Serving and leading within God’s Church is an honor and privilege.  Learning how to inspire and keep leaders is the most difficult role I have as a pastor.  Following Jesus’ example is my goal in every area of my life so I went to the Word to see how he kept followers.  John 666 shows how he lost them as well…”From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” This is how Jesus lead…let’s lead like Him too!!

1. Exemplify It.

Lead by example.  Too many leaders are speaking truth and living a lie.  Have them in your home, at your work, and in your life.

John 13:15  I have given you an example to follow.  Now do as I have done to you.
1 Peter 5:3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example.
1 Tim. 4:12  Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

2.  Challenge Them.

Challenge them past small thinking, to huge faith, and Biblical priorities.  Challenge them to think, to ask, to suggest and to pray!

Mark 10:21b Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you’ll have treasure in heaven; then come, follow Me.
Matt. 10:7-8   Jesus sent the disciples out with these instructions Go announce the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
Matt. 28:19-20 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

3. Pull out Their Potential.

Inside of every leader is potency and potential.  Believe in them and they will begin ministry, not just serve in the ministry.

Mark 10:21a Jesus looked steadily at him and He was filled with love for him.
John 14:12Anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Pr. 12:25 A word of encouragement does wonders.

4. Totally Trust Them.

Trust them with responsibility.  Trust them with ownership.  Trust them with your heart.  You will be burned, you will be hurt…but it’s worth it.

Matt. 16:19 I am giving you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and  whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven.
Luke 16:10 Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot.
1 Cor. 13:7 If you love someone … you will always believe in him, and always expect the best of him…

5. Offer Advice

Offer feedback and recommendations.  They want to know what they are doing is making a difference.

Matt. 17:20 It was because you do not have enough faith, answered Jesus. I assure you that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you could do any thing!
Eph. 4:29 Don’t use harmful words… Use only helpful words, the kind that build up…

6. Treat them as Team.

John Maxwell says it best…Teamwork makes the dreamwork!

John 15:15  I do not call you servants Instead, I call you friends.
Col. 3:4 When Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory!

7. Don’t just Teach them to Pray…Pray for Them.

Luke 22:32 I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
John 17:20 I am praying not only for these disciple’s but also for all who will ever believe in Me because of their testimony.