Filling the Leadership Void

By David Faust

“It’s like riding a bicycle, trying to catch up with a bullet train.”  

That’s how one missionary describes the quandary churches face in South Asia. Many new believers are responding to the gospel in that region, but churches are barely keeping up with the growth. How can they ensure these new followers of Jesus are properly shepherded? Leaders feel like they are riding bicycles, trying to catch a speeding train. 

Causes of Our Predicament 

The church in North America faces a leadership shortage of our own. Why are congregations hard-pressed to find enough skilled, well-equipped, high character leaders? Four unsettling observations come to mind.  

1. Our motivation for evangelism has waned. If you have a strong enough WHY, you can find a WAY. The question, “Where will churches find qualified preachers?” presupposes a deeper question: “Why preach the gospel in the first place?” First-century Christians—filled with the Holy Spirit and convinced Jesus had risen from the dead—would make any sacrifice, pay any price, and go anywhere to spread the gospel. But today, the lies of materialism, relativism, and universalism have dampened the church’s passion for evangelism. Where are the believers eager to pursue ministry training because they are compelled to say, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)? This driving motivation is rare among American Christians today.  

2. We have overlooked potential leaders. A large pool of workers already exists, but too many churches over-rely on professional staffers while capable but under-utilized members watch passively from the sidelines. New Testament texts like 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:12, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 indicate that the church has a sufficient workforce if we equip all of God’s people to deploy their spiritual gifts. In your congregation, is anyone urging young people to devote their lives to Christian service? Are senior adults engaged in ministry, or are they being “put out to pasture”?  

3. We have formalized what God intends to personalize. “Sick churches,” a seminary professor used to say, “are afflicted with the disease of institutionitis.” The American church tends to view leadership development as an academic program (relegated to colleges, seminaries, and expert consultants) rather than a personal responsibility. Books, conferences, and podcasts can teach us a lot about leadership; but never underestimate the impact of parents, grandparents, and youth ministers who invest in the next generation and give kids a chance to spread their wings. 

4. We are paying the price for leadership failures and negative attitudes in the body of Christ. In a low-trust society where respect for authority is already at a low ebb, moral breakdowns and bullyish behavior in the church discourage potential leaders. Why would anyone aspire to be an elder or staff member in a congregation filled with negative, graceless attitudes? Demoralized leaders burn out in toxic environments, but they thrive when members “hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” and “live in peace with each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:13). 

Learning from Others 

Churches aren’t the only ones wrestling with workforce scarcity. For example, the pandemic intensified the aviation industry’s pilot shortage. Airlines responded by increasing pay, incentivizing experienced pilots to work longer before retirement, creating new flight schools that attract young people to aviation careers, and reducing the number of less-profitable regional flights.  

In recent years, public safety officers have been resigning and retiring at high rates. Police departments are trying to close the gap through new recruitment efforts and by adjusting the academic and physical requirements for enlistment—but there is considerable risk if they set admission standards too low. Likewise, education experts are trying to address a worrisome teacher shortage by offering better pay, improving troubled school environments, and providing more support and recognition for teachers. 

In addition to praying for harvest workers (Matthew 9:38), how can we address the church’s leadership shortage? Here are a few ideas. 

• Our church’s lead minister invites 12 young men to his home one Saturday morning each month for leadership training.  

• E2 (www.e2elders.org) provides print and video curricula and coaching for prospective and active elders.  

• Many Christian colleges and seminaries offer accessible, affordable leadership classes in person and on-line.  

• Many churches and missionary teams are re-examining their recruitment and hiring policies to improve the way they select, ordain, and support ministry leaders.  

• Congregations are finding ways to honor and encourage experienced leaders instead of taking them for granted and wearing them down until they have nothing left to give.  

Learning from the Greatest Leader 

Robert Coleman’s classic book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, explains how Jesus developed leaders through an intentional, relational approach that can be summarized in eight basic principles.  

1. Selection: Jesus intentionally chose and invested deeply in a small group of followers who would carry on his work. 

2. Association: He spent time with his disciples so they could learn through day-to-day interaction with him. 

3. Consecration: Jesus expected high levels of commitment, teaching his disciples to count the cost and prioritize the kingdom of God above all else. 

4. Impartation: He imparted his Spirit to the disciples, equipping them with power and authority to carry on his work. 

5. Demonstration: Jesus set an example, showing his followers how to speak, act, and serve. 

6. Delegation: He gave them responsibilities and sent them out to practice what they had learned. 

7. Supervision: Jesus monitored their progress, offering feedback and correction. 

8. Reproduction: His followers taught, baptized, and equipped others in their own relational networks, perpetuating the cycle of evangelism and discipleship. 

In your own circles of influence, are you personally investing in children, teens, and young adults who need to be mentored and mobilized as disciple-makers? What older, experienced church leaders are you encouraging to persevere? 

Yes, there is a leadership shortage in the church. What if the main instrument God will use to recruit, equip, and support more leaders . . . is you?