The 5 Steps of Leadership Development


From the book Exponential by Dave & Jon Ferguson (check out page 64, Dave told me to do this):

The Five Steps of Leadership Development.

1.  I do.  You watch.  We talk.
2.  I do.  You help.  We talk.
3.  You do.  I help.  We talk.
4.  You do.  I watch.  We talk.
5.  You do.  Someone else watches. (The apprentice begins to develop  a new apprentice)

"Ideally, the leader who has developed and released several apprentices will continue to work with those leaders in a coaching capacity."

Lately, I've been thinking about how we have somehow turned this idea of being a "disciple" into meaning being a "consumer."  Isn't it true that in most churches where discipleship is a priority (or at least a buzz word), that what is meant by this term is: "come sit in a class, or a small group, or even 1-on-1, and someone will teach you the importance of prayer, Bible study, Holy Communion, baptism, etc.?"  Could Ferguson be correct, and "apprentice" is actually a better term for what we are to become and reproduce?  Following Jesus is about more than tagging-along; its about learning do what Jesus did (does).  Hasn't it always been about that?

Jesus said, "The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father." (John 14:12 NLT)  Jesus reproduced who He was (is), and what He did (does)... and said we would do even greater things!  Shouldn't we be following this leadership design in His church?

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