by Keith Hamilton
Synopsis: A top priority of outstanding leaders is developing all their people. The apostle Paul said, "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2).
At one point, our company considered contracting with a consulting group to develop and deliver a class about “Coaching.” Our corporate leaders asked me to sit in and evaluate the pilot class with some of our employees. During the class, the teacher asked, “When does a coach engage in coaching?” After listening to the responses from some students, the teacher turned to me and asked the same question. I said, “All the time.” I explained, “Anytime a coach is in the presence of those with whom he works, he is coaching/teaching. At practice, during the game, on the bus to the game, in one-on-one situations. A good coach is always coaching and teaching.”
I have been fortunate to spend time with, talk to, and observe successful leaders. One thing stood out about each of them: first and foremost, they were teachers (i.e., coaches). It did not matter what organization: sports, military, business, etc. I heard the same thing repeatedly from each of them. The characteristics possessed by a successful leader can be transferred to any organization and any situation.
In recent years, people are rediscovering that the Bible is a great source for learning about “Leadership.” This is especially true regarding the characteristic of the leader as a teacher (i.e., coach).
Our Lord is the greatest Leader and Teacher. When one examines the life of Christ, He was always teaching, even at the age of twelve, in His discussion with the religious leaders in the temple (Luke 2:46-47). His work at teaching others was tireless. Yes, Jesus delivered lessons to large groups of folks—–from the mountain where He delivered the beatitudes (Matt. 5-7), to the occasion when He spoke from a boat to the multitude who were assembled on the shore (Matt. 13:2ff). Although the “Rabbi” of Nazareth was constantly pursued by large crowds, He also taught small groups, including His closest disciples. He took the time to teach individuals. He met at night with Nicodemus, a revered and aged member of the Sanhedrin (John 3:1 ff). Seated beside a well in Samaria, He taught a solitary woman from a nearby city (John 4:7 ff). Regardless of the time, place, or size of His audience, Jesus taught. The characteristic of being a “Christian leader” has been pressed upon all disciples, especially regarding the issue of teaching (coaching) others. In giving the Great Commission, Jesus charged the disciples to “go and teach” (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). We must also follow our Lord’s example and be teachers. Each of us should lead others to Him.
A top priority of outstanding leaders is developing all their people. Great leaders know how to build and develop teams. In doing so, they know that a strong team does not happen if a teacher/coach only focuses on developing a few of their “pets.” Once I sat down and discussed coaching philosophy with Raymond Berry, a former NFL great and the first head coach to take the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl. In our discussion, I said the greatest example of leadership was when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. He later responded by saying, “As a player and coach, I have learned there are two kinds of coaches. There are coaches who look at their players and say, ‘What can you do for me?’ Then there are coaches who look at their players and say, ‘What can I do for you?’ I have always tried to be the coach who asked what I could do for each of the players on our team.” Coach Berry understood that a successful leader or coach develops everyone he works with.
Although Jesus sometimes would take a couple of His disciples aside, He taught them all. The Lord wanted each of His disciples to be their best, and He provided them all with the information they needed to achieve that end. The Comforter would guide them all so that they would receive “all truth” (John 14:26; 16:13). Elders who lead the local flock are doing a great work when they ensure every member is receiving the spiritual nutrition that is necessary for them to grow and develop (Acts 20:28).
The church that Jesus built (Matt. 16:18) was later described by the apostle Paul as “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The “manifold wisdom of God” is made known unto the world through the church (Eph. 3:10). Its work centers on (1) teaching the lost so that they might be saved, and (2) teaching the saved so that they might be edified/built up (Eph. 4:11-12). Therefore, the church is a learning and teaching organization. This is where leadership within a local congregation is key. What are the elders and preacher(s) doing to develop a love for learning and teaching within the heart of each member of the congregation?
I am impressed with the system for developing leaders used at West Point Military Academy. In their second year, each sophomore cadet has assigned to them a freshman. They are responsible for training that individual. Having each cadet learn some subject and then be responsible for teaching this material to an underclassman is how West Point develops leaders. Cadets first learn how to teach/lead one person before they are given additional leadership responsibilities.
I have often thought, “What if a local congregation could do the same with the members?” Instead of the preacher, elders, or Bible class teachers doing all the instructing, everyone grew so that (in some capacity) they could teach others. Imagine how tremendous it would be if the elders could call upon many within the congregation to take new converts under their wings and guide them through a study of the Bible. Would that not be an excellent way for the church to develop its future leaders?
Obviously, the first-century church was a dynamic teaching organization. When disciples were scattered by persecution, they “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). This realization may require a changing of our mindset. Should not elders understand they are leaders of leaders? Should not preachers and teachers see their role as that of teachers of teachers (2 Tim. 2:2)? What if we could get everyone involved and onboard with leading others to Christ by engaging them in the learning and teaching process?
One characteristic of outstanding leaders is that they are always curious. They are always learning. They want to know more. They are always growing and, therefore, changing. Please note that this is not “change” in the sense of drifting from the divine pattern, but change in the sense of achieving greater maturity and making more consistent application of truth to our lives.
So, learning is not a “goal” or an “outcome,” but rather a process or a journey. For leaders, life is a journey. They invite others to join them and learn with them. In much the same way, our Lord joined Himself with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and “expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). As we learn and grow, we change. The spiritually mature Christian is one who changes over time as he grows in his knowledge. He also grows (i.e., changes or matures) in his ability to lead others. Therefore, let us be about the business of leading others to Christ–learning, growing, changing, leading others by teaching.
