Multiplicity

On more than one occasion in the past couple months, usually regarding associate pastors, we 've prayed for associates looking to move up the pastoral ladder, tracking opportunities for what's next in their ministerial career. Yet like any other advancement, it comes from having a solid foundation of faith and a skill set that builds confidence that they can reasonable do the job. Of course, for ministry purposes, it helps greatly that theirs an anointing and calling to another place or rise in ministry.

It's been said by many, that a mark of great leadership is the ability to reproduce more leaders. It was a reminder yesterday morning. It's one thing to reproduce another leader. Its entirely another to establish a track record and develop a pattern of multiplying leaders. If Jesus thought it important to mention the return on investment of two people working together on something, how much greater the return to have multiple leaders taking responsibility over larger areas of work, to accomplish that much more for their efforts.

It helps, that for the aspiring leader, there should be a desire to accomplish much and a willingness to go out and make it happen, in spite of the unknown outcomes. Consider these words from leadership guru, John Maxwell....

"Potential leaders come to you to offer help more often than you go to them to give guidance."

Ministry is, in fact, a team effort. There is no getting around it.  A well-cast vision. A well-thought out plan. A whole-hearted passion. A long-lasting commitment. A willingness to change something that might not be working. An ability to recognize who should be handing what and the time and place they should do so. If such elements are the building blocks to the success of an organization set on building the greatest widget known to mankind; how much more needed when dealing with souls of humanity in light of eternity?!

John Maxwell explains it this way:

The Wrong Person in the Wrong Place = Regression.
The Wrong Person in the Right Place = Frustration.
The Right Person in the Wrong Place = Confusion.
The Right Person in the Right Place = Progression.
The Right People in the Right Places = Multiplication.

Pray, this #seniorPastorMonday,  for pastors as they work to invest in the lives of the leaders and potential leaders within their ministry. Pray for a strength and wisdom to what to impart that will bring knowledge, understanding and growth to the health and success of the receiver. Pray for those pastors struggling to discern and know how they should go about mentoring and developing upcoming leadership within their ministry... that they do recognize and place the right people in right positions. May those aspiring to lead, be people that desire to help before or rather than guidance is given. May pastors not burn out from regression and frustration. May future leaders not stall out because of confusion.  God help in the placement of pastors and church leaders; that churches would witness progression and multiplication.

May the future generations of the church continue to build on the firm foundation of faith already laid, by men & women who remained close to God and properly invested in people.

For your glory. For the advancement of the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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