To see ministry multiply, we have to develop leaders. Without leadership development, we run the risk of burnout, stalled growth, and unfulfilled potential. Jesus understood this and poured three years of His life into his twelve disciples.

However, Jesus’ leadership development efforts didn’t stop with the Twelve. Jesus was a multiplier, and He enlarged His circle to grow and release more leaders for His mission. How did Jesus do it? In Luke 10, we discover four ways Jesus developed leaders.

1. Recruitment

Luke 6:13 says, “When morning came, [Jesus] called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.”

And Luke 10:1 says, “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others … .”

Developing leaders began with recruitment. Jesus called them, and he appointed them. His recruitment process was intentional, and it was guided by the time He spent in prayer (Luke 6:12).

Jesus instructed us to pray for leaders as well. In Luke 10:2, He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

There’s an important lesson for us in these passages: Leaders don’t typically volunteer. You have to pray for them, identify them, and then invite them to join you on a mission.

Recruiting is about more than placing an announcement in a bulletin, an ad in a newsletter, or a mass blitz on social media. The best way to recruit is in the context of relationship. Personally ask people; don’t just advertise to them.

2. Development

Jesus not only recruited leaders, but He also developed them through training and equipping. In Luke 10:4, Jesus said, “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” Then, Jesus instructed them how to enter a house and how to enter a town (verses 5–8,10).

In addition, Jesus gave specific instructions on what to do and say: “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (verse 9).

The lesson is clear: Jesus didn’t recruit and then haphazardly release. Instead, He instructed them on what to do, what not to do, and what their focus should be. Jesus addressed the practices of ministry and the priorities of ministry.

Similarly, if you’re going to develop leaders, you need a clear developmental process. What does this process look like?

First, identify the various levels of leadership in your church. Second, determine the competencies necessary to serve at each leadership level. Third, develop a combination of training, resources, and experiences that will equip people to learn these competencies. And fourth, provide ongoing support through coaching.

Jesus not only recruited leaders, but He also developed them through training and equipping.

This development process will ensure your leaders are set up for short-term and long-term success.

3. Empowerment

We see Jesus practicing empowerment in two places in this passage. First, Luke says Jesus, “sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (verse 1).

Then Jesus said, “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” (verse 3).

Jesus didn’t just talk to His disciples about doing ministry. He “sent them.” He was also purposeful to send them “two by two.” You can always go further and accomplish more when you do ministry together.

The early stages of empowerment are especially important to ensure emerging leaders don’t bail out due to a bad experience. How do you set them up for success? Consider two strategies.

First, let them shadow another leader. This is a version of the “two by two” strategy Jesus implemented. When you can shadow someone, it gives you the opportunity to ask questions, discover the best way to do ministry, and find the support and encouragement you need to thrive.

Second, give an emerging leader a stretch assignment. In other words, when you’re preparing someone for a new opportunity, give them an assignment that will stretch their skills and help them develop in a safe environment. When they successfully complete the stretch assignment, you can trust them with new opportunities to lead.

Both of these strategies happen as you pass the baton from development to empowerment. Once the handoff is complete, fully empower the new leader with the authority and resources they need to run.

4. Refinement

Jesus’ leadership development model in Luke 10 concludes with one final strategy: refinement.

According to verses 17–20, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’”

What was Jesus doing? He was debriefing with them. Jesus was taking time to hear their stories and offer additional instruction. Simply put, He was refining them into better disciples and more effective leaders.

As we develop leaders, we should take a similar approach. After you empower people with a new opportunity, meet with them to debrief. Ask how things are going, where they need help, what additional training or resources they need, and how you can coach them forward. As you do, you’ll help them refine their skills and grow their impact.

If we forget to debrief, leaders can feel forgotten and forsaken.

Jesus implemented these four steps to attract and mobilize leaders for the harvest. Similarly, we can apply each principle in our local churches to develop leaders to fulfill the Great Commission.