As I stepped into my position a few years ago at LRC, I was the jack of all trades. I led worship, I preached, I led bible studies, I led a group of student leaders, I led games and I took on extra commitments… and this was my job. Or so I thought.
The kicker was that I could actually get away with doing everything and making sure it was done right. Nothing was really being dropped and the ministry ran smoothly if I was the one doing it all…
And all my leaders and student leaders had to do was show up on their given night and look pretty.
The problem with this style of leadership, is that it’s not really leadership at all.
It’s just one person doing everything for everyone else.
And that’s not leadership.
What it looks like now…
Lately, I’ve been understanding my role as coach more than anything. As I’ve given leadership away, as doug fields would say “I’ve worked myself out of a job”… from the outsiders point of view anyways.
On Wednesday nights, our youth leaders (some who happen to be highschool students) run games and small groups. I will be responsible for curriculum and teaching, as well as other youth leaders will teach the odd night and I’ll basically be a helper during the evening. Our junior high kids love our youth leaders… not just the youth pastor. And when something comes up, PJ isn’t always expected to come to the rescue… it’s often another youth leader.
On Friday nights, senior high student leaders run the show. They do evangelism, they do worship leading, they do games, they do food. And they lead. And they lead very well.
What do I do? I coach. This year, we’ve got a team of 9 student leaders who I meet with once a month for leadership development. We also have a few adult leaders who are here to coach as well. As adult’s we’re there to cheer on our students as they succeed and we’re there to cheer them on as they work through failure. Does it mean everything will run just as smoothly and nothing will be dropped?
Not at all… but it does mean that leadership is being taught and our student leaders will be graduating to take their leadership to other areas within the church and outside of the church…not to mention A-1 adult youth leaders when they graduate.
On Sunday nights, our young adults take turns leading small groups and take part in planning. Some of them even tell me when I’m off my rocker and point out areas of improvement. Did I mention that the same student leaders who graduated highschool are now a part of this group as well?
Fears you face as you give away leadership
If you’re the one man or one woman show at your gig, I desperately plead with you to give away leadership. Even if you can handle it. It will better those you lead in the long run.
I know that as the lead person, you have fears.
You may be afraid that people will wonder what you do day in and day out.
You may be afraid that you won’t have anything to do… yeah right!
You may be afraid that something won’t go right and people will blame you for it.
You may be afraid that others will think you are lazy.
You may have ego issues because you have a vision for your ministry… re-read that last one and tell me what’s wrong with that statement!
But these fears are nothing compared to the joy of working with growing leaders who will one day do the same thing for others as you did for them…
Leadership is never a one man show. It’s all about taking a few, building into them and setting them out take on their world…
Till next time…
