As I look towards launching a new campus, opening a new building and starting a service on Thursday night, I’m being challenged to train new leaders. Here are 5 principles I want them to know before we ever talk equipment or technology.

1. Replace yourself. Rule #1: Someday you’ll die, and there better be someone there to take your place.

That might be a little harsh, but you probably will get sick.
Or go on vacation.
Or sleep in.
Or get burnt out.

Replacing yourself doesn’t mean you have nothing to do. You still lead. It just means that there is someone training to do the things you do. If there isn’t, you’re going to be very busy…and you’re probably not going to be leading. Allow yourself not to have specific tasks so that you can see the big pictures and the small details.

But it’s not just about spreading the work, it’s also about sharing the mission. When you allow others to step up and lead, you allow them ownership of the process. And when you allow someone to come along side, two things happen.

a. God works when they work. In their lives, their hearts and their ministry. It may not be the only time He’s working…but He is working. God works a lot when people are actively involved in serving Him. Spread that circle wider.

b. You get another trusted opinion to help shape the process. And trust me, you need a second opinion. You’re always working from a limited perspective (usually the top looking down). It helps to have someone from the bottom looking up – and telling you about it.

2. People will rise or fall to your level of expectation. It’s true. You set the standard for acceptable behavior. If you’re late, they’ll be late. If you’re unprepared, they’ll be unprepared. If you’re not excited, they won’t be excited. As a leader, they are taking their cues from you.

Watching.
Waiting.
Listening.
Learning.

If you give them permission to give 80%, they’ll give 80%. You set the tone for everything. And it’s not just what YOU do, it’s what you allow them to do. I learned this one the hard way.

When I first started in ministry, I was so concerned about losing volunteers that I let them do whatever they wanted. Show up whenever they wanted. Have any attitude they wanted. I was surprised when my dropout rate was high! The problem was that I never challenged them. I never gave them something to aim for. I never gave them vision.

It’s tough in ministry. Volunteers don’t have to be there. The only vested interest they have is the vision you give them. Don’t set the bar low. That’s not worth jumping over.

What’s the vision you give to your volunteers?
What do you let them get away with?

TO BE CONTINUED…