Just because you’re the leader doesn’t mean you’re the best at everything.
Matter of fact, you probably have many areas of weakness.
The best leaders know that…and create space for others.
Early on in my pastoral leadership, I thought the more I did, the better leader I was. But then I realized the weight of what I was carrying was too much for me. Sure, other people were involved, but I had my hands in everything.
And I was burning myself out.
Through this painful process, I learned an important lesson. Living the good life isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about what I get done through others.
It has less to do with the size of my task list and more to do with spreading it. My weakness is someone else’s strength.
It’s about enabling others.
It’s about not working alone.
It’s about pouring yourself out.
The Chain of Discipleship
Worship leadership, ministry, and pastoring is all about discipleship. It’s not a platform to broadcast your brilliance.
Here’s a question: Who are your disciples discipling? It’s one thing to pour into someone. It’s a whole new level of influence when your disciples begin to disciple.
Stop worrying so much about yourself. Matter of fact, if that’s all you focus on, young, gifted leaders may flee elsewhere to find their place.
Instead, empower others to do what you struggle with.
If you’re not the best singer…be OK with that and give space to those who are.
If you’re not the best speaker…give space to someone who is.
If you’re not the best arranger…make room for the person who is.
The Truth About Success
Oftentimes we look at gifted artists and we despair. We could never be that good. Adele, for example. She’s good. But without the producers, arrangers, and marketers behind her, she wouldn’t have gotten where she is.
Behind every success is someone who chose to pour themselves out.
The truth about success is no one achieves it alone.
Your weakness may just launch someone else into their destiny.
It’s your choice today. At the end of the day, answer the question “Who did I pour into?” You should be empty. You should be spent, spending yourself on others.
Go, therefore, into all the world and…make disciples.
Question: I know it’s a vulnerable question, but what is an area of weakness in your ministry? How can you use that to your advantage? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
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Great truth here bro, thank you, I’ll look up your ebook too.
M_
Thanks bro!
Yes David. I love this.
There is such broad diversity in our worship team, and I’m comparatively weak in a number of areas. I’ve handed off the responsibility of choosing our worship set to the guy who is gifted in that role. I’m blessed with a music educator who tutors the team to get the most out of the arrangement. I have singers who have the ability to spontaneously, through spoken word (and spoken Word), relate the lyrical content to Scriptural reference and to our daily faith-walk. We complement each other as the body of Christ. The Father has assembled us as one with a wisdom only He possesses. We recognize, honor and are blessed by that.
Your sharing has been of such great value to me as I grow in this team leader role; as a worship musician and as a Christian. Thank you!
Thanks sandy! You seem to have a great system of discipleship happening.
Today I was contemplating how Jesus did not choose the book smart or even church star types to teach. He was a Rabbi in his culture and he selected those who had not made the cut to be “spiritual” Instead he called to brothers who cared for one another, men who gathered and sought fish and knew how to handle nets and boats and marketplaces, in team settings and among all types of peoples and weather and conditions. What a teacher he is, one of action. He wrote His word in them and revealed his kingdom to them, but they did not start with it on their tongues, in the end they got to tell and wrote down his life story for us to know today. “I will make you fishers for men, if you follow me” He brought many hiding behind religious and governmental systems to true faith and living as well.