second decade (2 of 3)
February 27, 2008
Here are some more lessons from my first decade of ministry that will help me as I head into my second.
- Do what only you can do. There is so much work to be done, and in the early years you’re forced to be involved in all of it as you get things off the ground. As soon as possible, though, start delegating. Determine those things that only you can or should do, and focus more of your time on doing those things. Delegate anything that doesn’t fit into that. Spend your time and energy on that which makes you the strongest asset to your team.
- Give authority with responsibility. If you give someone a job, give them full authority to actually do it. Paint the picture of the end-result you’re looking for, but give them the freedom to determine how they get there. Micro-management inhibits impact. Trust your team; they have strengths in areas you don’t.
- Do it afraid. Don’t wait until you have all the answers or feel fully confident before you step out and do what God’s called you to do. Courageous leadership means making tough choices when you don’t feel brave at all. Fear paralyzes, but courage shrugs its shoulders and takes a step anyway.
Hi Alece. Thank you for your word of encouragement. Our deepest desire is to obey the Lord’s Will in all things. I strongly believe faith is the foundation of obedience.
P.S. Can’t wait to see you again soon!
A lovely dessert to the delicious three course meal that you are serving up would be some personal stats. If I might be so bold as to ask if we could know things like: what percentage of your time is spent doing the want-tos vs. the have-tos, how many times have you been tempted to give up, and in the last ten years how many kids would you estimate have had a chance at hope as a result of your obedience. I am sure that we would also all love to know how it is that you stay so beautiful amongst such dire circumstances – but that mystery is probably too great to be revealed in a blog post.
:o)
i agree with what angie said :)
that last statement you wrote…oophf
amazing thoughts, friend
I know it sounds silly, but I cried reading the third lesson. It spoke directly to me.
I cannot tell you how much these three lessons have helped me. Being a youth pastor is something that I never thought I would do. And now that Landry has to be gone every Wednesday, I’m heading it alone.
“Do it afraid” was exactly the encouragement I needed for tonight. I am afraid all the time that I won’t get it all right….that I can’t possibly reach them all the way someone more qualified would. But I have to know that I’m qualified simply because He’s placed me here…and to draw courage from knowing that.
Thanks for all your posts that lift me up so well!
I know it sounds silly, but I cried reading the third lesson. It spoke directly to me.
I cannot tell you how much these three lessons have helped me. Being a youth pastor is something that I never thought I would do. And now that Landry has to be gone every Wednesday, I’m heading it alone.
“Do it afraid” was exactly the encouragement I needed for tonight. I am afraid all the time that I won’t get it all right….that I can’t possibly reach them all the way someone more qualified would. But I have to know that I’m qualified simply because He’s placed me here…and to draw courage from knowing that.
Thanks for all your posts that lift me up so well!
Good stuff friend- you have a lot of wisdom to share!