As Jesus and the Apostles demonstrated, the key to advancing Christ’s Kingdom through both churches and parachurch organisations is through effective leadership. This Master Class will cover key principles in the following areas: developing yourself as a leader; establishing key priorities and roles; building and positioning a team; motivating and encouraging your staff and volunteers; delegation and training; setting your vision, mission, and strategy; communications and fundraising; building effective organisational systems and structures; avoiding and dealing with relationship failure.
1. Developing Yourself as a Leader and Establishing Your Key Priorities and Roles
Build a strong devotional life centred on God’s Word, invest in your family, and emulate godly leaders. Enhance your growth through leadership resources, mentorship, and learning through life’s challenges. Take control of your daily routine, protect your mind by focusing on positive and helpful inputs, and understand your unique gifts and strengths. Align your efforts with your personal calling and purpose to maximise impact and fulfilment.
2. Building and Positioning Your Team and Motivating Them to Perform
Pray for God to raise up workers and carefully select faithful, capable people for your team. Surround yourself with strong leaders, build an effective top team, and take time to choose the best individuals for key roles. Prioritise developing your team by recognising their unique gifts, encouraging them, and providing the training, support, and resources they need. Use reverse mentoring to gain insights, remove obstacles, and motivate your team by giving them credit for success while taking personal responsibility for failures.
3. Delegating, Empowering, and Setting a Clear Direction for Your Team
Focus on tasks only you can do and delegate the rest to empower others, increasing productivity and freeing yourself for other responsibilities. Provide clear roles, boundaries, and training while celebrating others’ successes and taking joy in equipping them to excel, even beyond your role. Know your vision, mission, and strategy clearly, keeping them focused, memorable, and aligned with your goals. Communicate them consistently, resist distractions, and prioritise building a strong team to achieve them effectively.
4. Communication, Fundraising, and Building Effective Systems and Structures
Develop a clear, regular communication strategy with compelling stories that highlight the problem, your vision, the strategy, and specific financial needs. Tailor your approach to different audiences, make giving easy, and proactively invest in fundraising while regularly reporting back and showing gratitude for support, trusting in God’s provision. Separate governance and ministry, with the board setting policy and strategy while the CEO and team deliver. Organise your team with clear roles, build effective systems with capable people, and carefully plan major projects, including financial considerations.
5. Avoiding and Dealing with Relationship Failure
Address team crises promptly and stay calm under pressure, while holding yourself accountable. Foster a supportive environment by avoiding frustration and jealousy, and invest in key relationships with grace and understanding. Recognise that relationship breakdowns are not the end; there is often a path to reconciliation and restoration.
