Out Of My Mind

Leaders in the first century church had nothing to pattern their structure from. No traditions, no leadership training, no seminars, no John Maxwell books, etc…

They had no choice but to develop the pattern as they went along. The Apostles couldn’t keep all the plates spinning like a circus act and had to do something about the growth in the church.

They found themselves in the food service business, see Acts 6:1-7. Somebody had to do it. It’s called servant leadership – Jesus washed their feet. Nothing is beyond us to do – anyone for that matter.

The mission of the church was at risk and they had to do something. The main thing was no longer the main thing! So they did what any other church would do, they called a meeting! Hahaha

What they found themselves doing was not an unimportant thing but it wasn’t the best thing for them. If they continued the momentum and focus of the church would suffer. It was time to delegate.

Notice they did not ask for volunteers and put a sign-up sheet in the foyer. They chose, appointed and commissioned! Laid hands on and sent out as a delegate.

See Ephesians 4:7-16

Leadership principle #1 COMPETENCE

You must concentrate your energy towards areas in which you are most likely to excel.

What has in the past been a natural and necessary component to getting ministry accomplished must make a radical shift because it is now limiting our effectiveness.

1.    The less you do, the more you accomplish

2.    The less you do, the more you enable others to accomplish

Actively pursue what fuels you and replace yourself to do the things that drain you.

Write down two or three things that you and only you are responsible for.

What have you been chosen for? Volunteered for? Signed up for? Been hired to do?

What is the success for a person in your position?

Ok, now…of the two or three things that define success for you, which are in line with your giftedness?

For the tasks you are doing, which of them are you specifically gifted to do?

Learn to leverage yourself! Identify areas where you will most likely add unique value to the ministry (something no one else can do or match) now, how can you leverage your skills to their absolute max?

That is what any smart employer expects from his employee. Leveraging yourself will generate the greatest and satisfying return on your God given abilities!

1.    Play to your strengths!

Balance is good in many areas but not in becoming an effective leader! Good leaders are not “well rounded” they are men and women of FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Balance in the organization is imperative but not in the sphere of our personal abilities! You obtain balance by bringing people around you who offset your shortcomings and weaknesses.

2. Learn to distinguish between authority and competence

Understand when your authority and competency doesn’t agree. You don’t need to become an expert in every area of your authority to be a good leader. If you attempt to exert authority in areas where you have no competency then you will hinder everything and everyone in that department.

Just because you may have authority doesn’t mean you should go into an area and begin to demand others to do it your way…they may be more competent than you. If you begin to demand your way and you are not as competent it results in abuse.

3. Distinguish between competencies and non-competencies

Inability to own up to personal shortcomings is rooted in some sort of insecurity. This may be easy for others to see but difficult for us to see ourselves. It takes personal security to admit weakness…but actually admitting weakness is a sign of strength.

Successful leaders usually assume they will be competent in other areas as well even when the reality is often that they are not. Some leaders attempt to hide their weakness which diminishes their effectiveness.

4. Guilt

We don’t play only to our strengths because we feel guilty delegating our weaknesses.

Not everyone hates to do what you hate to do! Others may be energized by what drains the life out of you!

Your weakness is someone else’s opportunity!

5. Unwillingness to develop other leaders

“If you want it done right, do it yourself” may be true but doesn’t produce disciples. It really is easier and less time consuming to just simply do it yourself than to train someone else.

Redefine leadership – it is not doing things right, it is doing things through other people.  Great leaders work through other leaders!!!!!!!!!!!

Multiplying efforts will result in multiplying results.

*outline adapted from The Next Generation by Andy Stanly, Multnomah Publishers, Inc