Generational Leadership Starts Now

Let's Talk about Legacy

In every generation God raises up leaders. They serve, build teams, carry weight and most work incredibly hard to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Yet there are many leaders who get to the end of their season in a particular role and have no one to hand over to - good leaders may get the job done but great leaders ensure the work can continue by raising up other leaders. And not just when the exit is in sight. Biblical leadership inherently has mulitplication constantly on its radar.

Paul wrote to Timothy (a leader he had been mentoring for many years)

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others" 2 Timothy 2:2

We need Leadership rooted in fruitfulness not fame.

The world often measures leadership by influence, recognition and the size of the platforms people speak from. But godly leadership is measured by consistent fruitful service. Jesus Himself redefined leadership when He said "Whoever wants to become great among you must be the servant of all" (Mark 10:43). A legacy of the leadership Jesus calls us to is shaped by servanthood, humility, promoting others above ourselves, loving others, bringing people to maturity in the faith and releasing them into their God-given gifts.

We need Leadership focused on Spiritual multiplication.

The Bible is filled with leaders preparing other leaders for leadership roles:

• Moses to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-8) Moses prepared Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land

• Lois and Eunice (Timothy's mother and grandmother) had a spiritual legacy into the leader Timothy became. Paul himself highlights their sincere faith laid a foundation in Timothy's ministry (2 Timothy 1:5)

• Elijah's prophetic mantle rested on Elisha, who continued the mission with even greater impact.

• Priscilla and Aquilla had input into Apollos' ministry. They realised he had a lack in his knowledge and spent time helping him to understand and grow (Acts 18:24-26).

Godly leaders don't simply focus on their own communities and ministries, they purposefully and intentionally invest into others.

When leaders fail to focus on consistently building and growing other leaders the results can be devastating. Judges 2:10 records "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel". An entire generation failed the next generation and failed God, they had lost sight of their purpose and left behind a far weaker and more vulnerable community than the one they had inherited. There are lessons there for us all.

4 Practical Ways to Build Legacy into your Leadership now.

1. Develop leaders intentionally - identify and nurture leaders now. For instance, if you lead a team you can identify two potential deputy leaders and begin to include them in your decision-making processes, begin to release small responsibilities into their care, grow their capacity and their ability to think as a leader. Ministries grow larger when they have more leaders involved.

2. Create a leadership development programme - regular input with structured meetings with space to ask questions will help up-and-coming leaders immensely. There are some great books you can study together, podcasts you can watch and then discuss etc. There are so many great Christian leadership tools you can utilise, just set some dates and invite those you want to develop.

3. Ensure no church, ministry or department rests on one person. Make it a practise for every ministry team to have a leader and a deputy leader. Every connect group to have a leader and a deputy leader and so on. And then ensure they create teams that are running the ministries under the leadership and guidance of those leaders. Ephesians 4:11-16 make it very clear that team leadership was always God's idea, we need diversity of gift at the table.

4. Eliminate 'one man band' mindsets. Even if someone has a particular vision of a specific ministry, teaching the vital importance of multiplication in leadership ensures these ministries last beyond one person's lifetime.

Every leader has a choice - to build something that ends with them or to work hard to ensure it will endure beyond them.

We must lead today knowing we will not be the leaders of the future. We have a responsibility to ensure those that take up the responsibilities after we leave a role are fully equipped and ready to run with whatever is placed in their hands. Seasons change, roles change, sometimes locations change but the Kingdom of God must advance and grow. Let's be leaders with a legacy mindset no matter how old or young we are.

BONUS: Don't forget to check out our Rise Legacy Masterclass with Cathie Ostapchuk being interviewed by Keely Morley - it is insightful and incredibly helpful. Just go to our masterclass page where there are many great online masterclasses available for you.