One of the verses we quote most often on the Replant Bootcamp is Ephesians 4:11–12: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

That verse reminds me again and again that my job as a pastor isn’t to do all the ministry myself—it’s to equip others. And if I’m honest, that’s not always easy. In fact, it can feel overwhelming when the reality on the ground is that fewer pastors are stepping into ministry, seminary enrollment is declining, and most churches can’t afford a full-time pastor. Add to that the fact that many of our churches are normative in size, and the leadership gap feels even wider.

But here’s the truth: I don’t have to carry the load alone, and neither do you. God has already placed people in our congregations who can grow into leaders—we just need to pray, pay attention, and invest in them.

Spotting Potential Leaders

One of the mistakes we often make is looking first at competency. Does this person have teaching skills? Can they lead a meeting? Those things matter, but the New Testament points us first to character. A person who is faithful, teachable, and willing to serve is already a candidate for leadership development.

As Paul tells Timothy, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Start with faithfulness—everything else can be developed.

Creating a Culture of Development

If you want to raise up leaders in your church, you’ve got to create an environment where people are free to try, fail, learn, and grow. That means giving them opportunities to step into leadership—even if they aren’t perfect at it yet.

Think about how Jesus developed His disciples. He didn’t wait until they had everything figured out. He called them, equipped them, sent them out, and then processed the wins and losses with them. We can do the same in our churches.

Why Bi-Vocational Ministry Matters

Another important reality is that many of the leaders we raise up won’t be full-time pastors. They’ll be bi-vocational, serving the church while working in the marketplace. And that’s not a compromise—it’s a calling. In fact, the church today needs more men and women who see their everyday lives as a platform for ministry while also stepping into leadership roles in their local congregations.

Taking the First Step

So what does this mean for you as a pastor? Start small. Pray intentionally for God to raise up leaders in your congregation (Luke 10:2). Identify one or two faithful people who show signs of teachability. Invite them to walk with you as you do ministry. Share the “why” behind what you do. Give them small responsibilities and celebrate their growth.

This doesn’t happen overnight, but if you’ll commit to investing in others, you’ll see God multiply your ministry through the people He’s already given you.

Resources for You

In this week’s episode of the Replant Bootcamp, I sat down with Brandon Moore and Evan Skelton to unpack this very topic. We talk about the leadership gap the church is facing and practical ways pastors in normative-sized churches can begin developing leaders.

We’ve also put together resources over at renewalmovement.com to help you take the next step, including a quick-start guide for developing a replant residency.

You don’t have to carry the load alone. God has already provided the people—you just need to start equipping them.