Pastors often make the mistake of training people in Bible school and then putting them on preaching platforms. While Bible school and preaching experience are valuable, genuine leadership requires more. True leadership in God's kingdom transcends delivering powerful sermons; it embodies servanthood and discipleship.

Raising leaders who are exceptional speakers but lack the ability to make disciples presents a unique challenge. While preaching and stirring the hearts of people are vital, they do not automatically qualify someone as a leader in the kingdom of God. True leadership begins with servanthood—serving not to promote oneself but solely to please God.

The journey of discipleship starts with humility. When raising leaders, we must evaluate their servanthood. Do they serve out of a genuine desire to please the Lord, or do they have an agenda? A servant’s heart is revealed not when they are placed in the positions they desire, but when they are asked to meet the needs of the church, wherever that may be. Sometimes, the need is the call. It is in these moments, where their preferences are challenged that their true character is revealed. Credibility and trust are built among the people, not through titles or talents, but through consistent, faithful service.

One of the most critical aspects of raising leaders is not rushing the process. Scripture warns against placing a novice in leadership (1 Timothy 3:6). Just because someone can preach with power and see people filled with the Holy Ghost does not mean they are ready to lead others. The Word of God is powerful and effective, and it will always work—people who are hungry for God will be filled according to the scriptures. But we must ask ourselves: Has this person proven to be a disciple-maker?

A leader’s success is not measured solely by their ability to preach, but by their ability to make disciples. What does the fruit of their labour look like? Jesus said that people will know His disciples by their fruit (John 15:8). The only reason people follow a true leader is because they are attracted to their fruit, not just their power. Power may draw people initially, but it is the fruit—the Christ-like character, love, and wisdom—that keeps them. We must stop focusing on producing powerful preachers and start making disciple-makers.

One of the most effective ways to begin this process is by having these potential leaders teach Home Bible Studies. This foundational step requires more than just delivering a message—it requires time, patience, and a nurturing spirit. By teaching others in a one-on-one or small group setting, these leaders will learn how to be spiritual parents. They will have to feed and nurture spiritual newborns, walking them through the process of growth and maturity in Christ. The way these spiritual children develop reflects their spiritual parent’s character, much like how a natural parent’s values and character are reflected in their children.

It has been said that marriage and parenthood are two of the most challenging things a person has to go through; likewise, being a disciple-maker presents similar challenges. Just as marriage demands commitment, patience, and the willingness to serve, disciple-making requires the same. In both roles, there is a call to give more than you receive, to nurture growth, and to walk with others through seasons of joy, struggle, and transformation.

In marriage, you realize that love is more than a fleeting feeling—it’s a daily decision to support and grow with your spouse. Parenthood teaches you to selflessly pour into another person’s life, guiding them through their journey to maturity. The same applies to disciple-making. It requires intentionality, investment, and patience. A disciple-maker doesn’t just teach a few lessons; they walk alongside their spiritual children, helping them navigate faith, doubts, and the challenges of life.

Both marriage and parenthood reveal that growth isn’t linear, and neither is discipleship. There will be setbacks, frustrations, and moments when it feels like progress is slow. But just as a parent finds joy in seeing their child grow, the greatest fulfillment for a disciple-maker comes when they witness spiritual maturity taking root. Seeing those they’ve invested in begin to bear fruit and, eventually, become disciple-makers themselves is the ultimate reward.

Marriage and parenthood teach us about sacrifice, and disciple-making is no different. It demands giving of your time, energy, and heart. It requires correction when necessary, encouragement when spirits are low, and always pointing people back to Christ. As in marriage and parenting, the process may be long and sometimes painful, but the rewards are eternal.

This journey isn’t for the faint of heart. But, like the relationships that matter most—whether with a spouse, children, or spiritual disciples—the effort, the tears, the sacrifices are all worth it when we see the lasting legacy of lives transformed, hearts turned toward God, and disciples raised up to do the same for others. After all, true disciple-makers don’t just produce followers—they multiply leaders who are equipped to nurture and lead others in the faith.

In the end, just as marriage and parenthood reflect our character and values, the disciples we raise reflect our spiritual walk. Are we nurturing disciples who are rooted in Christ, growing in their faith, and bearing fruit for His kingdom? Just as children reflect the values of their parents, spiritual children will reflect the character of their spiritual parents. This is why raising disciples must be approached with intentionality, humility, and a heart that seeks God’s glory above all else.

The goal of raising leaders is not to create a generation of preachers who can wow a crowd but to raise disciple-makers who can nurture, grow, and develop the body of Christ. We need leaders who are not just powerful speakers but are deeply rooted in Christ and the principles of discipleship, bearing fruit that remains. This is the true measure of a leader's calling and effectiveness.