Below is a post from 8/11/17.
Giving Away Ministry
One of the greatest hindrances to making disciples the way Jesus made disciples is when leaders try to do everything themselves. We can sometimes fail to entrust real responsibility to others. This usually comes down to a pride issue. It's when we believe that nobody else can do what we do. Or we even don't want others to do what we do so that we get all the recognition for it. An example would be when our community group has 2 new believers join who need discipleship. I would feel pressure to try and figure out how I am going to fit them into my schedule for discipleship, instead of looking for another equipped believer who could do the job just as well. Jesus knew that He only had 3 years to do His earthly ministry. So, He could not afford to minster in such a way that made the continued advance of the gospel dependent on His presence. If He did that, the work of reaching the world and building a family for God would have ended with His resurrection and ascension. Therefore He had to give ministry away. As disciple makers we should be thinking through how we are going to give away ministry. Here are a few ways to prepare.
- Humble Yourself - Too often we see fruit in ministry (a good thing) and the enemy tries to make us believe it is all about us, that our success is ultimate. We must remember that we are doing God's work, in God's power, for God's glory. It's about Him, not us (1 Cor. 3:5-9). We must also remember that for Jesus to increase, we must decrease, that includes thinking we are the only ones capable of making Him known.
- Give Vision - Jesus often spoke to His disciples about things they were going to do even though they weren't there yet. "I will make you fishers of men." "you will do greater things than me." "when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say." Speak often to your group about the future leadership that God will entrust to them.
- Challenge and Speak Life - Many times when multiplying leaders, people share feelings of inadequacy. In those times challenge them to lean on God for strength where they doubt. Find ways to affirm the things they may not see in themselves. Always point out areas you see them growing in discipleship.
- Take Your Hands Off - When it is time, give people responsibilities in the group. Allow them to feel the weight of success and failure. Do not try to constantly manage what they do, and how they do it unless they ask for help.
- Offer Feedback - After people in your group take a turn stepping up and leading in a responsibility, offer them feedback on things they did well, and things they could improve on.
"We must also remember that for Jesus to increase, we must decrease, that includes thinking we are the only ones capable of making Him known."
Grace and Peace, Scott Long