Summary: When faced with a challenge, we can start considering “What If” scenarios, which are typically worst case scenarios. But 9 times out of 10, we don’t face the worst case scenario and things just work themselves out.

When I was a kid, we would play baseball in an empty lot next to our house. Now, keep in mind, it was me, my older brother and the two neighbor boys. We had two on each team, not much of a baseball game, right? If you ever played baseball like this, you might be familiar with the term, “Ghost on Second.'' The idea was simple. If I, Josh, got a hit and found myself on 2nd base, and it was now my turn to be up at bat again, we would put a “Ghost on Second Base” as an invisible player of sorts. This is pretty convenient when you are short 7 players for a full baseball team. Having a “Ghost on Second Base” can be a really big help when short handed in a backyard baseball game.

But I want to introduce you to something I call, “Ghost Scenarios”. If “Ghost on Second” is a helpful concept when short handed in a baseball game, “Ghost Scenarios” are NOT a helpful concept when short handed in a ministry context. Let me explain. When I am looking at being short handed on a Sunday morning, I can start to play out what I call “Ghost Scenarios” or “What if Scenarios.” I don’t know about you, but most “What if Scenarios” are really “Worst Case Scenarios.”

Does the worst case typically play out? Or do things kinda just work themselves out 9 times out of 10? Typically, my darkest mental predictions don’t become reality. These darker scenarios or “Ghost Scenarios” are really just negative predictions of the future. Often, anxiety sets in as I mentally play out these possibilities to their illogical conclusions. It is quite exhausting for me. Maybe you can relate.

Let’s keep the “Ghosts on Second Base” and out of our minds when we are short handed on a particular Sunday morning. Let’s look at the bright side. Typically things just seem to work out and my worst fears do not materialize.

Summary: If the leader assumes positive intentions of their followers, we are able to win. If the follower positively assumes that the leader truly wants the best possible outcome, they will speak honestly and respectfully.

On our last video, we talked about people as “Roadblocks” or “Street Cleaners.” Honestly, it is about our internal disposition and less about them. Rather than only talking about this with the language of “Roadblock” vs. “Street Cleaner.” I want to broaden our vocabulary. Do you view people who ask you questions as a “Threat” or do you view them as an “Asset”?

Do you view questions as a personal threat? Maybe you have been around a leader who is so brittle that any probing question causes them to react negatively. Insecure leaders don’t want feedback, they just want blind affirmation. Brittle leaders cannot handle feedback.

If an idea is good, it can stand up to questioning. If an idea is good, it will become stronger through questioning. Andy Stanely said, “Leaders who cease listening will soon have followers with nothing to say.” Brittle leaders create intimidating conditions, leading to silence. Therefore, their ideas do not get the benefit of dialogue. Leaders who hold others as threats miss out on people being assets.

This starts with a foundation of shared trust. If the leader assumes positive intentions of their followers, we are able to win. If the follower positively assumes that the leader truly wants the best possible outcome, they will speak honestly and respectfully. If you as a leader view others’ input as a threat as opposed to an asset, you will set a negative and harmful tone. Today, I want to challenge you to view others’ inputs as an asset and not as a threat.

Summary: Questioning team members can be viewed as “Roadblocks” - getting in the way of your vision - or “Street Cleaners” - cleaning up potentially harmful debris from your path. As much as possible, try to view these team members as “Street Cleaners” who are helping you.

You have a new and brilliant idea. As you begin to share this idea, one of your team members seems to have a slight frown. This team member tips their head to the side and slowly raises their hand. They seem to be quietly interrupting your train of thought and your flow of vision. They respectfully ask you a series of baseline questions.

How do you view this person? They are likely viewed as one of two things in your mind. They are either viewed as a “Roadblock” or they are viewed as a “Street Cleaner.” As they ask questions, you might perceive them as oppositional to you and to your vision. You might see them as trying to STOP your vision or idea from happening. I mean, they are questioning you, right? If this is the case, you would likely view them as a “Roadblock.” Roadblocks are frustrating and you might want to REMOVE THEM from the conversation as they are holding up your show.

On the other hand, they might be viewed as a “Street Cleaner.” In this case, as they ask you questions, they may be seeking to remove harmful debris from your path, thus HELPING the vision move forward. As they ask questions, you could see them as ASSISTING your vision. If this is the case, you would see them as helping clean the street from debris. This person would be someone you would want to KEEP IN the conversation, as they are helping you.

Now, to be fair, there are many factors to consider in this situation, like past experience, tone of voice and body language. However, can I challenge you to view people as “Street Cleaners” for your vision and not as a “Roadblock” for your vision? I think it might help us all.

Summary: Exceptional leaders have a super power. This super power allows them to see things that other people do not see. Truly exceptional leaders can see things in people that those very people do not even know exist in themselves.

Today, I want to introduce you to 4 letters. That’s right. Just 4 simple letters that could transform your ability to both SEE and INVITE people. Here are the 4 letters: The Letter “I,” the letter “C,” the letter “N,” and finally the letter “U.”

Now, you might think that these four letters will act as an acronym. You might think that each letter stands for something. Actually in this case, I am only using the individual letters and their phonetic sounds as you pronounce them. If I simply say these four letters, it sounds like I have said a phrase. Listen to the letters as I say them - ICNU. It almost sounds like I am speaking the phrase, “I see something in you,” or “I see in you”.

First, let’s talk about the power of observation. As your eyes look around your ministry, you might see something special in someone. You might see leadership potential. You might see a hidden acumen for teaching or administration. The first two letters, “I” and “C” are my first challenge for you as a leader. Can you push yourself to start observing others around you?

There is, however, great power when we string all 4 letters together and use them as an invitation. Exceptional leaders have a super power. This super power allows them to see things that other people do not see. Yet it needs to go deeper. Truly exceptional leaders can see things in people that those very people do not even know exist in themselves.

After you have observed someone and you have stood up on those first two letters, “I” and “C”, you can approach someone and move from observation to invitation. You can let them know that you have observed something special in them. You now push all four letters together and say “I see in you…” This can and should lead to an invitation to put those observed abilities into action. Start this week to incorporate these 4 simple letters into your leadership acumen. ICNU.

Summary: Success in ministry is not about what you do. Success is ministry is what happens if you were to never come back. We must adopt a deeper trust in God’s ability. It starts with your heart.

You have heard me say it before and I imagine you will hear me say it again, “Success in ministry is not about what you do. Success is ministry is what happens if you were to never come back.” Things will never be good enough for you to feel comfortable leaving them in the hand of another person.

Jesus left the apostles and ascended into heaven. They didn’t understand. They opposed this idea. If it had been better, Jesus likely would have remained. But Jesus said, “If I do not ascend, I cannot send the Helper, the Holy Spirit.” Jesus left but the Spirit remained.

Paul left every new church he planted. Each and every local church that Paul planted was filled with young and baby Christians. This church was new and it was in need of guidance and Paul provided that for a season. This included training, instruction and modeling. This also included the establishment of an order of operation. Paul did not remain at that first planted church as the super-pastor. Do you hear that? Paul did not stay as the super pastor. SO...Paul left but the Spirit remained.

We must adopt a deeper trust in God’s ability. We need to see that our personal presence is not nearly as important as we might think. We must be committed to give ministry away. Let it out of the nest. Let it learn to walk. GIve it wings. Give it room. Let it breathe.

Can I challenge you to set in motion a process to equip others for getting their hands involved in ministry? Yes, this will take time. Yes, this will not happen overnight. But it requires a heart change. It starts with your heart. It will move to your head. Finally, you will find your hands handing off ministry to others.

Summary: Creating a new leader is great. But creating a new leader that is accustomed to reflecting on their practice is great. As they lead independently, help them reflect on what worked, and what they would do differently.

Jesus sent out the disciples, two by two, only after they had spent quite a bit of time observing Him in action. As we have stated previously, modeling is the most important first step in ministry multiplication. The purpose of this observation is to set up a “Release Date.” Remember, Jesus literally sent them out. The point is for them to take off the training wheels and give it a whirl.

However, the process of multiplication has only just begun. After the 12 disciples came back after that first solo run, Jesus took them to a mountain and they got away to revive and reflect. Together, they had a critical debrief session about how it went. Jesus gave them some minor correction and even further instruction.

The whole goal of this process is to let them fly solo. At some point, it is time for them to do the new task on their own. This can be a very big moment and as an engaged leader, I would always make a big deal out of it. Pray for them, write them a note of encouragement and more. You are proud of them. But never forget, they are now doing what you would have to do if they had not been willing to step in and take this challenge.

Before too long, they will be leading independently. This is what we have been working toward. However, an engaged leader still circles back around. Though you are no longer directly observing them do their thing, you want to encourage reflective practice. Meet with them and ask THEM how they thought it went. What worked? What was a flop? What would they do differently?

Creating a new leader is great. But creating a new leader that is accustomed to reflecting on their practice is greater.

Summary: The first step in multiplying ministry is to invite someone to observe you doing the task you would like them to do in the future. Modeling is the most important step in successfully multiplying yourself.

