When Pastor Chris Flathers and his wife planted Connect Church in 2019, they began with just two small community groups meeting in homes. However, their focus from the start was not on growing attendance but on developing disciples. Chris shares that the philosophy was clear: “Jesus said, ‘I will build my church.’ He told us ‘Go and make disciples’, ” By focusing on discipleship, Connect Church naturally began forming leaders equipped to help guide others.
This focus on discipleship first and leadership second is a foundational principle of the leadership pipeline at Connect Church. Leaders aren’t selected solely based on need or role vacancies but through a process of intentional discipleship, mentoring, and spiritual growth. In fact, Chris emphasizes that leadership should emerge from an organic process of following Christ: “If we are driven by our need for more leaders, we’ll simply practice leadership placement. But if we are driven by people’s God-given potential, we’ll develop leaders.”
A Biblical Model for Developing Leaders
At Connect Church, the leadership pipeline is rooted in biblical principles. One of the key scriptures Chris points to is Ephesians 4:11-12, which calls on church leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry. This mandate isn’t just about filling roles within the church; it’s about building leaders who are spiritually grounded, mission-focused, and equipped to disciple others.
To develop leaders, Pastor Chris uses a structured approach that includes several key steps:
- “I See in You” Conversations: These one-on-one conversations are the starting point for leadership development. Leaders approach individuals with the phrase, “I see in you…” and identify potential for ministry, encouraging them to step into leadership roles.
- Apprenticeship: Before formalizing any leadership role, potential leaders apprentice alongside current leaders, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship in real-time ministry situations.
- Formal Application + Interview: After an apprenticeship, the individual undergoes a more formal process of application and interviews with the church’s leadership team to assess readiness.
- Ongoing Development: Leadership development doesn’t stop once someone steps into a role. At Connect Church, leaders participate in regular “huddles” where they grow spiritually, discuss ministry challenges, and receive further training. They also attend annual leadership summits and work with a coach regularly.
The Critical Role of Coaches in Leadership Development
One of the unique elements of Connect Church’s leadership pipeline is the emphasis on coaching. Pastor Chris believes that no leader should walk the journey alone. Once someone steps into a leadership role, they are paired with a coach whose primary responsibility is to guide, support, and develop them as they lead.
A coach’s role is different from a mentor in that it focuses on ongoing development, accountability, and encouragement. As Chris explains, “The coach’s whole role is to mentor, disciple, and invest in their leader.”
Here’s why having a coach for each leader is so essential:
- Support and Accountability: Leading a group or ministry can be challenging, and it’s easy for leaders to feel overwhelmed. Coaches ensure that leaders aren’t left to figure things out on their own. They provide the necessary support and accountability, helping leaders stay on track spiritually and practically.
- Focused Development: Coaches are trained to identify areas where leaders can grow. Whether it’s in their spiritual walk, leadership skills, or practical ministry execution, a coach provides regular feedback and helps the leader refine their approach. This focused development is crucial for leaders to continue growing and improving.
- A Relational Model: The leadership development process at Connect Church is highly relational. Chris describes the system as “hyper-relational,” meaning it’s not just about filling roles but investing deeply in people’s lives. Coaches build close relationships with their leaders, walking alongside them through ministry challenges and victories.
- Multiplying Leaders: Coaches at Connect Church are not just there to support the current generation of leaders—they are there to multiply future leaders. By discipling and training their leaders, coaches help create a cycle of leadership development, where today’s leaders are equipped to disciple and train the next generation. This ensures that the leadership pipeline remains strong and continually grows.
The role of coaches is vital for sustaining long-term leadership development. Chris credits his own experience working with a mentor for shaping the leadership development model at Connect Church. He explains, “I learned this from my mentor, Mack Lake at Multiply Group. We’ve adopted a coaching system that focuses on ensuring every leader has someone investing in them.”
The Role of Multiply Group in Leadership Development
Pastor Chris’s experience in leadership development has been enriched through his involvement with the Multiply Group, an organization that helps ministry leaders build effective leadership pipelines. Through his work with Multiply, Chris has learned and now teaches strategies for developing leaders that can be applied to churches of any size.
Multiply Group emphasizes that leadership development isn’t just about plugging people into ministry positions; it’s about cultivating a God-sized vision that requires divine intervention and teamwork. This means that pastors should focus not only on their immediate needs but on the long-term potential and spiritual development of each leader.
For pastors looking to build a similar pipeline in their churches, Chris recommends starting with a book called The Multiplication Effect by Mack Lake, which lays out the principles for building a leadership pipeline. He also encourages pastors to reach out for mentorship or guidance, whether through Multiply or other experienced church leaders.
Practical Takeaways for Building Your Leadership Pipeline
Developing leaders from within your congregation is not only biblical but necessary for sustainable growth. Here are a few practical tips drawn from Pastor Chris’s experience at Connect Church and Multiply Group:
- Start with Discipleship: Focus on making disciples before worrying about filling leadership roles. As disciples mature in their faith, leadership will naturally emerge.
- Look for Willingness, Not Just Readiness: Chris emphasizes the importance of looking for potential leaders who have people following them, even if they’re not fully “ready.” Willingness to grow and be developed is more critical than immediate readiness.
- Ensure Each Leader Has a Coach: Assign a coach to every leader to provide ongoing guidance, support, and spiritual development. This relational model will help ensure that leaders are equipped and empowered to succeed in their roles.
- Foster a Culture of Humility and Learning: Encourage your leaders and team members to approach ministry with humility and a desire to learn from others. This collaborative mindset is critical for long-term success.
By implementing this structured pathway, you create an environment where leaders are identified and continually developed in a relational and discipleship-focused manner. This relational system ensures that every leader feels supported and empowered to fulfill their God-given potential.
