Intentionality in Leadership Development, Part 2

By Paul Barreca. Read Part 1.

Seek Seekers

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul instructed Timothy to entrust the truths that had been taught by Paul and other spiritual leaders to “faithful men.” Finding these men is a vital part of an intentional plan to train men for ministry. Which men are to be trained? Jesus and Paul provide an example.

At the first call of the disciples at the Jordan (Jn 1:35-51), Jesus called spiritual seekers who had journeyed into the wil­derness to hear the preaching of John the Baptist. Before Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael were called by Christ, they were disciples of John.

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:35–36)

These men were searching for spiritual truth when Jesus called them. In the same chapter, Jesus spoke high­ly of Nathanael’s character. “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” (Jn 1:47). Ministry leaders should learn from the example of Jesus when choosing men to develop for future ministry. Jesus chose those who were seekers.

In a similar way, Paul invited Timothy to travel with him so that he could train Timothy for future ministry. This invitation occurred when Timothy first heard Paul’s message in Lystra (Ac 16:1-3). Timothy must have remembered the training he received from Paul when he read Paul’s command to “train faithful men” (2Ti 2:2). This training begins by identifying those who are seeking spiritu­al truth. A young man’s spiritual interest is a key indicator for church leaders who are seeking men to train for the ministry.

Observe God’s Natural World

The greatest moments of growth in the lives of men whom I have taught did not happen in church services or even in men’s Bible studies. They happened on mission trips, camping trips, wilderness adventures, and during other moments where men were able to let their guard down and communicate honestly. Other teachable moments occurred when work­ing alongside men and their sons, doing projects around the church, building things, landscaping, and laboring togeth­er. God instilled into men the desire and the command to work and to have dominion over his creation (Ge 1:28). Pastors will gain the respect of the men in their congregations by joining with them in physical labor. Granted, not all pastors are skilled in the trades, but there are few who cannot dig a hole, rake leaves, stack chairs, or help on moving day. Leaders who are unable to engage in strenuous physical labor can find creative ways to connect with other men in God’s natural world. I know of one ministry leader who is not a hunter, but still joins men in his church on hunting trips so that he can be there to mentor them for future leader­ship. He stays back at the cabin preparing dinner and is there for times of conversa­tion and Bible study around the table and the campfire. He adjusts his preferences so that he can invest in the lives of men, helping prepare them to lead their fami­lies and the Lord’s church.

As a young pastor, I discovered that wilderness ministry is a powerful tool for men, fathers and sons, and youth groups. I learned these outdoor skills late in my life. I was into my thirties before I was adequately trained and confident enough to lead trips in the wild. I quickly shared this acquired knowledge with other church leaders. Together, we led dozens of canoe trips in the Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada, hiking trips on the Appalachian Trail, and other camping and outdoor adventures.

Getting men out of their comfort zone and into God’s creation exposed areas of need and provided the time and the envi­ronment where God reshaped their lives. God broke through the walls of defense and isolation behind which many men hide. One man struggled to complete a trail because of his excessively heavy pack. He brought numerous comfort items (including a cast-iron skillet!) despite instructions to travel lightly. His back­pack illustrated his life which was filled with frivolous material possessions which hindered his ability to serve God. He shared his story at the campfire that night. The group encouraged him and stepped forward to carry his extra weight, demon­strating the power when fellow Christians “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). Teachable moments like this are invaluable in train­ing men for ministry and leadership.

Teach by your example. The disci­ples learned to pray by watching Jesus pray. They learned to teach by listen­ing to the Great Teacher. They learned compassion by observing Jesus touch a leper, call the children, and speak to a woman from Samaria. The men whom we train for ministry will learn more from our example than they will from our sermons. This is connected to the “life-on-life” discipleship mentioned above. Spiritual disciplines and ministry priorities are best taught when they are seen in action. These moments reinforce the preaching from the pulpit and dem­onstrate that godliness governs every aspect of our lives.

On-the-Job Training

Jesus entrusted his disciples with ministry responsibilities from the onset of their time with him. A.B. Bruce observes,

He (Jesus) inculcated on His disciples a large-hearted generous concern for the spiritual well-being of men. To foster such a spirit, He sent the twelve on this trial mission, even when they were comparatively unfit­ted for the work, and notwithstanding the risk of spiritual harm to which it exposed them.*

Christ’s example dem­onstrates that training men for ministry will require spiritual leaders to entrust them with increased responsibilities and allow them to learn through the painful process of trial and error.

The task of proclaiming the gospel and equipping the church is too large to do alone. New pastors, missionaries, and evangelists are needed now and will continue to be needed as current church leaders pass the ministry on to others. The Lord will honor those leaders who are committed to training faithful men by modeling a godly lifestyle, leading their families well, identifying those who are seeking spiritual truth, practic­ing life-on-life discipleship, reaching young people with challenging ministry opportunities, utilizing God’s natural world, teaching by example, and provid­ing on-the-job training. By practicing these principles, future leaders will be raised up in abundance and will fulfill God’s call to proclaim the gospel and strengthen the Church.