How Do We Raise Up New Leaders?

In the article “Spying New Leaders,” Angela Yee addresses an issue that is relevant for all leaders. How as leaders can we raise up new leaders and volunteers, particularly when there are not many people eager to serve or lead? In her article, Yee offers 3 steps that we can utilize to help people step into leadership and service within our churches. The first step in helping find and empower potential leaders is “seeing.” As we study different types of leaders, and know what to look for, we’re able to better identify and “see” potential in people. For example, we’re able to see in some the ability of natural leadership, while in other situations we can identify a situational leader, who might not want to lead for the long haul, but would be useful and helpful for a particular project or situation. The second step is “searching.” Are there people in our congregations who are already serving in other capacities, such as at work, or people who have proven to be very reliable? In order to find leaders, we must be intentional about searching for leaders within our church, and praying that the Lord would help us to identify those people. Thirdly, Yee stressed the step of “setting.” By setting Yee means that we cannot just drop a leader anywhere and hope that all goes well, but that we must come alongside them and help them though the process. As we raise up leaders, it is essential that we place them in situations in which they can succeed.