Apprentices
Preparing the next new leaders
Why an Apprentice Leader is Needed
1. When more Life Group leaders are mobilized, we can better fulfill our mission “help MORE people follow Christ.” It’s about the mission!
2. Developing Leaders is at the heart of the apprentice model.
3. Leadership Development allows for people to reach their full potential.
DISCUSS CANDIDATES WITH YOUR AREA PASTOR – WE CAN HELP!!
What to Look for in an Apprentice
1. Look for group members who take the group seriously.
2. Look for gifted people whom you can recognize and affirm.
3. Pray regularly for new apprentices (Luke 6:12-16).
4. Look for people who embrace the small group vision.
5. Observe people in your ministry as they perform tasks or work with people. Give them additional ministry opportunities and responsibilities to see if perhaps they have some leadership potential.
6. Look for people who exhibit the following qualifications:
Faithful Available Initiative-oriented Teachable Heart for God
7. Consider those people who challenge your leadership. These may be potential leaders who are frustrated.
Responsibilities of an Apprentice
Love
Love and support your leader and your group, doing all you can to be an example of the love of Christ for your people. Take an active role in loving and caring for them. Work with your leader to share the span of care.
Learn
Learn from what your leader does and from what your leader does not do. Talk with your leader and debrief each meeting, discussing the pros and cons of the process. At this point, leadership is both caught and taught. Also, take advantage of skill training as it is offered or recommended.
Lead
Ask your leader to give you experience leading the group in various ways. Begin by leading the prayer time or one or two discussion questions. Over time, you work to take more ownership and leadership in the group. You become a better leader by practicing leadership skills in a "live" setting. Now is the best time to do that.
You should be leading 12-18 months after you first become an apprentice. Take advantage of this time to grow and master a variety of skills.
How to Develop an Apprentice
The three stages of apprentice development mirror the stages of early life. We've called the steps dependence, independence and interdependence; and they mirror the states of infancy, adolescence and adulthood.
1. Dependence (infancy)
Exploring leadership
Learning all you can
Strong reliance on the leader
A servant's heart
Strong dependence on the group
Leader does the work while apprentice observes
2. Independence (adolescence)
You feel you can lead better than the leader can
You think you don't need the group
You think you don't need the leader
You are learning the leader's role
The leader shares the work with the apprentice
3. Interdependence (adulthood)
You have earned the respect of the group
You respect the group
You need the group to affirm your leadership
The group needs you
You share ownership with your leader
You have combined the servant's heart with the leader's role
Apprentice does the work while the leader observes
Note: Just at this time you may be preparing to birth. Don't be surprised if feelings of ambivalence, uncertainty, fear, and inadequacy arise. This is normal and healthy. As a matter of fact, these feelings will give you the kind of humility you need to become a leader. That they come is an indication to you that you are ready to birth and ready to be challenged in your spiritual growth.
Overcoming Objections
"I just don't have the time"
Remember, people make time for those things they count as important. Share the importance of apprentice leadership in the body of Christ. Cast a vision for the life change that can occur as they rise to the occasion and accept the challenge of leading a group with you.
"I don't have the gift of leadership"
Encourage people by reminding them that leadership is mostly character. It takes time to develop character and competency (skills). If you believe someone has the basic character qualities of a potential leader, remind them that you will make sure they get the appropriate training they need to be effective.
"I'm not the leadership type"
At this point you need to simply explore what the person means by "leadership type." Perhaps they have a definition of leadership that is not biblical. Perhaps they view a leader as someone who is in charge and in control, as opposed to someone who can facilitate life change by caring for, shepherding, discipling, and loving others.
Other categories of objections
• Training
• Vision
• Skills
• Fear
• Past experience
Further Resources
"Apprentice Development" in Leading Life-Changing Small Groups (pp. 67-74) by Bill Donahue
Creating Community by Andy Stanley and Bill Willets
"Recruit a Leader-in-Training" in Nine Keys to Effective Small Group Leadership by Carl George
Small Group Shepherding by Bill Clem
Walking the Small Group Tightrope by Bill Donahue