Leadership Development - Some additional Characteristics to Look for in Emerging Leaders (2)

     This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

Our topic for 2026 is Leadership Development. In my past three episodes, I’ve shared some characteristics that I look for in potential emerging leaders. The two that are most important to me are an identity firmly rooted in Jesus Christ and humility.

Today, I want to share some thoughts about three additional qualities I look for in emerging leaders. These are a personality that others enjoy being with, their reputation (both inside the church and with people outside the church), and a strong Christ-centered marriage (if they are married).

This brings us to 10 characteristics that I look for in new or emerging leaders. Now, before moving forward, I want to emphasize that leadership development is an ongoing process and early on it is unrealistic to expect to find someone who is exemplary in all 10 of these traits. I will address this reality in my next podcast.

To elaborate further on these three characteristics, I think you can see that

* Someone who is unpleasant to be around is unlikely to gather followers. So, as I observe people, I like to see if they are the type of person to whom people are attracted or if they tend to drive people away. If it’s the latter, then they are not likely to be a good candidate for leadership. The fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 includes “love, joy, peace, forbearance (or patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  Every one of these relates to how a person interacts with others.

* Related to this, I like to learn about their reputation. Are they well-regarded by their spiritual leaders and those in the Church? Do they have good standing with their employer, their supervisor, or community leaders? In 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul gave these qualifications for church leaders. “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.” (3:7) Those with a good reputation (or a good track record as I’ve shared in a previous podcast) are less likely to fall into disgrace and negatively impact their church or organization.

* And, finally, do they have a strong, Christ-centered marriage?  Earlier in 1 Timothy 3, Paul said, “Now the overseer is to be above reproach and faithful to his wife…” (3:2)  Whenever possible, I like to visit a prospective leaders’ home or at least spend time with him or her and their family as a lot can be learned by these observations.  

  This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.