Homegrown Leaders: How to Build a Farm System for Church Leadership

Key takeaways

Authentic leadership rooted in relationships is essential for effective disciple-making.
Creating a homegrown leadership development system can help alleviate leadership shortages in churches.
Church leaders should embody the disciple-making mindset and model behaviors they want to see in their congregations.
Transforming church culture requires intentional effort and a commitment to relational discipleship.
Churches must focus on building deep relationships to sustain a vibrant and healthy community.

Summary

Introduction of Jim Putman and His Ministry

The episode opens with host Josh welcoming Jim Putman, a long-time friend of Discipleship.org, emphasizing his impact as a leader and author in the field of discipleship. They reminisce about their first meeting in India, where Jim played a pivotal role in mentoring local leaders. Jim's authentic approach to discipleship is highlighted as he is described as a practitioner who leads effectively from the front.

Overview of Homegrown Leaders

The main focus of the podcast is Jim's new book, 'Homegrown Leaders,' which shares insights on raising leaders from within the church community. Jim discusses the evolution of his leadership philosophy, tracing back to his first book, 'Church as a Team Sport.' He emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive structure within the church that prioritizes relationships over processes, allowing for a more sustainable leadership development model.

The Challenge of Leadership Shortages

Jim discusses the significant shortage of leaders in American churches and the implications it has on church sustainability. He stresses the necessity for churches to develop a robust internal culture where leaders are raised from within, rather than relying on external hires that may not fit the established church culture. Jim shares his perspective on how a homegrown approach can revitalize church leadership.

Implementing a Homegrown Leadership System

Jim offers practical steps for church leaders who want to establish a leadership development system in their congregations. He encourages leaders to embody the disciple-making mindset before attempting to change church culture. By doing so, they can effectively identify and cultivate potential leaders while ensuring all members engage in the disciple-making process.

Relational Discipleship and Cultural Change

The discussion focuses on the importance of relational discipleship within church communities. Jim stresses that changing the existing culture of expectation can lead to healthier and more effective church environments. He emphasizes the need for pastors to build deep relationships with their congregations to encourage a culture of disciple-making and mutual support.

Call to Action for Church Leaders

In closing, both hosts urge church leaders to reflect on their current practices and consider whether they truly align with biblical principles of discipleship. Jim challenges listeners to lead through potential pushback as they transition to healthier church practices, reinforcing the significance of community and relationships in faith.

Show notes

Join us for the 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/

Get Jim Putman's new book -- Homegrown Leaders: Creating a Unified Leadership Development Culture for Staff and Elders:

https://a.co/d/0eg1Z01k

In this episode Jim Putman explains the principles behind his new book, Homegrown Leaders, and shows how churches can raise leaders from within through relational disciple-making, shared training for staff and elders, and a long-term coaching mindset rather than hiring from outside.

Jim contrasts broken systems with a homegrown approach, offers practical first steps leaders can take, and points listeners to resources like the Relational Discipleship Network and discipleship.org for further help.