If we’re honest about church ministry, we probably feel like members of a triage unit in emergency care. While discipling our church isn’t less than caring for people in crisis and correcting pervasive problems, it’s much more.
Jesus’s model of ministry is instructive for how we spend our working hours in ministry. While Jesus taught, counseled, and healed crowds of people, he also called twelve men to be his apostles and journey with him closely (Luke 6:12–16). From that group of leaders, he selected three men—Peter, James, and John—to spend even more time with and pour into at key moments throughout his ministry (Matt 17:1–13; Luke 8:49–56; Matt 26:36–46). Jesus spent time with the crowds, the twelve, and, even more purposefully, the three.
If we think about our churches in terms of who Jesus spent his time with, our congregations are like the crowds, and our leaders—whether staff or volunteers—are like the twelve. But next-level leaders who disciple other leaders in our churches are like the three.
When you think about your weekly hours in ministry, how much time do you spend discipling your “three”?
Many of us have a small group of people who are developing other leaders in our churches. How can we invest in them like Jesus poured into Peter, James, and John?
Before we can be intentional with our “three,” we must identify who they are. We don’t need to have exactly three people in mind, but it needs to be a small enough number for us to realistically spend quality time with them.
Maybe as you’ve been reading, some people have come to mind. Write down their names and consider whether they’re the people God’s calling you to lead like Jesus led Peter, James, and John. If you’re having trouble thinking of people, commit to spending time in various ministries in your church (youth, small groups, etc.) to discern who those high-level leaders might be. Every church is supported by people outside of traditional places of leadership, so explore how God has gifted your church.
It may sound dull or lack spontaneity, but don’t overthink this one. Spending regular, purposeful time with people is the primary means of discipleship. If we think that the impact we hope to have on our leaders can happen exclusively in the margins of our schedule, we'll be disappointed. We must acknowledge that our time as church leaders is limited.
Set reminders or events that prompt you to reach out to your leaders and schedule times to grab lunch, coffee, or spend time together after service—before even putting the actual get-together on the calendar. Get into a rhythm of being present with these leaders and ministering to them regularly.
This may be the most impactful way to pour into your leaders. While it’s important to consistently spend time with them, randomly sending them a text, calling them, or giving them a gift to show your appreciation goes a long way. It makes people feel like you don’t just care about what they do for you—you care about them.
They likely have a lot on their minds when they’re not doing ministry. Remembering that your leaders—even the best of your leaders—can be struggling with personal, spiritual, and emotional concerns can energize you to be proactive in encouraging them, not just reactive.
We all spend time praying for our church, and we probably feel like we need to spend even more time praying for our leaders. We not only need to pray for them as they lead their ministries, but also to pray for them in their various roles as family members, workers, children of God, and more.
Try to go beyond praying for your “three”—pray with them. Invite them to pray with you before service, over the phone, or at the same scheduled time together during the week. Partnering with them in prayer can strengthen your bond as followers of Jesus and demonstrate how vital prayer is to your ministry and theirs.
If you’re a decision-maker at your organization, request a free consultation to find out how RightNow Media can equip and inspire your people.
Not a decision-maker?
Tell your pastor about RightNow Media instead.
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