Equip and Let Go

Equip and Let Go

Mark Brouwer said, “A man is only a leader when a follower stands beside him.”  The conventional mindset is that followers serve their leaders.  But this is really not the case.  John Maxwell has an entire book devoted to developing other leaders. 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV).

Our desire is to become what God has called us to be.  By doing so, our life comes into alignment with his will.  As a leader we can be used by God to help others discern their life’s calling.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV).

Mentoring relationships are a partnership.  When working with young leaders (who may not even know yet that they are called to leadership) we need to walk side-by-side and challenge and support them.  As a leader, if you delegate tasks you will develop followers.  If you delegate authority you will develop leaders.  This is a challenge to conventional wisdom.   

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV).

Just as Jesus modeled for all of us, the greatest responsibility for leaders is the development of the next generation of leaders.

Jesus understood this concept well so well.  Many would say that He called together quite an unlikely bunch of guys to become his apostles.  They included fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and someone who would betray him.  He spent time developing them; equipping them for the task at hand.  Matthew chapters 5 through 7 and Luke 6:20 – 49 explore the lessons He taught to prepare them to do the work His Father prepared before them.

In preparing to send the Twelve apostles out Jesus delegated and gave each authority to do the task.

He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons.  Mark 3:14 (NIV).

In Matthew 10:1 (NIV), “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”

Luke 9: 1-2 (NIV) 1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Acts 2 shows an ultimate act of delegation and equipping when the Holy Spirit provided each apostle with the Gifts of the Sprit to do the work they had been called to do in building the new Church.

As leaders we need to find those opportunities where we can build other leaders up and prepare them for the work that they are called to do.  A sink or swim approach is not the way to train new leaders.  When you work with young leaders look for those opportunities to challenge them to go beyond what is comfortable and push to the edge of their experience yet provide the support necessary for them to practice their new leadership skills.

When you send out new leaders do you give authority?

Speak Life - Toby Mac