Free tool

Leadership Pipeline Planner

How does someone in your church go from serving on a team to leading leaders? Map it out, stage by stage. Start from the example below and change every part of it to fit your church. No single pipeline fits every church.

Your plan stays in this browser tab.

Nothing is saved or sent anywhere. Refreshing or closing the page clears it, so download or print it before you leave. Use role labels, not people’s names or personal details.

Plan name

Stage 1Stage 1 name
Outcome
What is true of someone ready to move on from this stage?
Someone is serving on a team regularly and showing up on time.
Next step
The one clear invitation into the next stage.
Invite them to help lead one part of a team gathering.
Training and support
What helps them grow here: a conversation, a huddle, a resource.
A short welcome to the team and a clear first job.
Who owns this step (role only)
A role, like “Team leader”. Please don’t enter people’s names.
Team leader
Stage 2Stage 2 name
Outcome
What is true of someone ready to move on from this stage?
They lead part of a team alongside an experienced leader.
Next step
The one clear invitation into the next stage.
Give them one gathering to lead with a leader watching and debriefing.
Training and support
What helps them grow here: a conversation, a huddle, a resource.
Monthly one-on-one; one Team Talk to discuss together.
Who owns this step (role only)
A role, like “Team leader”. Please don’t enter people’s names.
Ministry leader
Stage 3Stage 3 name
Outcome
What is true of someone ready to move on from this stage?
They lead a team on their own and care for the people on it.
Next step
The one clear invitation into the next stage.
Ask them to find and start developing their own apprentice.
Training and support
What helps them grow here: a conversation, a huddle, a resource.
Quarterly leader huddle; feedback after a visit.
Who owns this step (role only)
A role, like “Team leader”. Please don’t enter people’s names.
Staff or elder over the ministry
Stage 4Stage 4 name
Outcome
What is true of someone ready to move on from this stage?
They develop other team leaders, not just volunteers.
Next step
The one clear invitation into the next stage.
Talk about whether further training or a staff role fits.
Training and support
What helps them grow here: a conversation, a huddle, a resource.
Regular coaching conversation; a longer development path if called to pastor.
Who owns this step (role only)
A role, like “Team leader”. Please don’t enter people’s names.
Pastor

How to use it

Name the stages people actually move through in your church today, even if there are only two or three.
For each stage, write what is true of someone ready to move on, and the one invitation that moves them.
Decide which role owns that invitation, so it does not depend on the pastor alone.
Download or print it and talk it through with your leaders. Change it as you learn.

Optional help along the way

Team Talks: short talks to use with leaders at any stage.
Pastor Development: a three-year mentoring path for someone sensing a call to pastor.

Your pipeline

Example leadership pipeline

How to use it

Optional help along the way