Ep. 020 | Leading Leaders in the Local Church
Understanding Church Leadership Development
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Jason Allison on How to Develop Leaders in Your Church
April 15, 2025
Episode 20 Show Notes
Leading Leaders in the Local Church with Jason Allison
Episode Overview
In this episode, Bart interviews Jason Allison about the challenges and opportunities of leading leaders in normative-sized churches. Jason shares insights from his extensive experience working with churches through multiple organizations and provides practical guidance for pastors looking to develop leaders rather than just delegate tasks.
Who is Jason Allison?
Jason Allison serves in multiple roles supporting church leaders:
Director of Church Strengthening for Converge Mid-Atlantic
Staff member at a church plant near Columbus, Ohio
Founder of the Church Talk Project and host of the Church Talk Podcast
Vision Day consultant for Ninety-Five Network
Key Discussion Points
Understanding Church Leadership Development
Most normative-sized churches (50-500 members) struggle with leading leaders
Clear distinction between delegation and development
Biblical mandate to equip saints for ministry (Ephesians 4)
Leadership Development Framework
Progression of church involvement:
Attender (primary function: learning)
Volunteer (primary function: serving)
Task Team Leader (organizing and administration)
Group Leader
Leader of Leaders (shepherding responsibility)
Common Challenges in Leadership Development
Pastors doing everything themselves because it's "easier"
Focus on delegation without development
Lack of clear vision and values
Time constraints for both pastor and potential leaders
The "tyranny of Sunday" - constant pressure of weekly responsibilities
Practical Steps for Leading Leaders
1. Starting Point
Clarify your disciple-making vision
Spend time observing people in action
Start with just two potential leaders (not twelve)
Invest in your own leadership growth
2. Development Process
Move beyond simple task delegation
Follow the discipleship journey:
I do, you watch
I do, you help
You do, I help
You do, I cheer
3. Setting Goals and Metrics
Define clear objectives beyond task completion
Establish key performance indicators
Regular evaluation and debriefing
Build accountability into systems
Tips for Success
Start small and go slow
Honor current leaders while developing new ones
Focus on vision alignment
Don't be afraid to let people try and learn
Remember many people are eager for mentoring
Words of Encouragement for Pastors
Don't be afraid despite challenging times
Remember you have the message of hope
Focus on serving Jesus, not just people
Keep going even when things seem dark
Resources and Contact Information
Church Talk Podcast (available on major streaming platforms)
Website: churchtalkproject.com
Email: jason@churchtalkproject.com
Converge Mid-Atlantic: convergemidatlantic.com