Who to focus on?

Existing leadership or staff team members.
Key church "workers" - people who are already making a significant contribution to the work of the church.
People you believe to be emerging leaders.

Initially you may be well served to focus on three to five people, but you can grow this to eight over time once you have mastered the approach. Ideally over half should be leaders or future leaders - people who can in turn develop others in their gifts and talents.

Some may object to concentrating on the select few, arguing that it shows favouritism. Yet Jesus chose twelve disciples from among the crowds of followers to work with. He did this with the knowledge that they in turn would encourage and develop others. Thus, developing the ministry of just a few individuals within a large church can enable them in turn, to develop the ministry of others within their areas of responsibility. This requires a church culture to be established so that people will expect to learn from one another and to share responsibility for this both with each other and with the leadership. If this can be achieved, that church will have unlocked the doorway to the exciting potential of a church who are moving forwards together, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach them through each other.

Spotting Emerging Leaders.

Here's a checklist of seven things to look for when spotting emerging leaders.

Your instinct tells you that they are a leader - your instinct may be right or it may be wrong, but it's a good start. Great leaders are persuasive and powerful communicators, often with a clear idea of where they are heading. You can often sense this.
Experience of leadership from outside the church. Commercial leaders and managers don't necessarily make good leaders in churches, but they may well have many of the necessary communication and team working skills, and the ability to motivate others.
Those who are passionate about the church - whilst not all of the people who are passionate about the church will make great leaders, but leaders who are not passionate about the church and its gospel will become diverted into doing what is popular, or what is easy, rather than what is right for the church.
A desire to change things - leaders are rarely satisfied with the current situation, seeing better possible alternatives, and having a desire to create these.
Those who are willing to take on challenges - good emerging leaders don't duck the difficult things that others may simply avoid.
Those who are often listened to by others. When they speak in a debate, others listen. When the going gets tough, the people whom people naturally turn to are likely to have some leadership capability.
A spiritual maturity that gives some confidence that their personal lives and integrity will stand the test of Christian leadership. They will be able to "walk the talk", maintaining the confidence of the Christian, and surrounding community.