Learn how to give some of your responsibility away, and watch your ministry grow.

By Elizabeth Greene

Also read: • Adventures in Church Planting • Turning Points

We’ve all been there. One look at the schedule and panic sets in as we realize we have so much to do in so little time. Usually we have one busy season which consumes an even greater amount of time than the regular, ongoing concerns of ministry. My busy season in children’s ministry hit during the summer when we sponsored two camps, vacation Bible school, a children’s musical, and a Family Olympics. The demands of the summer pressed in on me as the fall program and recruiting needs loomed on the horizon. I needed to teach, train, provide long-range planning, develop new programs and lead a staff. How would I get it all done? The task seemed too overwhelming to tackle.

When the weight of ministry wearies our souls, we need to learn the fine art of delegating. The old cliché, “many hands make light work” proves true for those in ministry. We must learn to delegate effectively if we hope to eliminate premature burnout.

Moses knew the strain of heavy ministry demands. The early chapters of Exodus set the stage for the challenges that lay ahead. After the people left Egypt, they faced many obstacles in the desert. Moses led complaining followers who lacked faith that the God who parted the Red Sea would provide food and water in a barren desert. He played military commander, leader, warrior and judge.

Perhaps you juggle numerous roles in a multifaceted ministry. You may serve as leader, administrator, counselor, shepherd and teacher. Perhaps you lead followers who are filled with complaints rather than faith. As you move in and out of your various roles, you must plan wisely so that you will thrive rather than merely survive in the role to which God has called you.

In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, came to visit Moses. He saw Moses sitting alone to judge the people and said to him, “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” (Ex. 18:17, 18 NIV).

Sometimes we glory in “doing it all.” We somehow think that our service to the Lord pleases Him more fully when we are functioning in overload, even if we are working inefficiently. Perhaps you need the rebuke of Jethro to challenge your approach to ministry. Jethro counseled Moses to set up a structure so that others would bear the burden with him and he would endure (vss. 22, 23). Wisely, Moses listened to his father-in- law and did all that he had said.

We can learn some principles of delegation from this passage. First, Jethro told Moses to choose able men. When you have a task to delegate, choose someone who has the skills to do the job. It sounds obvious, but how often do we take the first warm body to fill a need, even if it’s a mismatch? I once had a woman who volunteered to write curriculum for our Sunday school program. I desperately needed the help and initially accepted her offer, but later determined her skills didn’t match the need. Eventually, I asked her to serve in another area but she clung to the project, which created conflict. Wait for the person with the right skills before delegating the job.

Second, Jethro told Moses to choose men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain. In other words, character counts. Choose people who have a love for God and demonstrate a vibrant relationship with Him. I recently observed a young woman lead a training session for our children’s ministry. Her eyes welled up with tears as she spoke of God’s goodness in using us to reach kids for the gospel. Her love for Jesus inspired others to accept the call. Get to know the heart before you hand over responsibility. God looks at the heart and so should we.

Third, delegate rather than dump the job in someone’s lap. Provide a structure that will allow a helper to turn to you if they get stuck. Don’t leave them to drown in a job that proves too tough for them to handle. Moses allowed his men to settle minor disputes, but the difficult ones Moses resolved. He remained the leader and made the tough calls. Make sure you provide the backup needed for your leaders.

Choose Wisely
You may find the perfect person to lead a program. They have the skills and character, but do they have the time? Don’t coax an overcommitted person into taking on further responsibility. At times, I specifically avoid asking my first choice when I know his or her calendar overflows with prior obligations.

Provide Job Descriptions
Before I delegate a task I develop a job description. Then I recruit people to fill the roles. People willingly volunteer when they see the requirements on paper, but often quit if the task continues to grow beyond their expectations.

Follow Up On Progress
Checkpoints along the way ensure that your volunteer stays on track and enables you to determine progress. A simple phone call or meeting will allow the volunteer to ask questions and enables you to redirect, problem solve, and encourage. You must provide a structure of support for successful delegation. One summer my intern designed some wild games for our Kids Kamp. Meeting together along the way helped me to guide her in designing activities more age appropriate. The final games worked at camp because we met together throughout the process.

Provide Lifelines
On the popular game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, a contestant can call a friend when they get stuck on a question. Ideally, that friend serves as a valuable resource, and the contestant advances in the game. When I sit down with someone taking on a job, I provide a list of resources available to him or her. When people get stuck planning a program, I offer them lifelines. I give them names of people to call, books from my library or resources to buy at the bookstore. Whatever the need, I try to help them push through their obstacle so they can continue moving forward.

Celebrate A Job Well Done
Everyone loves to hear the words “Well done! I appreciate your hard work and effort. Thank you.” Tell your leaders how God has worked through them to further the Kingdom. Be specific in your accolades. Praise them publicly. Write a thank you note. Share your joy in watching God do great things through the body of Christ. Your leaders will more likely accept future challenges when you celebrate past work.

Ministry can feel less burdensome when you share the load with others. Guard against the two extremes of trying to do it all yourself versus dumping the entire project on someone else and walking away. God has called us to equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).

The great joy of delegating is to see the ministry grow well beyond you as you equip others for service. Several years ago, I started an inductive Bible study group for fourth and fifth grade girls. I pulled other leaders into the process of leading and teaching the study. The next year the group doubled in size and we added new leaders. When the time came for me to step away from the program, it continued to flourish because able men and women had gained the skills and vision to carry on the work. What a joy to see the work grow beyond me. Delegating will take you down the path of growing the ministry and enduring long term. May your ministry bear fruit as you develop the fine art of delegating.

Also read:
• Adventures in Church Planting
• Turning Points

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