Gabe Kolstad here – multi-time Advanced Coaching Alumni with Nelson and Senior Pastor of Westside Community Church in Beaverton, Oregon.

Today, I’d like to share an answer to a common question I hear from pastors who are serious about reaching their maximum Kingdom potential…

That question: “How Can I Develop a Growing Team?”

Answer: Endless buckets of cash.

Thankfully, that’s not the only answer.

The good news is we can all develop a healthy, unified, growing team.  And the place to begin is by leading a team of LEARNERS.

You’ve probably memorized those John Maxwell quotes – “All leaders are learners” and “The moment you stop learning you stop leading.”  And it’s true!

But how do you drive learning deep into the culture of your team?

Here are a few ideas that have helped in our church:

• Lead the way.  You don’t have to be the smartest person on your team.  You just have to be learning the fastest!  Set reading & learning goals and make time to invest in yourself every day.
• Pay for it.  Create a line item in your budget for staff & volunteer development so that you can provide the resources that will take your team to the next level.
• Expect it.  Make it normal for your team to bring their books & learnings to your staff meeting.  Once it’s in their blood you won’t be able to stop it.
• Make it fun.  Give rewards & perks to the people who take the most initiative in their learning.  Rather than just books, find other ways to stretch your team’s thinking.  Take a field trip to a high-impact business or store that will inspire the group (Ikea is always fun).
• Reward implementation.  Learning is pointless unless it is applied.  Praise and reward the doers on your team.  Make a party out of the progress your leaders create.
• Teach leadership tips.  If you’re leading the way then you’ll have plenty of insights to share with your team.  And they want you to!  Give them the help they need by sharing what you’re learning.
• Have them report.  Allowing your team members to teach one another is an incredibly powerful tool.  We occasionally do a “Lightning Round” of learning around the table to share insights & best practices from a learning experience.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the church needs to be leading the way through learning.

How can you help your team get started?

P.S. Not sure if you’ve heard, but  Nelson is RETIRING from his Live Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network after the Feb 2013 Network!

Don’t miss this FINAL opportunity to partner with Nelson for 12 months for maximum personal and church growth…

Click the link below to learn more and sign up today:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching