by Scott Laird
Robert Clinton once noted that only thirteen out of forty-nine Bible leaders he studied “finished well.” In other words, just one out of every three or four ended their leadership journey in a healthy way (The Making of a Leader, 2nd ed., 187). By 2012, Clinton had reviewed around 3,500 case studies on Christian leadership, all with one goal in mind—to help leaders recognize how God shapes their lives so that more of them can finish well (13–14). While his Leadership Emergence Theory offers incredible insight into leadership development, one key takeaway stands out to me: great leaders never stop learning.
Clinton writes about several barriers to finishing well: plateuing, misuse of finances, abuse of power, pride, illicit relationships, and critical family issues (208-10). The following statement resonates deeply with me and helps me overcome the temptation to plateau: “Leaders who are competent tend to plateau. Their very strength becomes a weakness. They can continue to minister at a level without there being a … Spirit-empowered renewing effect” (210). Mentors, one’s perspective, spiritual disciplines, and a learning posture will help overcome the temptation to plateau (210). Clinton states, “The single most important antidote to plateauing is a well-developed learning posture” (213).
I trust that we can all recognize the importance of continuing education as one way to embrace being a lifelong learner and to minimize the temptation to plateau. Continuing education can and should be incorporated in many forms. When I returned from the mission field, I knew my ministry toolbox was almost empty. To become what God called me to be as a leader meant I needed to enroll in a graduate school program as a non-degree-seeking student. I wanted to grow, but I also knew I needed to be held accountable. Theological graduate education was a great fit for me. I eventually pursued degree programs from 1997 through 2019 by taking one class per semester. Continuing education for leaders is not confined to formal education. Consider the importance of other venues. Seminars or retreats often provide encouragement and networking opportunities with other leaders who help sharpen our ministries. Reading is a crucial part of continuing education. The insights of others help shape our thinking. Don’t forget to learn from life. Clinton identifies six characteristics of leaders who finish well. “Characteristic 2. They maintain a learning posture and can learn from various kinds of sources – life, especially” (204).
If you want to pursue additional material dealing with leadership emergence theory, I suggest looking at books and articles written by J. Robert Clinton, Randy D. Reese, Terry B. Walling, and Neil Cole. These are a few of the individuals who apply Clinton’s leadership emergence theory to the life of a leader in ways that have helped me continue to be a lifelong learner.
May the Lord help all of us be lifelong learners as we strive to finish well.
About the Author
Scott Laird became a Christian through the campus ministry at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT in 1978. There he met his wife of forty-four years, Patty. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Scott has been supported in ministry for over forty-three years. Scott and Patty were missionaries to Canada for twelve years before moving back to Montana to serve as the evangelist for the Great Falls Church of Christ. Scott began his thirty-first year of ministry in Great Falls on November 1, 2025, where he now serves in a part-time capacity having handed the preaching role off to Matt Burleson on June 30th, 2024. The community of Great Falls is home to Malmstrom Air Force Base, making for a very transitory church. Since beginning this work in 1994, Scott has helped the church send over 850 individuals into ministry opportunities in the United States and around the world. Currently, the church has an average in person attendance of about 200.
Outside of the traditional roles of preaching and teaching, Scott invests in the wellbeing and unity of the churches in the northwestern plains of the United States and Canada as a consultant and leader. Beginning July 1, 2025, Scott began to serve as the Co-Executive Director for the Kite Center for Ministry out of York University in York, NE. This work is meant to equip and encourage small and rural churches in the Midwest, Norther Plains, and Rocky Mountain regions. These opportunities enable Scott to use his primary gifts of leadership, discipleship, evangelism, and small groups.
Leave a Reply