The Ministry of Delegation
As the ministry grows, the necessity of delegation grows as well. The need for delegation arises when we reach our natural and spiritual limitations. When a ministry becomes more complex, a point is reached where the leader is no longer able to cope with every aspect of the ministry on their own. Realizing that neither time nor their efforts are adequate to meet the needs of the people they lead. Before this point is reached, a plan for delegation should already be in place.
The inability or unwillingness to delegate to others can stall ministry growth and produce burnout in the leadership team. This is a common mistake that small ministries make, and often, it is the reason they stay small.
An excellent analogy for delegation is “the ability to score without touching the ball.” Learning to accomplish things through others involves the skill of delegation. It is an essential part of effective leadership. Delegation should be viewed as a ministry in itself.
Self-awareness
The Ministry of Delegation begins with self-awareness and an honest assessment of our limitations. Identifying the areas where we are weak will help us target the right people with the proper graces and abilities to complement the ministry. No one likes to admit they have areas of weakness, but we all have them.
An honest self-assessment can be brutal and usually requires the input and feedback of other peers and leaders. If married, our spouse can be a tremendous asset in this department. We don’t just trust our point of view because our perspective can often be filled with blind spots. We all have blind spots, and we need others to help us see from a broader point of view. One of the most common blind spots is believing others have them and we don’t. The need for a ministry of delegation is a blind spot with many leaders that can cripple a ministry.
In Exodus 18, we see a powerful example of the need to delegate. When Moses was leading the children of Israel, he came to a point where Jethro, his father-in-law, had to point out his need to delegate responsibilities. Moses was sincere, but the need to delegate was his blind spot.
Exodus 18:13-23 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover 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. 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. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
Bearing the burden of ministry ourselves is never God’s plan. As individuals, we are not capable of fulfilling all He has called us to do. We are called into a community with relationships that God flows through. Every part of the body has a role to play, a function and purpose that will help edify the body as a whole.
Every leader must realize that they need to surround themselves with solid relationships that can share the ministry load. This is the only way to fulfill God’s plan.
There is a powerful truth in Ephesians 4 that will help us understand this.
Ephesians 4:16 – From whom (Christ) the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Notice in this passage that supply comes primarily from the jointsin the body, not the parts of the body.
A joint is where two parts meet together, like an elbow or a knee joint. It is the relationship between the parts that bring spiritual supply.
A healthy relationship causes the connected parts to be more mobile and more effective, increasing the ability and strength of all the connected parts. It is no coincidence that Jesus used this analogy. If you have ever had an injured joint like an ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist, you know how debilitating and restricting it can be.
It is the relationships between the parts that bring the needed supply of the Spirit for ministry growth. If relationships are healthy and every part is in place, effectively working and doing its share, growth, and edification in love is the result.
This is why it is essential to be deliberate about who you delegate to. Maintaining a healthy relationship with those you delegate to is crucial to success.
General Guidelines for the ministry of delegation:
- Define the responsibility to be delegated.
- Select faithful individuals (at least two) who can carry that responsibility.
- Assess their gifts, graces, and skills and tailor the training accordingly.
- Give clear and precise expectations in writing.
- Supply them with all the necessary tools and resources needed for success.
- Develop a plan to support and communicate.
- Provide regular feedback on results.
Delegate early
Try to delegate responsibilities early to avoid unnecessary pressure. Having a ministry of delegation in place early prevents stress on the leaders and sets up the person we are delegating to for success. Waiting until things get to the point of neglect and panic makes it difficult for everyone involved. If we want to do great things for God and have the most impact on our circle of influence, delegation must be a part of our leadership culture.
Select the Right People
Always delegate to a deacon or elder. This ensures that the person has the character to represent the ministry. Make sure they have the time to take on the responsibility. Before sending them out to tackle the new responsibility, ensure the person has all the training and resources needed to succeed. Try to delegate to people who are better than you in that specific area and let them do the work. Look for people who already have a mindset of excellence and refuse to settle for anything less than remarkable results.
Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Be clear and specific about what is expected. Give information on what, why, when, who, and where, but leave the “how” to them. Don’t be too concerned about how it gets done, but that it gets done right, with integrity, and on time. Confirm and verify goals and expectations regularly and get updates on progress. This allows you to give needed feedback and encouragement and identify any areas of further training that will help and support them.
“Don’t tell people how to do things; tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” ~ George S. Patton ~
Delegate Authority with the Responsibility
Giving people the authority to make certain decisions, use their creativity, and even recruit others to help accomplish the task allows the person to take ownership of the responsibility. It shows that we value their opinions and trust their judgment. This helps maintain a healthy relationship and grooms them for leadership in other areas.
It is frustrating to be given a task without the authority to decide how it gets done. Micro-managing every task we delegate will run people off and prevent us from building a solid leadership team. The best leaders are the ones who have enough sense to pick good people to do what they want done and self-restraint to keep from micro-managing while they do it. When we delegate authority with responsibility, we create healthy environments that groom and encourage emerging leaders.
Evaluate and Recognize Performance
Evaluations focus on the results more than the methods. Celebrate the wins and give credit where credit is due. Analyze the cause of insufficient performance and bring corrections as necessary, but don’t be too quick to take a project away from someone. Instead, continue to work with the person and ensure they understand the project as their responsibility. Advise on ways to improve and be willing to be a resource yourself. This sends a message that you believe in them and want them to succeed. This approach inspires people to be better, empowers them to reach higher, and motivates them to try harder.
Every person we lead has God-given gifts and talents. Delegation is an excellent way for people to function and develop in their gifts and graces. This promotes growth in the individual and brings healthy challenges that stretch their faith and empower them for Kingdom use. Great leaders empower others to become all God created them to be.
Question: What are two reasons that delegation is essential?
Question: Why is self-awareness critical when delegating responsibilities?
Question: What are two areas you are weak in?
Question: Can you name some guidelines for delegation?
Question: What was Moses “blind spot” in Exodus 18?
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Understanding doesn’t come by talking, it only comes from listening and learning. Being a skilled listener is the most important part of being a great communicator. Learning to hold your tongue is a valuable skill for anyone, but for leaders, this is a must.
Listening to people is more than just hearing words. Listen with our eyes when people are talking, pay attention to how they enter a room, to their tone, body language, eye contact, emotions, and any emphasis on words or phrases. Listening to people is about gathering information so we can provide the proper response. If we pay close attention and let people do most of the talking up front, the proper responses will usually become clear. Many times from the one talking.
“Good communication is a two way street. Good communicators promote an equal amount of traffic in both lanes, understanding that the listening lane is the first one traveled.”