Organic Leadership Development

How does the Holy Spirit change the face of leadership development? 

The last time I wrote I talked about how the Holy Spirit is a differentiating factor between Christian and non-Christian leaders.  What I didn't write about is what that means for developing leaders, and it means a lot.

First, the Holy Spirit changes everything.  Leadership development is no longer a regimen or just a curriculum, but an organic process that we are not in charge of.  This is significantly different than most programs of education.  Christian leadership isn't something you can just get a degree in and be good.  The development of Christian leaders takes considerably more time, patience, and discernment.


Since the Spirit is in control, the time it takes to cultivate a Christian leader cannot be set in stone.  I recently read an article by the creator of Relevant Magazine where he stated that God had to teach him over 8 years before he could finally start his magazine.  It might take others a lot less than eight years to become the kind of leader God wants to carry out His purpose in their life, and it might take longer.  Again, we can't relegate the process; thinking that after we review these principles and such and such a program that the people we are teaching will automatically be the leaders God wants them to be.  How long did Moses wonder in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of bondage? 

Because we aren't in charge of the time it takes to become a leader, we have to be very patient.  So do the young leaders in our care.   Can you imagine David, after being proclaimed King, waiting to actually become King?  That must have been grueling, but God had much to teach David before he became king.

Lastly (please, however, don't think that this is exhaustive), I think that the organic nature of Christian Leadership Development takes a lot of discernment.  Not all of your students are going to be at the same place, and each will learn and develop at their own pace.  It will take a lot of discernment to know what to teach and when.  This will take a lot of prayer and a deep knowledge of each of your students.  Take the time to see this through.  Be responsible to them and to God for their development.  It's not easy, but we didn't get into this because it was easy.

Christian leadership development is difficult, and the organic nature of it makes it that much more difficult.  But with patience, endurance, and perseverance, we will be blessed to see the godly leadership of tomorrow.

Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today,
Matt