LEADERSHIP AT DIVERGENT CHURCH

Josh Reading
7 days ago
3 min read

SHORT HAND BLOG - You can read more at our Leadership Page and it's links and documents Introduction Spiritually, Jesus is the head of the Church (Col 1:18), of which DIVERGENT CHURCH is but a part. He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4, Hebrews 13:20). In all things, we seek the Spirit's leading, building upon the foundation that is Christ himself (1 Cor 3).

Under Christ, DIVERGENT CHURCH is led by a team we call the Senior Leadership Team (overseers). The initial senior leadership was appointed by the Eldership in our mother Church (now LifeGate Christian Church) with formally ‘ordained’ Leaders recognized under the Australian Christian Churches movement.

New appointments are made by our Senior Leadership Team in consultation with:

Wider Church Leaders (Acts 14:23, 20:28, 1 Tim 1:5).
Wise voices of maturity and influence within our community.

This team includes those who lead our local Churches and oversee key focuses in our Church.

Helping our Church manage governance and administrative decisions is our Board, made up of competent professionals.

Important Note: DIVERGENT CHURCH is part of the Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God in Australia) movement. As such, our Church submits to the Doctrine, Codes, and oversight of our movement.

WHAT MAKES A PERSON A LEADER?

Functionally, the answer is simple: someone who is leading people. A person without followers is simply taking a walk. However, the deeper question is: In the Church, what qualifies a person for positional Leadership?

THREE IMPORTANT FACTORS

1. Calling

Are you called to lead people? Why?
Clarifying a calling is understood through journey, service, and gifting.
Callings in Scripture are recognized through Leaders in the Church (Acts 13:1–3).

2. Capacity

Are you able to lead people?
This includes availability—do you have the time and emotional energy?
Ability and availability determine the level of leadership you can sustainably operate at.

3. Character

Are you the right person to lead?
Character is about integrity, reflecting Christ in all areas of life.

TRANSITIONING INTO LEADERSHIP

Leadership authority goes hand in hand with responsibility. When stepping into leadership, expect:

The weight of the task—spiritual warfare may intensify.
A learning curve—new skills and dynamics to adapt to.

Practical Advice:

Hold on—leadership is a marathon, not a sprint.
Expect challenges—they confirm your calling, not negate it.
Adjust to responsibility—it takes time to bear the weight.
Stay humble—seek input and prayer from your leaders.

FOUNDATIONS FOR ALL GODLY LEADERSHIP

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matt 20:26–28)

Servant leadership is the path to and of leadership.
Greatness in the Kingdom comes through descent, not ascent—laying aside privilege for God’s will.

WHAT IS BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP?

Two primary positions in the Church:

Elder (Overseer / Senior Leadership Team)
- Role: Oversight of the Church (1 Tim 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9).
- Qualifications include:
  - Godly desire for leadership.
  - Above reproach in character.
  - Faithfulness in relationships.
  - Self-control, hospitality, and sound doctrine.
Deacon (Ministry Leadership Team)
- Role: Serve under Elders to free them for spiritual oversight (Acts 6:3, 1 Tim 3:8–13).
- Must be "full of the Spirit and wisdom."

GENDER AND LEADERSHIP

At DIVERGENT CHURCH, we affirm both men and women in leadership. Examples include:

Deborah (Judge and Prophetess, Judges 4–5).
Priscilla & Phoebe (New Testament leaders, Rom 16).
The Spirit is poured out on "sons and daughters" (Acts 2:17–18).

(For deeper study, we provide resources on contested passages.)

PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD LEADERSHIP

Commit to Corporate Gathering – Prioritize Sundays as "family dinner."
Serve on a Team – Leadership is built on servanthood.
Disciple Others – Not just teaching, but investing in lives.
Lead a Life Community – Prove leadership through people care.
Attend Equip Nights – Grow in leadership and ministry skills.
Commit to Character – Transparency and integrity are non-negotiable.

TRANSITIONING OUT OF LEADERSHIP

Practical Shift: No longer in leadership meetings.
Relational Shift: Dynamics change when leaving a team.
Emotional Shift: Loss of "ownership" can be challenging.

Three Ways to Navigate Transition:

Re-Energize – Spend time in prayer and rest.
Revel in God – Re-center your identity in Christ.
Refocus – Find new ways to serve the Kingdom.

A FINAL WORD

"Not many of you should become teachers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1)

We celebrate your desire for leadership! Pray, prepare, and position yourself to grow.

Contact us if you’d like to discuss your calling further.

GROWTH RESOURCES

(Recommended books and tools for leaders)

General Leadership:

You the Leader – Phil Pringle
The Making of a Leader – Frank Damazio

Discipleship:

Building a Discipling Culture – Mike Breen

Missional Living:

Verge Network (Free resources)

(More coming soon...)