Help! How Do I Develop Leaders?

Hey… it’s Brett!

I had a chance to catch up with one of the best leaders I know, Ben Narayanan from Avant Life Church in Vancouver. We talked all about how to spot and develop young leaders.

This is a can’t miss conversation.

I break it all down with action steps and key takeaways… so happy watching, and reading… and if this has helped you, would you mind sharing this email with another Pastor or Leader? Thanks again for leading well!

Let’s be real—ministry is a team sport. No matter how gifted or anointed you are, if you’re doing it alone, you’re doing it wrong.

That’s why leadership development isn’t optional—it’s essential. If we want to see the church grow, if we want to see communities transformed, and if we want to raise up the next generation of leaders, we have to get serious about building a leadership pipeline.

This is exactly what Pastor Ben from Avant Life Church talked about in our leadership conversation. He’s living proof that you CAN build and trust leaders, that you CAN step away for weeks at a time, and that your church won’t just survive—it will thrive.

So how do we do it? How do we build a leadership pipeline that actually works?

Let’s break it down.

Key Takeaways for Leadership Development

1. Don’t Wait for Leaders to be “Ready”

Pastor Ben shared how his lead pastor gave him an opportunity before he was qualified. He didn’t wait for him to have all the skills—he gave him the chance to grow into leadership.

🔥 Big lesson: You don’t qualify leaders before you give them an opportunity. You qualify them through the opportunity.

🚀 Action Step: Stop waiting for perfect leaders to appear. Start investing in people who have potential, not just polished skills.

2. Look for These Three Qualities in Leaders

Skills can be trained, but character is everything. When looking for future leaders, Pastor Ben said he focuses on three qualities:

✅ Observant – Do they notice what’s happening around them? Are they aware of needs, gaps, and opportunities?

✅ Intentional – Do they act on what they see? Are they stepping up without being asked?

✅ Analytical – Are they thinking through decisions? Are they learning from their experiences?

🔥 Big lesson: A leader doesn’t need to be the loudest person in the room—they need to be the most intentional.

🚀 Action Step: Start watching for these traits in your church. Who is stepping up? Who is paying attention? That’s where you start investing.

3. Leadership Development is a Relational Process

Leadership isn’t just about skills and strategies—it’s about relationship and proximity.

Before calling someone into leadership, get close to them. Build trust. Break down their misconceptions about leadership being “superhuman.” Let them see that leading is about pursuit, not perfection.

🔥 Big lesson: Leadership isn’t a program—it’s a process that happens through relationship.

🚀 Action Step: Identify three to four potential leaders in your church and start spending time with them intentionally. No agenda. No title. Just investment.

4. Leadership Development Isn’t Just for Big Churches

Let’s talk to the solo pastors for a second. You might feel like developing leaders is for big churches with big staffs. But the truth is, smaller churches actually have an advantage.

Smaller churches are:

✔️ More flexible

✔️ More relational

✔️ Less stuck in systems and structures

You don’t need a fancy pipeline. You need to start investing in people.

🔥 Big lesson: You don’t find leaders—you build them. Start where you are, with who you have.

🚀 Action Step: Pick three people in your congregation to invest in over the next six months. No title. No pressure. Just mentorship.

It’s Time to Build Leaders Who Build the Church

The future of the church depends on leaders who are willing to invest in others. Your legacy isn’t just what you do—it’s who you raise up.

So, let’s get practical. Start watching. Start investing. Start trusting.

Your church doesn’t need you to do everything. It needs you to build people who can carry the vision forward.

🔥 Who in your church needs an opportunity to lead? What’s one step you can take today to start raising up leaders?

Let’s go. The future is in the hands of the leaders you develop today. 🚀

Would love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment and let’s talk leadership! 🙌🔥

From Brett’s Leadership Library…

I recently shared a couple of books that have been game changers for me! In fact, the feedback that I’m already hearing from Pastors and Leaders about Unreasonable Hospitality is so encouraging!

So here’s what I’m going to do… I’m going to keep dropping book recommendations for you, but I need your help! Reply to this email and let me know about which book has been the most beneficial and how it has helped you!

So here my latest recommendation! MINDSHIFT by Erwin McManus.

IT’S TIME FOR A MIND SHIFT

Let’s be real—the biggest thing holding you back in ministry isn’t your church size, your budget, or your location… it’s your mindset.

That’s why you NEED to read Mindshift by Erwin McManus. This book will wreck your excuses, challenge your thinking, and push you to step into the future God has for you.

🔥 Key Takeaways for Pastors:

💡 You’re not stuck—your thinking is. Ministry roadblocks aren’t always external. Most of the time, it’s our own mindset that’s keeping us from moving forward.

🔄 Change isn’t the enemy. The world is shifting, culture is shifting—and the church needs to shift too. Not in truth, but in how we engage, lead, and innovate.

🚀 Risk is the doorway to revival. Playing it safe has never changed the world. God’s best for you is on the other side of a faith-filled step.

🔥 Action Step: Challenge Your Thinking

📌 Write down one limiting belief you’ve been carrying in ministry. Maybe it’s:

❌ “I’m not a strong enough leader.”

❌ “Our church will never grow.”

❌ “I don’t have what it takes.”

Now, FLIP IT. What if that’s a lie? What if the truth is:

✅ “God has equipped me for this moment.”

✅ “Our church has everything we need to reach people.”

✅ “I am exactly where God wants me, and He’s not done yet.”

Your mind determines your ministry.

So think bigger. Believe bigger. Lead bolder.

It’s time for a mind shift. Let’s go! 🚀🔥

***LEADERSHIP LIBRARY RECOMMENDATIONS***

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

Join for free today!