Leadership Development - Director Claude's Thoughts Regarding the Leadership Development Process - 1

 

     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. Over the past two months, I shared 10 characteristics that I look for in potential emerging leaders. Today, I want to begin to examine the process of leadership development. To do so, one morning over breakfast together, I asked Director Claude a series of questions.

I began by asking him to explain how he helps potential new leaders. His first comment is that he asks them many questions, and he listens well to how they answer. As he does this, he begins to understand their strengths and their weaknesses. Having this knowledge, he is then able to begin to know what assignments to give them. As they work on those assignments, he observes them carefully.

I asked how he determines the best assignments for emerging leaders. How does he find the right balance between assignments they can complete easily - which builds their confidence - compared with assignments that are more challenging but will help them acquire new skills?

Claude told me that regarding the latter type of assignments he likes to give responsibilities that will be helpful for someone's job or role. He gave the examples of writing a report or some computer-related task. He prefers to provide emerging leaders the opportunity to learn and grow in their skills. Once again, he observes closely how they do with these assignments. If they need help, he will coach them or he will connect them with someone who is able to help them better understand.

At this point, I asked him specifically how he helps the VCP supervisors grow as leaders. He offered three examples of helping them grow both as spiritual leaders and in their skills.

* Director Claude frequently asks the supervisors how well they know their coordinators. Proverbs 27:23 says that leaders are to "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds..." As leaders, we are like shepherds who must attend to the needs of those who follow us, and in order to do so, we must know how they are doing.

* Director Claude also helps supervisors know how to do important things like submitting receipts. He shares from his experience and encourages them to be attentive to this.

* A third skill he teaches is how to create budgets. This is another practical skill.

As I listened to Director Claude, I observed a common theme in the way that he develops leaders. He listens much, and he observes much. I will say that again. He listens much, and he observes much.

As we are intentional to develop emerging leaders, we must not rush; we must be patient.

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