Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (2)
In Exodus we read: ‘Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said…“What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone… But select capable men… Have them serve as judges… That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain.”’ (Exodus 18:13–23 NIV)
When Jenni Catron was the executive director of a fast-growing church, she said: ‘As a performance-based people-pleaser, I know how Moses must have felt. Quick growth and multiplying campuses... I was trying to lead and manage everything. In the process, I’d become worn out and frustrated. What I was doing wasn’t healthy for our team and the church. In the weeks that followed, we reorganised our staff, empowered leaders with more authority, and developed a pipeline for training and development at all levels. As leaders we must resist the temptation to be heroes and handle it all ourselves. It’s critical to re-evaluate your leadership structure at least once a year. Ministry leadership is tough… but there are things you can do to develop others and spread the responsibility.’
It takes prayer, humility, and patience to develop the right people. But if you delegate wisely, you’ll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people around you will benefit. It’s a win/win for everybody!