When my husband was a lead pastor, at any given moment he could be found straightening chairs in the worship center, stacking cups in the cafe, or fixing scuff marks on the walls. He cared so deeply about our church that he was significantly invested in every aspect of it and found joy in doing so.

On one particularly snowy day, he spent time before service sprinkling salt on the icy sidewalk outside the front door of the church. A woman who was newer to the congregation pulled him aside and said, “You know . . . you have a really capable team who can do this. It doesn’t have to be you out here on a Sunday morning salting the walk. In fact, you probably should be attending to the things that only you can do.”

It was a good lesson! Empowering your team to be fully invested in the work of the ministry is required for healthy, thriving church ministry. In an upcoming podcast, John contends “we have to let people serve if they are going to be as satisfied as we are when we serve.”

The magnetic pull leaders feel toward the details of day-to-day tasks (tactical work) can prevent them from focusing on broader, strategic thinking. John defines strategic thinking as the sum of focused thinking in your area of gifting. When we shift some of the tactical work to our team, we can focus more on the strategic vision that only the lead pastor can do.

Here are some master keys to guide leaders in getting out of their team’s way so they can serve the Church better:

Be Clear

Communication is critical . . . and difficult to do well. Regular and intentional face time with your leaders increases the probability that everyone on your team understands the vision, goals, and expectations.

Be Simple

You don’t need to excel at everything. Identify a few core areas aligning with the church’s vision and focus on those. Release your team to specialize and thrive in these areas rather than spreading them thin.

Be a Developer

Develop your team by giving them tasks consistent with their strengths and passions. Assign roles that allow them to use their gifts and experiences meaningfully, rather than just giving them busy work. Equip your staff with the necessary tools, training, and support needed to succeed in their roles. What’s more, be a leader that your team can look up to.

Delegate Effectively

With all due respect, stop taking on all the tasks yourself. Share the load with your team. Give them challenging responsibilities that initiate growth in them. Delegating tasks is not only for your good . . .  it is a way to produce belief in your team that they are capable people.

 

 

Avoid Over-Helping

It might feel easier or faster to do things yourself, but that can prevent your team from growing. When you step in too much, it sends a message that you don’t trust them to handle the task.

 

Prioritize Strategic Thinking

The aforementioned “magnetic pull” towards the tactical is real. To lead effectively, you need to carve out more space to focus on strategy. Block off time to think, plan, and pray about the big picture. This enables you to steer the ministry in the right direction rather than just responding to immediate needs. Work ON Your Ministry, Not Just IN It!

Being an empowering leader is about creating an environment where your team feels trusted, supported, and equipped to succeed. The better you get at this, the more the ministry can grow beyond what any one person can achieve on their own. It also fosters a culture of discipleship and collaboration.

If you feel stuck in the tactical tasks of the ministry, reach out to us today and we can get you closer to a more strategic way of leading.

We are rooting and praying for you!

Jaime