So...what do we do? We get busy and we get it done...even if it means working extra hours, missing some sleep, or sacrificing in other areas of our life. We get things done...no matter what it takes.
There's only one problem. That's not what our primary calling is. Our primary calling is to "equip God's people for the work of the ministry." In other words, we are called to lead others and empower them to be the "doers-in chief."
If that's the case, then why do we spend so much time doing instead of leading?
One reason is because it's easier and faster to just do it ourselves in the short term than it is to keep the long term in mind and equip others to be the doers-in-chief.
Yes, you can go faster alone...but you can go further together. In the long run, switching to being a commander-in-chief will result in a much stronger, healthier children's ministry. It will help you build a sustainable ministry that will accomplish so much more than you could have done by yourself.
Another reason we lean toward being a doer-in-chief is because of insecurity. We are insecure as a leader and are afraid if someone else does a better job than us, our worth will be diminished or we might even lose our position.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Great leaders intentionally surround themselves with people who are better than they are. Great leaders have a goal of helping the people around them become better and more effective than they are personally. Don't worry. If you can work yourself out of a job...you will always have a job.
Many times we also swing toward being a "doer-in-chief" because we like the spotlight. We like the praise...we like to be seen as the person who "goes the second mile." We like the fact that the success of the ministry rises and falls on us.
Yes...you can do this, but you will become the lid that keeps the ministry from growing and moving forward. A great leader can be gone on a Sunday or a weekend and the ministry goes right on without him or her. A great leader can lead from the shadows.
Becoming a commander-in-chief instead of a doer-in-chief may be just what you need to take your ministry to a new level.
