Turn willing church members into confident ministry leaders with a simple 90-day plan built for small and rural churches.
What you will use
This is a complete 96-page printable plan for a 90-day leader-development journey, with room to work through the plan with a mentor.
- A week-by-week leadership development path
- Coaching conversations and progress check-ins
- Clear movement from apprentice to assistant to leader
- Practical delegation, feedback, meetings, and multiplication tools
Use it with one leader, a small team, or your church leadership group. The plan gives pastors a workable rhythm for developing people without adding another complicated program.
Includes: the 90-Day Lay Leader Development Plan PDF, coaching worksheets, progress review tools, and a ministry handoff checklist.
Next step: When you are ready to run the full leadership pipeline, use the Leadership Pipeline Starter Kit.
Who this is for
This plan is designed for pastors, bivocational leaders, and volunteer coordinators who are developing one or two emerging leaders with limited staff time. It works whether your church meets weekly, twice a month, or in a seasonal rhythm.
What the 90 days look like
- Days 1–30 — Notice and invite: identify a willing person, name one ministry responsibility, and establish a short weekly check-in.
- Days 31–60 — Practice and coach: let the developing leader lead a real task while you observe, encourage, and offer one specific next step.
- Days 61–90 — Entrust and review: hand off an appropriate responsibility, review what was learned, and agree on a sustainable next assignment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a formal leadership program? No. The plan is intentionally lightweight and can be used with one person and a recurring conversation.
Is this a guarantee that someone will become a leader? No. It gives you a faithful process for noticing, equipping, and entrusting people; growth still depends on willingness, fit, character, and the church’s discernment.
What should I use next? Use the Leadership Pipeline Starter Kit when you are ready to move from one developing leader to a repeatable team process.
