705. Lead To Serve Podcast, Season 7, Episode 5
In this episode of Lead to Serve, Pastor Bob and I discuss a topic that many leaders and pastors often ask me about: how to build a team and develop others for ministry. It is one of the most common questions I hear. Many leaders feel alone or overwhelmed, unsure how to find help or develop others to serve alongside them. We wanted to address this in a way that points back to the heart of the matter: ministry is not about filling positions. It is about people.
We discussed how building a team doesn’t begin with looking for people to accomplish your goals. It begins with a heart to serve others and help them discover what God has in store for their lives. Jesus did this with His disciples, and Paul did this with Timothy. Ministry is relational, not transactional. We are not hiring for tasks or using people for our plans. We are walking alongside them, helping them discover and use their gifts for the Lord.
The conversation also touched on the importance of being present with people, observing their faithfulness, and taking the time to get to know their character. Acts 6 shows us that even simple ministry roles require spiritual maturity and a good reputation. We should not skip this step in a rush to fill a need. People are not resources to be used. They are men and women loved by God, called to serve Him with their gifts, and we get the privilege of helping them grow.
We also shared that there are two ways people step into serving: some will come to you in response to a need you share, and others you will need to approach as you see God working in their lives. Both are important, but there is a special joy in prayerfully looking for those God is preparing and inviting them to join you in serving. This requires patience and faith, trusting that God will provide the right people at the right time.
At the end of the day, building a team is not just about getting help; it’s about fostering a collaborative environment. It is about investing in others and seeing them grow in faithfulness to the Lord. It is about walking with people and helping them discover how God can use them for His glory. This is the heart of discipleship, and it is the heart of ministry.
