By Robert E. Logan and Tara Miller

A recent survey of churches asked the question, “What is your greatest need as a church?” Guess what the number one answer was? “Leadership development.”

And yet most pastors and churches don't yet have a clear path for developing leaders within our own congregations. We realize that what we’ve been doing is no longer working. But we’ve not yet found other workable alternatives.

From Followers to Leaders: The Path of Leadership Development in the Local Church, by Robert E. Logan and Tara Miller, sets forth a path for developing leaders that is simple, reproducible, and adaptable—something you can take and use in your ministry context.

What are the key elements of the Path?

The Parking Lot
Think of accomplishing ministry initiatives as hiking a path. To even get to the path, the motivation has to be there to leave the parking lot. The parking lot is where we sit and decide whether we want to make the journey up the path. What path do we want to travel and why? What are the costs? Will it be worth it to go there? Who will want to go with us? Those who decide the journey is worth it leave the parking lot and arrive at the trailhead.

The Trailhead
At the trailhead, our guide gives us an overview of the trail. Where exactly are we going? What kind of terrain can we expect along the way? Who else has made the decision to join us at the trailhead? What are the major milestones we will pass along the way? And then we confirm our decision to hike the trail by taking the first step.

The Trail
At the beginning, our guide leads the way. We follow, matching their pace, taking notice of their technique, imitating them. After all, they know this trail; they have hiked it before. The guide provides some initial direction. Soon, the instructions taper off and we are walking alongside the guide. We begin to gain confidence; we can do this. We check in with the guide only periodically now.

The Campfire
As we all sit down around a campfire ring, rehydrating with our water bottles, fellow journeyers begin asking each other questions: "How did you avoid that river?" "Where did you get those shoes?" Tips are exchanged and adapted to the needs of the hiker. The conversation becomes sprinkled with laughter as common struggles are shared-- and somehow seem less daunting in the sharing: "Oh, you struggled with that last hill too? I was afraid I'd be the only one out of shape." After dinner and sleep, we start out again next morning.

End of the Trail
At last we arrive at the destination. Everyone can feel the sense of accomplishment. "It was hard but we did it!" "Aren't you glad we didn't stay in
the parking lot?" "There were times I thought I wasn't going to stick with it, but 'm so glad I did." Congratulations are exchanged all around and energy is running high. We begin exchanging plans for future hikes. "Hey, I've always wanted to hike the Grand Canyon. I think that's next on my list." "What about you?" "Me? I want to take my friends along next time-- I bet they'd love this!"