Ephesians 4:11-13
Leaders are gifts to equip the saints for the work of ministry until the body grows toward maturity in Christ.
The Frame
This tool keeps leadership simple: abide in God, equip the saints, multiply faithful practice, and coach toward the next level of fruitfulness.
Discipleship Like Jesus
Invest deeply in a few while loving the many. Jesus formed leaders through access, assignment, reflection, correction, and sending.
Iron On Iron
Use one-on-one time to discuss faith, character, obedience, calling, tools, and the leader's path with God.
L1-L5 Pathway
Each level includes a role, field focus, common tools, training rhythm, coaching question, and evidence of readiness for the next step.
APEST Map
The goal is not to label people forever. The goal is to help each person abide in God and serve the body with their grace and responsibility.
Send widelyApostolicInitiates new fields, teams, and sending pathways.
Hear clearlyPropheticCalls people back to God, holiness, justice, and mission.
Proclaim clearlyEvangelisticModels proclamation, bridges, and gospel conversations.
Care deeplyShepherdingGuards people, health, unity, and endurance.
Teach clearlyTeachingClarifies Scripture, doctrine, obedience, and transferable practice.
Abide In God
The center of the map is abiding, not personality. Leadership multiplication collapses when gifting outruns intimacy with Jesus.
- Apostles open new ground and activate sending.
- Prophets call the body back to God and his mission.
- Evangelists keep gospel proclamation in motion.
- Shepherds care for people and protect the flock.
- Teachers help truth become clear and reproducible.
FATR Readiness
Look for people who are ready to obey and pass on what they receive. This is a discernment grid, not a pressure tactic.
F
Faithful
Keeps commitments, follows through, and responds to God's Word with obedience.
A
Available
Makes time for God, people, practice, training, and real field reps.
T
Teachable
Receives correction, learns quickly, and changes practice without defensiveness.
R
Reproducing
Shares with others, trains someone else, and creates fruit beyond themselves.
Coaching Console
Select a leader level to guide a one-on-one conversation. The higher the level, the less direct training and the more immediate coaching.
How To Lead Iron On Iron
Iron on Iron is a phrase some teams use for group coaching. The point is simple: trusted leaders help one another see reality, solve barriers, and leave with clear obedience steps.
Ground rule: address the plan, not the person. Keep the lostness of the community in view, listen carefully, and coach toward action.
Report And Update
Give a concise update on abiding, conflict, vision, target people and places, teammates, weekly rhythm, training plan, tracking, 1-3-9 leaders, stories, barriers, and questions.
Clarify The Barrier
The facilitator identifies the main barrier. Use the CMT pathway to locate where the work is blocked: entry, evangelism, discipleship, church formation, or leadership development.
Encourage First
Before solving, name evidence of grace, courage, faithfulness, or fruit. Encouragement keeps the person from feeling attacked while the plan is being strengthened.
Ask Better Questions
Ask clarifying questions before giving advice. Draw out facts, assumptions, people involved, timing, current tools, and what has already been tried.
Offer Scripture, Stories, And Suggestions
Discuss possible solutions from Scripture, field stories, and practical wisdom. Keep the conversation focused on removing barriers to faithful multiplication.
Choose Action And Accountability
End with two or three action steps, a date for follow-up, and prayer. The person should leave with clarity, courage, and a next appointment.
90-Day Planner
Use this after coaching to name the next obedience step, the next person, the next tool, and the next appointment.
Current Leader
Readiness score: 0 of 8
Field Notes
Next Assignment
Facilitator Notes
A simple way to teach the tool in a cohort, intensive, weekly huddle, or non-residential rhythm.
Weekly Huddle
For L1 and L2 leaders, keep the rhythm concrete: worship, accountability, new lesson, practice, names, prayer, and assignment.
60-90 Day Coaching
For L3 and above, observe real ministry, debrief what happened, and coach from actual fruit and actual obstacles.
Capacity Time
For L4 and L5 leaders, coaching becomes less frequent but more strategic: diagnose bottlenecks, align teams, and strengthen the pathway.
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