Developing Leaders-Influence

The second most important development area in the life as a leader, is in the influence of others. One is only a leader, if they have followers. If no one is following a person, then that person is not a leader. To be a leader is to influence others in a certain direction or towards a certain vision. As a leader, a shepherd in the church, to influence others then is to equip them for their life in Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-13, “and He gave…the shepherds and teachers [to the church] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood”. Leader's must develop their ability to equip the saints, to influence them to works of serving God. Simply put, leaders must develop their disciple making skills, so that a leader makes disciples who make disciples. And developing this part of leader means to grow in teaching skills, serving skills, and loving skills. As character grows then leaders must partner it with a growth in gifts.

But influencing others, in leadership, also means that leaders must develop their shepherding skills. Jesus was the perfect shepherd. To serve Him and lead in His church, is to also be a shepherd for the people of God. Joshua, a growing influencing leader was told by Christ Himself, “only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you” (Joshua 1:7). This verse point to the fact that a leader, as part of influencing and shepherding others, must have strength and courage. This is a critical area that every leader, including myself, must grow and develop. Shepherding the people of God means wolves, stubborn sheep, and valleys of death, must be faced with courage. As part of influencing others then, a leader must develop the courage and strength to make the hard choices and lead the people in the face of all opposition and brokenness.