The process of multiplying yourself in ministry might seem daunting. My hope is to demystify the ministry multiplication process. The first step is actually a simple one. All you need to do is invite someone to observe you do the very task you would like them to do in the future. It is just that simple. Modeling is the most important step in successfully multiplying yourself.

Pro tip: Tell them why they are observing you. If all works according to plan, they will be doing this role themselves before too long. They need to know this. There is an important and yet subtle shift that I want to happen: I want them to begin to VIEW things from the leaders standpoint and not just the participants standpoint. Sounds simple, right? Trust me, people will observe with a different perspective if they know they will be doing this at some point soon.

Years ago, I had several student teachers. I had to train them HOW to observe me teaching. It was important for them to be watching me for how I taught, knowing they would be taking on this role soon. It is important to coach your key volunteer to “put on the lense” of an observant learner. If you are teaching, have them watch the things you do and question why you do what you do. I even went so far as to have this future leader take notes with pen and paper. The first step in multiplying yourself is simply to have another watch you do what they will be doing later.

Summary: Often you have to go out and look for the person perfectly equipped to serve in a particular area. But sometimes, one of your “faithful few” might be the one perfectly equipped for the area that you have a need in.

Let me tell you a powerful story. I remember we had a gaping hole in our special needs ministry. The special needs director role had been vacated for some time and the ministry was really struggling. The executive pastor handed this near failing ministry to me with the charge to fix it. I jumped in with both feet and worked hard to learn the insides of the ministry and the needs.

After about 6-months of labor and clean up, we were ready to find a permanent special needs director. Out of nowhere one of my top leaders surfaced as the perfect candidate. She was right under my nose. We transitioned her from her current role into what became the calling of her life. She thrived. This was one of the greenest of green light moments I have ever observed.

Ask yourself, “Which one of my “faithful few” is perfectly equipped in an area?” The challenge before you is often to go out and look for that person. But what if I told you that some of your “faithful few” might have an acumen for a task and they are sitting right under your nose.

In your meetings with your “faithful few,” lead gift assessments, personality studies and more. Be sure to let them know areas that need filling. You will be surprised by the hidden and latent gifts of those closest to you. Bottom Line: Look no further than your closest crew. They might hold some hidden gems.

Summary: By handing off areas of ministry that are running well, you can gain moe time to work on a new area and make it better. Work hard so you can keep working hard, not for ease.

Momentum is a powerful thing. Sometimes the best place to start your ministry multiplication is to find the simplest area to pass on. Ask yourself this question: “Which area is the easiest to hand off in your ministry?” It is like a simple and small snowball. It can start by handing off an area to someone so as to get it off your plate and gain some relief.

The real momentum starts when you take the time that another volunteer is now saving you and applying it to your next area to give away. Listen, the power of multiplication is not that our job becomes easy and we are taking mid afternoon naps every day. Not in the least. You are working hard and passing off areas of ministry so you can tackle something else and make it better.

I used to tell my staff team, “We work hard so we can keep working hard, not for ease.” There is so much to be done. There is little time to do it. Your dreams will not be realized if you are doing all the maintenance work of ministry. You need to get something running, hand it off and get something that is currently NOT running to run! Bottom Line: Give away the easiest thing so you can tackle something else.

Summary: The body of Christ has many different members. If you lack it, someone else has it. You are not intended to excel at all tasks. To multiply yourself in ministry, ask, “which area needs a gift set I lack.”

The body of Christ has many different members. Hands, feet, mouth, elbow and more. We are all created differently. What I am good at, someone else may feel deficient. Taken as unconnected individuals, this could be a problem. However, the body of Christ, when thought of properly, is beautiful in its multifaceted variety. When it comes to multiplying yourself in ministry, you could start by asking: “Which area needs a gift set I lack?”

Beyond giving away areas that I genuinely dislike, some areas are simply outside my sweet spot. However, with intentionality and an eye for spotting giftedness in others, you could off load this role. It is not about dumping it on someone else. It is about seeing an opportunity to give something to someone else and providing life to them. The body of Christ is very well rounded. You just gotta have an eye to discover hidden leaders.

Bottom Line: If you lack it, someone else has it. You were not intended to be a jack-of-all-trades. This is not how the body works. Thumbs are really important as long as they are not trying to smell something. That is the job on the nose. You are not intended to excel at all tasks. This is not a solo sport. This is a team sort of thing. Take a long look at yourself and ask, “Which area needs a gift set I lack?” If you lack it, someone else has it. Find that person!