Step 4: Develop Leaders

DEVELOPING LEADERS marks the fourth step of disciple-making for the church. Local church leaders are spiritually mature disciples entrusted with ministry responsibility. Paul challenged Timothy to develop leaders in Ephesus who would carry on generational disciple-making: “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 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 Tim 2:1-2).

The Scriptures establish two ministry offices in the local church:

  • PASTOR/ELDER/OVERSEER: Biblically qualified men who direct the teaching, shepherding, and organization of the church. For duties and qualifications, see Eph 4:11-16; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4.

  • DEACONS: Biblically qualified servant-ministers who support the pastors’ ministry by caring for the congregation’s physical welfare and preserving the unity of the church. For duties and qualifications, see Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Tim 3:8-13.

Additionally, the Scriptures encourage all believers to develop into mature disciples who carry out the work of ministry and care for other's needs:

  • MATURE DISCIPLES: Mature disciples serve in substantial ways, carrying out countless ministries in the church: discipleship mentoring, teaching classes, organizing ministries, missionaries, counselors, and much more. See Rom 12:1-12;  Eph 4:11-16; and Phil 2:1-4.

QUALITIES OF BUDDING LEADERS

The church develops leaders through the long-term disciple-making process. In Jesus’ training of the twelve disciples, three attributes characterized those who were budding into church leaders:

  • FAITHFUL: Budding leaders show devotion to the Lord and the church through the disciple-making process.

  • AVAILABLE: Budding leaders have the desire, family support, and time for training and ministry.

  • TEACHABLE: Budding leaders are humble and hungry to learn from current leaders.

 

Budding leaders typically need to advance and mature in the following areas:

  • DOCTRINE: Knowledge of the Bible and sound doctrine are indispensable for church leaders. Budding leaders often need to pursue some level of formal or informal study to be adequately prepared for ministry leadership.

  • EXPERIENCE: Leaders need experience loving, serving, teaching, and leading in the home and local church. Budding leaders often need to purposefully focus on strengthening areas of inexperience.

  • COMMISSIONING: Before entrusting leaders with responsibility, a church or mission board may require various levels of training, qualification, vetting, and commissioning. Budding leaders should learn about any commissioning requirements and develop necessary proficiencies.

ENVIRONMENTS FOR TRAINING

Three environments, working together, supply budding leaders with well-rounded training:

  • PASTOR MENTORING: Local church pastors are responsible for developing future leaders. Budding leaders should spend copious amounts of time learning from their pastors. Experienced pastors should pursue mentoring growing leaders as an essential part of their duties.

  • LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Healthy local churches should produce mature, qualified leaders. Budding leaders should aim to be actively involved in all aspects of church life. For example, an aspiring pastor needs to learn not only how to prepare doctrinally sound sermons but also how to love others practically, serve in the nursery, care for the homebound, engage students, and evangelize neighbors.

  • ACADEMICS: Leaders need education in sound doctrine, biblical theology, hermeneutics, proclamation, the doctrine of the church, missions, church history, and more. Some level of academic training is recommended, whether through the church or seminary, informal or accredited.

 

PATHWAYS TO DEVELOPING LEADERS

  1. PASTORAL MENTORING:

Our pastors/elders bear responsibility for purposefully developing future leaders. As an extension of long-term discipling, budding leaders should look to spend formal and informal time with church pastors in mentoring relationships. Spending time together, shadowing pastors as they go about their responsibilities, ministering together, and studying together are all ways mentoring may occur. If you are interested in pastoral mentoring, take the initiative to speak with a pastor/elder and make your aspiration known.

 

2. PASTORAL INTERNSHIP:

A pastoral internship is a short-term church staff role aimed at developing future pastors, church planters, missionaries, and other church leaders. An internship is custom designed for the interests and availability of the intern. Internships are typically three to twelve months, may be paid or volunteer, and may be full or part-time. An intern shadows our pastors, observes the inner workings of the church office, reads books, writes papers, and provides assistance to the church office. Interns are typically college undergraduates or seminary students who are considering vocational ministry. We can craft internships to meet various academic requirements.

For more information on a pastoral internship with Crestview, please get in touch with Thomas Hill at thomas@crestviewbaptist.org.

3. TRAINING COHORT (UNACCREDITED):

Pastor Thomas invites budding leaders into short-term training cohorts that focus on a particular course of study or topic, such as expository preaching, evangelism, or theology. Cohorts are typically organized in the spring and fall and run for about twelve weeks. They include a combination of reading, writing, discussions, and videos.

For more information on participating in an upcoming training cohort, please get in touch with Pastor Thomas Hill at thomas@crestviewbaptist.org.

SEBTS GO CERTIFICATE: Online courses are available through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. These courses are abbreviated seminary classes taught by world-class scholars. They are ideal for those who want to learn but are not looking for the accreditation or rigor of a seminary degree. Follow the link for a listing of available courses: SEBTS Go Certificate

4. SEMINARY TRAINING (ACCREDITED):

Ministry training through completion of an accredited seminary degree is often recommended for those aspiring to vocational, full-time ministry. Seminary degrees are available in a variety of delivery methods: traditional on-campus studies, online, and hybrid studies. If you are a Crestview member interested in pursuing seminary training, our pastors would love to learn more about your aspirations.

SEBTS EQUIP NETWORK: Crestview is able to provide accredited theological training in our local church setting in Griffin, GA, for SEBTS distance learning students through the Equip Network. As a Doctor of Ministry, Pastor Thomas Hill is certified to teach seminary and college-level practicum courses and mentored internships. This arrangement allows growing leaders to pursue seminary degrees under the mentorship of Crestview's pastors while living in our local community.

Learn more about degree, courses, and requirements: SEBTS Equip Network

For more information, please get in touch with Pastor Thomas Hill at thomas@crestviewbaptist.org.

SEMINARY: Crestview supports six world-class, biblically sound seminaries. Our members also receive sizable discounts when they enroll as students. Follow the links to learn more about our seminaries and the degrees they offer:

 

TUITION GRANTS: Substantial grants for theological education are often available to Crestview members, depending on the degree program. Learn more: Keesee Education Fund