Follow me.

Jesus selected Matthew to be an apostle. (Luke 5)

Jesus selected the other 11 as well. (Luke 6)

How would you have felt if Jesus had not selected you…?

What is your strategy for developing leaders?

Consider ‘Intentional Apprenticing’ as a strategy.

Apprenticing is: selecting, modeling, and coaching for the purpose of replacing yourself.

Jesus’ approach:

1. Jesus began with succession in mind — We often wait too long.
2. He hand-picked those to whom he would entrust his mission. He didn’t ask for volunteers.
3. He rarely did ministry alone. But…
4. He often gave his disciples opportunities to do ministry alone while he was still around to debrief. (Luke 9)

We think we’re too busy to take on apprentices.

We tend to think:

But I’m not an expert —

• We will never feel like we are adequately prepared to apprentice another leader — if we do, we’re arrogant.
• We are not responsible for knowing everything there is to know about our field; or even more than everyone else.
• We are responsible for passing along what we know to someone else — we should strive to empty our cup as many times as possible.
• Our responsibility is to replace ourselves!

But what will I do?

• In a healthy organization, if your replace yourself, you will always have place.
• In an unhealthy org… Why would you stay?

Two probably outcomes:

1. You become a multi-site leader.
2. You become a multi-generational leader.

Application:

• Hire for the future — Young and smart.
• Don’t work alone: interview, budget, innovate, prepare — invite others into the process. Never work alone. Preferential treatment is preferred.
• Remember your MEDs
• Model – here’s what I do it.
• Explain — here’s why I do it.
• Demonstrate — here’s how I do it

Replace yourself.

Success is ultimately measured by whether or not we leave our responsibilities to someone more capable and passionate than ourselves.