Growing Leaders at Central Manor Church by Steve Scoffone
The church needs leaders! Of course, we need pastors, elders, and deacons, but that is only the beginning. We need parents who lead their families. We need people to lead our Life Groups and teach our Adult Sunday Classes. We need people to serve and lead with our children and youth. We also need leaders for our women and men’s ministries. And don’t forget that we need people to lead our church committees. The bottom line is that a church can never have too many leaders.
John C. Maxell is a well-known author, coach, and speaker. He says that “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” Christians are called to be influencers. We are called to witness for Christ and make disciples. Jesus said that His followers are to be salt and light in the world. All Christians have opportunities to serve and lead either in their family, the church, the community, or the world. But just because we have influence doesn’t mean that we are good leaders.
Leadership must be cultivated. We must grow in the character of a godly leader. We must learn and develop skills to lead others for Jesus. We must learn to use our gifts to influence others.
This fall we will start a leadership program called “Equip.” The Apostle Paul wrote that God gave pastors and teachers to the church to “equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) This Fall we will start with two new seminars. Each will be about 75 minutes long. This program is open to anyone who wants to grow as a leader.
Here are the first two topics…
October: “The Gospel-Centered Leader” – This seminar will explore how the gospel is not just for unbelievers. Christians need to learn how to grow in the gospel. We need to learn how to preach the gospel to ourselves and to one another. The goal is to have a gospel-centered church, with gospel-centered teaching and gospel-centered discipleship. The gospel helps us avoid legalism, develop authentic relationships, resolve conflicts, and serve together in unity.
November: “Mentoring 101” – Jesus told us to make disciples of all nations. He did not command us to make believers but disciples. New Christians need to be discipled to learn how to walk with Jesus. Older Christians need mentors to grow in their faith and service. God wants us all to grow to be mature and equipped followers of Christ. This seminar will explore some Biblical principles of making disciples and will help you learn how to start a mentoring relationship.
Stay tuned for the dates and times of these seminars.
