22 Jan The Apprentice Model | ‘I Do You Watch’…

PURPOSE: To take you through the process of modeling leadership for your apprentice.  This is an opportunity to train your apprentice and discuss leadership with them, answer their questions and hear their concerns.

1. I do. You watch. We Talk. As an experienced leader leads a Small Group, an apprentice takes time to observe him or her. Within a few days the two should meet to discuss what the apprentice has observed. This debriefing time should include three simple questions: (1) “What worked?” (2) “What didn’t work?” and (3) “How can we improve?” This time of debriefing needs to continue throughout the process.

2. I do. You help. We Talk. In this phase of development, the leader gives the apprentice an opportunity to help lead in a particular area. For example, the leader might ask that person to lead the prayer time while the experienced leader leads the remainder of the time together. Again, this experience should be followed up with a one-on-one to talk.

3. You do. I help. We talk.Now the apprentice transitions from supporting or helping the leader to taking on most of the leadership responsibilities of the team or group.  The apprentice may open the group with prayer or an icebreaker, go over some of the guide. The more experienced leader now begins releasing responsibilities to the new, developing leader. As in the previous steps, the leader and apprentice leader should meet regularly to debrief the ministry experience.

4. You do. I watch. We talk.  The apprentice process is almost complete as the new leader grows increasingly more confident in his or her role. The leader, at this point, would give his or her apprentice the opportunity to fulfil all the functions of leadership, with the more experienced leader now looking on and watching the new leader in action.

5. You do. Someone else watches.This is where the process of reproducing comes full circle. The former apprentice is now leading and begins developing a new apprentice. Ideally, the leader who has developed and released several apprentices, may at some point, coach these leaders he or she has developed.