Building the Church Through a Leadership Pipeline

In The Secret of Teams, author Mark Miller shares practical team-building principles through an allegory of a leadership team that learns from high-performing organizations. One such organization is a thriving restaurant led by a dynamic young executive team. Among the many helpful insights they shared, one comment stood out with immediate relevance to the local church. And as a pastor, I care deeply about the health and future of the local church.

When asked about turnover, one of the leaders responded, “We talk about that [turnover] all the time.” He continued, “If this team is going to sustain its current level of performance, we always have to pay attention to our leadership pipeline.”¹

That statement struck me. A leadership pipeline means intentionally identifying and developing future leaders now, not later. Too often, church leaders get caught up in the urgency of weekly ministry tasks and fail to plan for the future. However, sustained ministry impact demands foresight and investment in leadership development.

Jesus modeled this brilliantly. He spent three intentional years mentoring the twelve disciples, preparing them to lead the early church. In His final charge, known as the Great Commission, He told them:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them… and teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18–20, NKJV)

Jesus’ plan was never just to gather followers—it was to raise up disciple-makers. And He did that by personally training leaders and sending them out to multiply His mission.

The Apostle Paul, continuing in that same model, wrote to his young protégé Timothy:

“The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2, NKJV)

That’s the pipeline: a continual, intentional process of pouring into others who will, in turn, pour into others.

The early church lived this out. In Acts and the Epistles, elders were appointed to lead local congregations—men and women of proven character, spiritual maturity, and teaching ability. These leaders were mentored, affirmed, and released to serve and empower others in the faith community.

So, what does a leadership pipeline look like in a modern church context? It looks like discipleship.

By nature, a disciple is someone being transformed and helping to transform others. A mentored leader desires to pass on what they’ve received. That’s how healthy churches grow and endure.

Here are seven essential principles for building a leadership pipeline in our local church:

1. Development of Leaders

A leadership pipeline helps identify, nurture, and develop leadership potential already within the congregation. Structured development creates space for people to grow into their calling.

2. Continuity and Succession Planning

Healthy churches prepare for leadership transitions. A pipeline ensures that when a leader steps aside, others are ready to step up—minimizing disruption and ensuring mission continuity.

3. Empowerment and Ownership

When members are trained and entrusted with ministry, they become stakeholders in the church’s mission. This leads to deeper engagement, greater joy in service, and a multiplying effect.

4. Representation and Diversity

A thoughtful leadership pipeline reflects the diversity of the body. It ensures that voices of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences are not only heard but developed and empowered.

5. Multiplication of Ministries

Trained leaders mean more ministries can be launched or expanded. This allows the church to better meet the needs of both members and the surrounding community.

6. Healthy Growth

As churches grow, so must their leadership capacity. A pipeline ensures leaders are prepared to disciple others and handle increasing responsibilities—preventing burnout and sustaining momentum.

7. Innovation and Adaptability

Leadership development that includes mentoring and ongoing training equips leaders to respond to cultural and technological shifts, keeping the church relevant and effective.

A well-structured leadership pipeline isn’t just a good organizational idea—it’s a biblical mandate. It’s how the gospel spreads, how churches grow, and how disciples are made. If you care about the future of your church, then take leadership development seriously.

Let’s follow the model of Jesus, Paul, and the early church. Let’s build a culture where every disciple is equipped and empowered to disciple others. Because when we invest in leaders, we’re investing in the future of the mission.

Who are you training? Who are you encouraging? Who can you empower this week?

Let’s build the pipeline—together.

¹ Mark Miller, The Secret of Teams: What Great Teams Know and Do (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2011), 42.