18 May 2009

Recognizing Potential Church Leaders

A few months ago I attended a pastors' conference at which were invited guest speakers Pastor Scott Ardavanis and Dr. Stuart Olyott (who knew Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones personally). In Q&A, someone asked how to recognize potential leaders. Pastor Ardavanis gave a great formula in the shape of an acrostic, F-A-I-T-H. Potential leaders are:  

F - Faithful (Without which all is vain.)
A - Available (Some are faithful, but they never seem to have time for extra ministry.)  
I - Initiative (Take note when you see someone serving without having been asked.)  
T - Teachable (Does the person have a humble heart? How does he frame questions or pose arguments?) H - Heart for God (This is the indispensible subjective, the passion and fire needed in a prophet of God.)

Pastor Olyott suggested one way of discerning leadership potential is to sit down and read a book together -- a book chosen by you fit for the level you think is good for the potential leader. Read a few paragraphs and discuss. Read and discuss. Read and discuss. Great practical tip!

3 responses:

David and Kristi Flinck said...

Thanks for posting this.
It was very helpful.

Kristin said...

Pastor Olyott's suggestion sounds like the Sonlight curriculum philosophy...love it!

Loren Fitzgerald said...

Thank you for sharing this.
I´ve been enjoying the blog very much. I am in total agreement with both your alcohol and your dancing assessments.
drop me a skype line sometime.

Buddy Fitzgerald