OVERSEER COURSE LESSON EIGHTY-SEVEN

TOOL BOX FOR THE GENERAL OVERSEER AND

HIS MINISTERS
MODULE EIGHT

Delegate your authority

Henry Epps
founder

HARVEST LIFE
GLOBAL NETWORK
Overseer Course Lesson 87
 Lesson Eighty-Seven

Delegate your authority

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

How to Delegate: Giving Your Job Away

Some church members expect their pastors to be supermen. They must be preacher, leader,
business manager, caring pastor, active community member, and more. Of course, the standard is
often impossibly high. The wise pastor can multiply his ministry by involving others in working
toward the mission of the church.
Delegating to Paid Staff Members
In many churches the pastor leads a staff team. It is reasonable that he should delegate to the church
staff.
Before delegation occurs, the pastor and staff members must have covenanted together to (1) do
the work of the church, (2) be committed to one another in a relationship of trust, and (3) be
committed to personal growth in the love of Christ.
Delegating to staff members should be based on job descriptions that give staff members a sense
of confidence in areas of responsibility. Since the pastor is the leader of the church, the job
descriptions should be developed with the pastor as supervisor. Larger staffs may be organized
with different levels of staff supervision, but the pastor is the leader of the church staff.
Reporting and evaluation must also be practiced if delegating is to be effective. Weekly staff
meeting, or team meeting, is a good time for reporting and evaluation.

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Some pastors find delegation difficult. Delegation is a skill that must be learned and practiced.
Here are a few attitudes to be overcome.
Inability to let go.— In a small but growing church the pastor has always led the Sunday School.
As the church grows and the need for a minister of education becomes apparent, the pastor may
resist letting someone else lead the Sunday School.
Lack of confidence.— If the pastor doubts the competency of the staff, he may find it easier to do
the task himself. It would be better for the pastor to equip and train the staff member.

Fear of competition.— Most pastors have inside them a desire to achieve. Some pastors don't
delegate because they want to look good in comparison to the staff.
Lack of time.— It's ironic, but true. Some pastors decide, It would be quicker to do this myself
than to teach someone else to da it. Yes, growing people takes time, but it is a worthwhile
investment.
Tips for Successful Delegating to Staff Members or Volunteers
Secure mutual agreement.— Determine the task to be done and how accountability will be carried
out.
Seek the right person.— An effective delegator will match people with tasks. Consider the skills
and abilities of the person, but don't forget to pray.
Seek to motivate.— Use encouragement freely. Publicly acknowledge those who are doing a good
job.
Develop understanding.— Make sure what is delegated is fully understood. Give clear, simple
instructions.
Allow for mistakes.— The person who makes no mistakes is not attempting anything challenging
or worthwhile. Hold volunteers and staff members accountable, but allow for inevitable mistakes.
Encourage initiative.— Growing, gifted, skilled people will enjoy taking some initiative in new
actions. Encourage this in those to whom you delegate.
Be persistent.— Don't give up on the person to whom authority is delegated. Bless them with
enough time to find their way and succeed.
Expect results.— No need to apologize. If you have enough confidence in people to delegate a
task to them, let them know that you expect them to succeed.