If you’re keeping a close eye on the state of Christianity in Australia, you’re probably aware of some pressing challenges. At times, we tend to lose sight of, or even avoid facing, the urgency right in front of us.

We get caught up in assessing how full our church buildings are (the ‘barns’) and forget about the tens of thousands of people in our communities who haven’t yet encountered Jesus (the ‘fields’).

But in our clearer moments, we recognise that there’s much more to be done – reaching more people, sharing the gospel with the lost, caring for those in need and nurturing more disciples. It’s a challenging tension to hold: knowing our limitations as finite beings while witnessing seemingly boundless needs.

Most leaders experience this tension between what needs to be done and what can realistically be achieved. Our instinct is oen to work harder, take on more tasks, and just ʻdo moreʼ. However, those who have walked this path quickly realise that this isn’t sustainable.

The solution isn’t merely learning to juggle more or attempting to defy the laws of physics by squeezing more than 24 hours into a day.

The answer is quite simple: increase the number of ‘jugglers’ or leaders working alongside or under other leaders in the church. This isn’t just about boosting the capacity of our ministries; it’s about fulfilling what Jesus calls us to do, which includes sending workers into the world.

This isn’t a novel concept. You might have come across some succinct sayings that encapsulate this reality:

● ‘Everything rises and falls on leadership’

● ‘The church growth curve is the leadership curve’

● ‘When is a leader at their best? … When they are making other leaders.’

● In the context of church planting: ‘You should give birth … pregnant.’

These statements make significant claims about leadership, and you’ll notice a strong connection among them. If the growth of a church is directly tied to its leadership, then it becomes clear that leaders must prioritise the task of developing new leaders.

To understand these sayings better, we need to dig into the heart of what leaders actually do, primarily focusing on competent Christian leadership. While character, personal discipleship, and godliness are integral aspects of Christian leadership, for now we’ll set those aside to delve into the competent Christian leader’s role.

I’m confident that you’ll connect the dots as we explore the actions of leaders.