If you’ve been around Hiawatha Church for any amount of time, you probably know that we value developing leaders. It’s a part of our DNA and by God’s grace we’ve been able to invest, equip, and install dozens and dozens of leaders both inside the church (community group leaders, elders, deacons, ministry leaders, HLI teachers, youth group leaders, etc.) and outside (managers, entrepreneurs, business owners, coaches, teachers, church planters, global missionaries, those in the parachurch world, and more). We desire to see all of our people use their time, talents, and treasure to lead people to the gospel in their circles of influence.
We’ve seen the Spirit use our ministry to not just create a culture where members desire to use their gifts to strengthen the church but also where many sacrifice, value, and pursue leadership not for their own gain but for the building up of Christ’s church and the spread of his gospel. Unlike the world around us, the goal of Christian leadership is not fame, power, or importance but rather to use one’s leadership for the flourishing, health, and spiritual growth of others.
Before we answer the how to get started question, we first need to answer the question of why. Why put so much time, energy, resources, staff hours, and ministry bandwidth into developing leaders? New leaders will make mistakes, be unexperienced, and won’t get the results of competent, veteran leaders. It will be messy and imperfect.
Why we develop leaders at Hiawatha Church
Our calling as a church is to equip the saints (all Christians within our church) for the work of the ministry and to build up the church.
And he himself [Jesus] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. - Ephesians 4:11-13
As the creator and author of the church (which he even calls his own body), Jesus gives each part/member of the body unique roles and callings. This includes leadership. Yet unlike how leadership is often done in our culture, Jesus gives the church leaders for the sake of building up those within the church (2 Cor. 10:8). He could chose to do it all invisibly through the Spirit just downloading holiness and growth into us without any humans necessary but instead he desires to use his people. And, while this means it will be messy and imperfect, because it is his plan and by His power, it is also glorious.
The work of the ministry and leadership is not just for those who are called pastor or who get paid by the church. All Christians are called to ministry. Every Christian is given a spiritual gift to care for, serve, and strengthen the church. So as we empower and train all kinds of leaders within Hiawatha, the Spirit will in turn use them to equip the saints to do ministry and to build up the body of Christ.
Are you interested in leadership at Hiawatha Church? Here’s 5 ways to get started.
Take some of our HLI courses. One of the main ministries we offer at Hiawatha is called the Hiawatha Leadership Institute (HLI). It consists of courses (semester long, year long, and J-term), a few half-day Saturday seminars, and our internship program. Like the name communicates, one of the main goals of HLI is to train up and empower leaders. These classes are for everyone and especially important for those who are in leadership or hope to be one day. In these courses we teach people to read and interpret the Bible, learn Christian doctrine, practically apply gospel-truth to all areas of life, and much more.
Start serving, volunteering, and using your gifts now. You don’t need an official title or ministry to begin to influence others. Leaders almost always start off by serving where there is a need, volunteering their time and energy, and using their spiritual gifts as the Spirit leads. Often, over time, others will see and affirm how the Spirit is moving, giving the person more confidence and clarity if they should consider and pursue some type of leadership. No one just jumps right into leadership without first serving and giving of themselves to build up others.
Ask your community group leaders how you can help. One of the most tangible ways you can begin to experience some type of leadership is by helping out within your community group. Ask your current leaders what they need help with (hosting, bringing snacks, leading prayer, giving someone a ride, connecting with someone in the group, etc.) and offer to do it. Start small, be intentional, and help serve the people that God has placed in your life. If it goes well, ask your leaders for more opportunities as well as ways for you to grow and get better.
Let other leaders, staff, and pastors know of your interest. Our church continues to grow numerically as God brings us more people. This is great in many ways, yet also means that the pastors, leaders, and staff don’t know everyone super well. It means that more than ever, we need to hear from those who are interested in leadership. Yes, we will notice it in some people and pursue them but much of the time someone’s journey into leadership starts with them telling us their interest and desire. So let a trusted leader in your life know your interest in leadership, begin a conversation with them, and ask them what they think.
Consider an internship. If you feel strongly about wanting to grow in your leadership ability and opportunities, you might also want to consider out internship program. If you can give 10+ hours a week to courses, training, serving, as well as mentoring and coaching from our staff and pastors, then an internship might be a good option for you. We offer an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) shaped around your ministry/leadership goals which will includes courses, ministry/leadership opportunities, and feedback, mentorship and coaching from Hiawatha pastors and staff. An internship might not be the best option for everyone but we do want to equip not just church planters and global missionaries but all kinds of leaders and influencers (think: biblical counselors, Bible teachers, youth ministry leaders, lay pastoral ministers, art-as-gospel-expansion creatives, and those who care about the integration of church and city).
SPENCER PETERSON / COMMUNITY LIFE PASTOR