Delegating Tasks and Developing People

(Moving from Addition to Multiplication in Your Ministry)

"Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."  (- Acts 6:2-3)

The Day Moses Became a Leader

• In Exodus 18:17-27 Jethro introduces this principle to Moses. "And Moses' father in law said to him, 'The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone'."
• Jethro proceeded to give Moses wise counsel as to how he could delegate the work load to others, and multiply the amount of service being rendered to others. The Scriptures says: "So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he said…"
• Many times in Leadership it is easy for the leader to feel as if he or she must accomplish everything alone. However, as Jethro points out, that will cause one to wear out. So as a result, Moses made changes and began to equip others and share the responsibilities.

Seven Changes Moses Made to Become a Leader

1. He became a man of Prayer (v.19)

"Now listen to me: I shall give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God."

2. He committed himself to communication(v.20)

"Then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk, and the work they are to do."

3. He laid out the vision(v.20)

"Then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk, and the work they are to do."

4. He developed a plan(v.20)

"Then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk, and the work they are to do."

5. He selected and trained leaders (v.21)

"Furthermore, You shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens.

6. He released them to serve based on their gifts. (v.22)

"And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.

7. He only did what they could not do. (v.22)

"And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.

• In verse 23, we see the results of Moses change: strength for Moses and peace for the people.

"If you will do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.

From Minister to Leader:…

There is a difference between a minister and a leader. While every leader is also to be a minister, not  every minister is a leader. Look how they differ.

MINISTER	LEADER
Serves people	Serves people
The goal is to directly meet the needs of people.	The goal is to empower others to meet their needs.
Draws fulfillment from doing the work	Draws fulfillment from equipping others to do the work.
Plays defense to survive.	Plays offense to make progress
Reacts to needs that arise from moment to moment	Creates opportunities to mentor others
Focus is on immediate needs.	Focus is on long-term vision.
Shepherds others	Equip others.

Why Leaders(Pastors) Fail to develop People:

1. They realize that equipping people is hard work.
2. They are insecure or have a poor self-image
3. They feel they are the only one that is qualified to do it.
4. They don't trust others.
5. They have bad habits an unbiblical perspective.
6. They have a low belief in people.
7. They don't know how to rain others.
8. It is easier to lead followers than leaders.

• Developing others will take time, energy, and careful planning. It is a proactive way of leading, rather than the reactive way many leaders unfortunately run their organization. It will also mean that, as a leader, you will need to allow others ownership of the work you are doing. This requires a belief and trust in others and the ability to relinquish control. However, if you commit to equipping people, you will find Jethro's promise to be true in your life and leadership.

Question: Do you find It difficult to equip other people and delegate tasks? Why?

Question: What are some areas you could release control and equip someone to lead.?

How Do we select People to Whom We can Delegate Work?

This is an important question. Who do we choose to equip? the answer may be found in Acts 6:1-4

"In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Good leadership responds effectively to the need for more leaders and workers. In the early church, no one took a vote to determined the identity of these people. The apostles had a specific qualification in mind for the leaders they wanted, and choose men who were….

These people are:

1. Known from their sphere of influence. - brethren
2. Fellow believers.- from among you
3. People who can serve on a team. -seven men
4. Trusted among the people - of Good reputation.
5. Empowered for the task - full of the Holy Spirit.
6. Competent and intelligent - full of. . . Wisdom
7. Responsible - whom we may appoint over this business

How do we Develop Others While We Delegate the Ministry?

1. Know yourself. ( be familiar with the strengths you pass on to them in the work)
2. Know the person you wish to develop (know his/her strengths and weaknesses)
3. Clearly define the assignments. (don't leave anything in questions; write it down)
4. Teach the "why" behind the assignment. (let them know why it is important)
5. Discuss their growth process, as you go. (Talk about how then will grow from it)
6. Spend relational time with them. (Invest time when you are not talking about work.)
7. Allow them watch you minister. ( let them observe and get feedback from you)
8. Give them the resources and authority they need. (provide the tools to do the job.)
9. Encourage them to journal during the process. (help them interpret their growth)
10. Hold them accountable fort heir ministry. (get permission to keep them in line.)
11. Give them the freedom to fail. (communicate that they can learn as they go)
12. Debrief and affirm regularly. (encourage them all along the way as they succeed).

What would Jesus Do? (Luke 9:1-2)

"then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

The Development Process

1. I do it, while you watch.
2. We do it together
3. You do it, while I watch
4. We evaluate
5. You do it, while another watches.

The Truth about Developing people

Nearly every lasting movement in history endured because the first group of leaders reproduced their leadership and values into a second generation of leaders. It become a movement because it was about multiplication and not addition.

Leaders who Develop Leaders Multiply.

There are several distinction between a leader of leaders and a leader of followers.

1. Desire

Leaders who develop Followers ….Need to be Needed

Leaders who develop Leaders …. Want to succeeded

2. Focus

Leaders who develop Followers …. Focus on the WEAKNESS of people

Leaders who develop Leaders …. Focus on the STRENGTHS of people

3. Priorities

Leaders who develop Followers …. Devote effort to those with the most NEEDS

Leaders who develop Leaders ….Devote effort to those with the most POTENTIAL

4. Abilities

Leaders who develop Followers ….are GOOD leaders

Leaders who develop Leaders ….are GREAT leaders

5. Attitude

Leaders who develop Followers …. Lift up THEMSELVES

Leaders who develop Leaders ….lift up OTHERS

6. Time

Leaders who develop Followers …. SPEND time with people

Leaders who develop Leaders …. INVEST time in people

7. Expectations

Leaders who develop Followers ….Ask for LITTLE commitment

Leaders who develop Leaders ….Ask for MUCH commitment

8. Leadership

Leaders who develop Followers ….Lead everyone the SAME

Leaders who develop Leaders …. Lead everyone DIFFERENTLY

9. Impact

Leaders who develop Followers …. Impact THIS generation

Leaders who develop Leaders …. Impact the NEXT Generation

Question: Am I spending my time developing followers or leaders? How am I cultivating a leadership environment?

Application: Who am I developing at this time? Who can I begin to develop? What is my plan for that person?

(From: John Maxwell's Million Leaders Mandate)