The comprehensive guide to identifying, training, and releasing leaders who multiply. Build a sustainable leadership pipeline for exponential kingdom impact.
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
— 2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV)
4 Generations: Paul → Timothy → Faithful Men → Others Also
The Kingdom advances through multiplication, not addition. One leader raising 10 leaders who each raise 10 more creates exponential impact.
Addition grows linearly. Multiplication grows exponentially. Jesus invested in 12 who turned the world upside down.
Movements that depend on one person die when that person leaves. Leadership pipelines create sustainability.
Your legacy is not what you accomplish. It's who you raise up to continue the work after you're gone.
A proven, biblical process for developing and releasing leaders at every level of your ministry
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Recognize potential leaders in your community
Faithfully serves in small things (Luke 16:10)
Demonstrates teachable spirit and humility
Shows consistent spiritual growth over time
Exercises natural influence among peers
Exhibits servant heart in daily interactions
Displays integrity in private and public life
Responds well to correction and feedback
Shows initiative without needing constant direction
Observe people serving in various capacities for 30+ days
Ask questions: "Who do others naturally look to for guidance?"
Look for those who arrive early and stay late to serve
Notice who takes ownership of problems without being asked
Pay attention to who invests in relationships intentionally
"Let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless."
— 1 Timothy 3:10 (KJV)
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."
— Luke 16:10 (KJV)
A comprehensive, month-by-month training plan covering identity, character, skills, and multiplication
Identity, Character & Biblical Framework
Write out 20 identity statements from Scripture
Complete spiritual gifts assessment
Draft a personal mission statement (1-2 sentences)
Interview 3 people who know you well about strengths
Journal daily on "How did I see God work through me today?"
Establish weekly accountability with mentor
Create personal budget and financial accountability
Identify top 3 character areas for growth
Practice confessing failures to build trust
Read: "The Making of a Leader" by Bobby Clinton
Memorize Romans Road or 3 Circles Gospel presentation
Write a 2-page personal theology statement
Study life of Joseph or Daniel for suffering/leadership
Practice sharing Gospel with 3 people
Read: "The Master Plan of Evangelism" by Robert Coleman
Learn from these mistakes before you make them. Each pitfall includes biblical wisdom and practical solutions.
Elevating someone to leadership before character is proven
Expecting leaders to lead exactly like you do
Not allowing them to struggle, fail, and learn
Prioritizing ministry investment over leader's family health
Assuming they know what success looks like
Assigning tasks but not empowering decision-making
Avoiding difficult conversations to maintain relationship
Only providing feedback when things go wrong
Scripture provides multiple examples of leaders raising leaders. Study how they applied the 4-stage pipeline.
Exodus 17:8-13, Numbers 27:18-23, Deuteronomy 31:7-8
1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2:1-15
Mark 3:13-15, Luke 9:1-6, John 13:1-17, Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 16:1-3, 1 Tim 1:2, 2 Tim 1:6, 2 Tim 2:2
Acts 9:26-27, Acts 11:25-26, Acts 13:1-3
Planning for leadership transition ensures ministry continuity and prevents crisis. Start preparing your replacement today.
Every leader should be working themselves out of a job
Healthy organizations have a leadership pipeline, not just a single leader
Succession planning prevents crisis and preserves ministry momentum
The best time to develop your replacement is when you don't need one
Identify 2-3 potential successors and begin investing
Expose them to increasing levels of responsibility
Include them in strategic planning and decision-making
Begin transitioning relationships and key stakeholder connections
Clarify and announce succession plan to key leaders
Have successor shadow you in all major responsibilities
Begin co-leading meetings and making joint decisions
Transfer key relationships and external connections
Successor leads with you as advisor/coach
Publicly affirm their leadership to the broader community
Document processes, systems, and institutional knowledge
Address any concerns or resistance to the transition
Official commissioning/installation ceremony
Step back and allow them to lead in their own style
Remain available for counsel but not daily decisions
Celebrate what God is doing through the new leader
Quarterly check-ins for encouragement and perspective
Resist urge to critique or second-guess decisions
Champion their leadership publicly
Find your next assignment/calling
One size doesn't fit all. Adapt your approach based on your ministry context while maintaining biblical principles.
Rapid identification and deployment of leaders
Example:
CPM movements in China, India - every believer a potential house church leader
Structured development with formal credentialing
Example:
Associate pastor → senior pastor pathway, seminary education
Cultural intelligence and adaptive leadership
Example:
Multiethnic leadership teams, indigenous leadership in immigrant churches
Age-appropriate development with peer leadership
Example:
Student leadership teams, small group leaders, campus missionaries
Bi-vocational leadership development
Example:
Business professionals leading Bible studies, workplace chaplaincy
The resources on this page give you the framework. Now it's time to identify your first 1-3 potential leaders and begin investing.
Identify 1-3 potential leaders using the assessment framework
Schedule weekly meeting time to begin the investment phase
Download the 12-month curriculum and start Month 1 training