Transferring Leadership in Discipleship Ministry
A student run ministry only survives when the mantle of leadership is successfully passed from one leader to another. From the beginning of each semester, as a leader, you need to be on the lookout for who will replace you after you graduate or you know of gaps that are left because others are graduating/transferring. Once you identify the next leaders to be on the leadership team, you need to be intentional to disciple that person so they can take over the ministry.
Biblically, this is exactly what Jesus did with his disciples. Along with the Apostle Paul, they worked to multiply churches and disciples who would continue doing the ministry to spread the gospel and create churches everywhere. Today there is an estimated 2.1 billion Christians who encompass nearly a third of the world's population. It all started with the disciples and the early church in the New Testament.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2
“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
With each new school term, from the first week of classes, look for individuals who exhibit:
- Faithfulness in their attendance
- A Teachable heart
- Available and shows desire to help whenever they can
- Show signs of personal and emotional maturity
- Is a confirmed solid believer in Christ
As you see these traits in individuals who come to your meetings or Bible studies, begin the process of talking to them and prayerfully delegating small things to them at first. Then challenge them to larger things and see how they respond.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, once you sense this person will be a leader, intentionally and specifically challenge them to your leadership team, to become a Bible study leader, play a role in your weekly meetings or some other important part in your ministry.
Always keep the end in mind – look for the future leaders for your ministry every week.
