One of the greatest ways to hit a glass ceiling in your ministry is to try to do it all yourself! Trust me I know! I struggle with this daily . . . but I am getting better! Over the last year I have had the privilege of being involved in some intense leadership training. One of the things I learned during this time was the difference between an Achiever and A leader. I learned that I am more of an Achiever than I am a Leader. That’s doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, let me define these two for you:
An Achiever – Gets the Job Done.
A Leader – Gets the Job Done Through Other People!
Based on this definition, which one are you? Well if you are shocked like I was and you find yourself more of an achiever than a leader . . . there is good news. The good news is that all of us can learn to be leaders and even be better leaders. The reality is this, as we become better leaders, more people are going to follow our leadership. When more people follow our leadership, it produces more needs, thus, requiring us to give away ministry opportunities by Empowering other leaders to meet those needs. I wish I could say I have this all down, but this is still real raw in me and something that I am learning as I go. But here are some things that I would say are important to every leader if they want to see their ministry to go to the next level! As a leader you must . . .
Cast the Vision Often
It is important for your team to know where the ministry is headed and why. This will help answer questions about why you are doing certain things a certain way and not doing some things that may have been good in the past. It also allows them to begin to tell others about what is going on in your specific ministry. This keeps you from being the only voice speaking on behalf of your area of responsibly, in my case, students!
Recruit/Hire the Right People
This may sound harsh but it is crucial. The health of your ministry is going to be dependant on the volunteers you recruit or inherit, and the people you hire. Make sure you do your homework before turning someone loose. Empowering the wrong leader can be very destructive and might take months even years to recover from. Getting the right people on the team may take time. Be patient and don’t rush it.
Empower Leaders to Lead
Once you recruit that new volunteer or hire that new staff member, empower them to lead a specific area of ministry. If you have a job description for that specific ministry, communicate those expectations and r responsibilities. However, if you don’t have a job description, don’t feel like you have to know how to do that specific ministry before you hand a ministry off to someone. Maybe you have an idea, but someone else has the expertise, allow them to tell you how their talent or giftedness could be used to enhance, broaden, or deepen your ministry. You will be better off letting them develop the “how” after you share the “what” with them! Remember, the human body is made up of different parts for a reason. The important thing is that all the parts work together to achieve the overall goal, your ministry needs to function in the same way, different parts working towards one goal.
Create an Environment where Failure is OK
Yes I said it. Great successes, many times, comes from several failures. Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from having the faith to try something new. However, if failure happens, learn from it so you don’t repeat it. Developing this type of environment will allow others the ability to be more creative, to try new things, and to take bigger risks! However, navigate wisely, encourage and evaluate often!
Celebrate Victories Together
It’s easy to always talk about the things that need our attention, the areas that need fixed, the opportunities that need to be taken advantage of, and the list goes on. But don’t forget to talk about the good things that are happening. God is at work somewhere, so talk about it! Maybe ask these questions, “Where is God working? Who/What is God using? What has been happening?” These victories, whether big or small, are easily overlooked but worthy to be talked about! Why? Because it validates our ministry, reminds us of why we do ministry, restores our passion for ministry, and creates momentum for future ministry!
Provide Additional Training
Leaders are Learners and training can come in many styles. Provide opportunities to grow as a team as well as opportunities for them to grow personally and professionally. Remember, the health of your ministry is dependant on the health of your leaders. Don’t overlook this area, even if it’s small, do something. Sometimes, the best training is just doing life together!
These are just some thoughts that I hope can help or inspire you give away ministry. I know I still have a lot to learn and would love to learn from you, so here is the question . . .
When it comes to Giving Away Ministry by Empowering Leaders, what have you learned? Please share so I, and others, can learn from you!
Dan Gould 