging Leaders Program, 2025.