Every church and organization constantly looks for leaders and never finds enough.  But finding leaders always happens on purpose.

Here are simple priorities that will help you find the leaders you’re looking for:

Pray for leaders.

We are not talent scouts.  Jesus said to pray to the Lord of the harvest for workers (Matthew 9:38).  Only God can raise up servant-leaders.  Seek Him before you seek anyone else.

Invest in people.

Love people no matter who they are or what skills they appear to have.  Until you know someone you really have no idea what God is doing in their life.

Intentionally enlist potential leaders.

Many leaders stand out.  You can spot them a mile away.  Other potential leaders need encouragement.  But no matter who they are or how they are wired, you must ask them to join you.

Model servant-leadership.

Don’t expect potential leaders to read your mind.  People do what people see.  So show them how to serve.

Equip leaders.

Much is caught, but much is also taught.  Take time to sit down and communicate.  Share key principles.  Speak into their lives.  And provide specific nuts-and-bolt information and insight about their role.

Share leadership.

Delegation is a great thing, but the fastest way to defeat a new leader is to abandon them as soon as they begin serving.  Walk with them.  Give them rope, but hold the rope.

Empower leaders.

Once you have clarified their role, equipped them, and walked with them for a while, then let the leader do their job.  Bless them.  Cheer them on.  And then watch them grow.

Encourage leaders.

Now it gets tough.  After all you have done to train up this leader, you will soon discover that she has a mind of her own.  Leaders often don’t do things the way we did them.  Avoid micro managing, get out of the way, and let them lead.

Release leaders.

We do not find leaders so that we can keep them.  We catch and we release.  Leaders are tough to find, but they are really tough to let go.  But you have to do it.  The mission is too big to be selfish with our best people.

How are you finding and developing leaders in your church?  Comment below.