This guest post was written by Josh Denhart.
Multiplying yourself in ministry is the biggest win.
However, I often hear objections to this method. I would even go so far as to call them excuses for why people do not assertively multiply their efforts in a ministry context.
Excuse #1: I’m the pastor – it’s my job.
The role of a pastor is to build up the body to do the work of the ministry.
You, as a pastor, are NOT to be a doer. You are a trainer, a multiplier, and a developer.
Your church will NEVER be able to hire enough staff to meet all the needs of the ministry. The smartest churches hire leaders who build up others and not just do the work themselves.
Bottom Line: A doer of ministry is addition. A builder of others is a multiplier.
Excuse #2: It is easier to just do it myself.
It IS easier right now, but not for long.
Expectations will inevitably increase. Demands on your time will certainly compound. Additional duties will come your way. The wise builder plans for future growth now by building into other leaders, thus multiplying the ministry.
When I visited Arizona, I was shocked to see the massive man-made riverbeds. These cement channels were installed in the anticipation of the one time in the year when the rains hit hard. Intelligent leaders built for a future downpour.
Working hard now makes tomorrow’s anticipated downpour a welcome thought. The key is to build systems, structures, and teams to support future growth.
Bottom Line: Build now what you hope you will need in 5 years.
Excuse #3: I am better at it than those under me.
You probably are the best at something in your church. Certainly, I came in as a better teacher than those I was mentoring. However, after training others to be great teachers for 18 months, I was now an even better teacher myself! I get better by multiplying myself — and I got a team of great teachers in the process.
You will grow exponentially through the process of developing another. Beyond that, the very act of multiplying yourself causes you to reflect, refine, and even rediscover what it is that you actually do!
Bottom Line: You personally get better.
Excuse #4: They might be better than me!
Honestly, I hope they DO outshine you! I hope you discover a diamond in the rough, treasure it, polish it, and set that stone in the best possible place for all to benefit.
Bad leaders sabotage the opportunities of others. Selfish and small leaders are threatened by the building of other gifted leaders. Find others with raw and unrefined abilities and work tirelessly to hone THEIR gifts so they can be the best they can be, maybe even better than you.
Bottom Line: Build others to be better than you.
Excuse #5: I do not want to burden volunteers.
You are not being a burden to a volunteer by allowing them to discover who God made them to be. This is a blessing!
You are also a blessing to the long-term health of the church. A multiplying church is the healthiest church of tomorrow.
Building up leaders will leave you with more margin and give others room to grow in their giftings and glorify God.
Bottom Line: Build the church for the long-term win.
Conclusion
By recognizing and countering these excuses, you can move from being the leader to a multiplying leader. Whatever the excuse, God wants you to grow your ministry, and He can do it through you.
