There is a direct correlation between developed leaders and highly developed churches. When I find a church that is diseased, it is often traced to an under-developed leader who is positionally in office but functionally absent in crucial areas. Here are a few ways to end the famine of leadership in today's church.

1. Build your base of knowledge.

Each budding leader must consistently increase his or her base of knowledge, and that is primarily done through reading. Learning from a book written by a proven leader is the most inexpensive way to increase your knowledge base.

2. Build an inspiration package.

You alone are responsible to present an inspired, knowledgeable, energetic, and healthy "you" to every situation. One way I do this is to be around people who inspire me. They bring out the best in me by challenging my thinking. Identify who these people are, and increase the priority of spending time with them. It will do you more good than a semester in seminary.