1. Don't just believe it matters, but do it consistently like a pro!
The Struggle
Every pastor knows developing leaders is essential. And yet most of us never truly do it. Not because they don’t care, but because the system breaks down. Sadly, we are not alone in this problem.​ Lifeway Research reported that:
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77% of pastors say developing leaders and volunteers is one of their greatest ministry challenges
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68% say they struggle to train their current volunteers
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Younger pastors feel this pressure even more intensely
Leadership development isn’t optional.
SSM Team Development has made a real difference in my leadership and in our ministry. Over the last three years, I have led our team through twelve books that were deep, accessible, and genuinely transformative. Those rhythms have shaped our leaders and strengthened our ministry in lasting ways.
– John Oliver, FBC West Point
People stay where they are being developed. Research from Barna and broader workforce studies shows that nearly 80 percent of Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to stay in environments with intentional development.
That matters for volunteer teams. It matters for ministry staff. It matters for the long-term health of the church.​
The Difference Maker
3. Form disciples, don't just train volunteers.
SSM Team Development exists to solve a problem every pastor feels but rarely has time to fix.
How do you develop leaders spiritually and practically without becoming a full-time trainer?
We built this system so formation does not depend on your availability, energy, or bandwidth.
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Curated by pastors, not algorithms
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Over 10,000 books read across theology, leadership, discipleship, and spiritual formation. We do the heavy lifting so your team gets clarity, not overload.
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Leaders engage curated books and authors they can return to long after their roles change. Growth does not disappear when access ends.
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We focused on spiritual formation and then leadership growth
This is not just student ministry training. It is development rooted in character, conviction, and calling. Each resource is broken into four or five five-minute videos that highlight key ideas and guide meaningful discussion.
Reliable in every season. When the ministry gets busy or unpredictable, quality does not drop. You can send the videos, and the formation continues.
Why it's better...
Do more than just train!
2. Healthy volunteers need more than just technique.
Most volunteer training focuses on systems, policies, or student ministry mechanics. It helps people do a job, but it rarely helps them grow as believers. The result is predictable.
Volunteers are trained for a role they may only hold for a season, and that growth slows or stops when that role ends. Materials disappear when access expires, so spiritual formation becomes optional instead of central.
Pastors do not just need better training. They need development that lasts.
4. Retain good leaders and develop great ones!
People STAY where they are being developed.
Everything you need to create a culture where your leaders grow and choose to stay!
5. Simple to start. Flexible to sustain.
Choose the direction.
We'll provide the structure.
SSM Team Development is built to fit real ministry rhythms, not ideal ones. There is no fixed schedule. No forced track. No pressure to keep up. take the time you need to go deep with your team!
HOW IT WORKS:
1. Sign up for Team Development: You receive full access to the SSM Team Development Library. Everything you need lives in one place and is always available.
2. Choose the books that fit your team: Decide the books your team works through based on where they are and what they need most right now.
3. Set your own pace: Weekly, monthly, or seasonal. The pace is yours to fit your ministry and team!
4. Share the videos with your team: Send the short training videos by text or email. Leaders watch on their schedule and come ready to engage.
5. Lead meaningful conversations, not lectures: The discussion prompts provided are designed so that no meeting starts with awkward silence, but they lead to engagement and change!