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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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!

Summary: There are people who find JOY to do that which you AVOID doing. Give away your “Red Light” tasks, and focus on doing what you love to do.

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It is hard work to multiply ministry. It is often even hardest to know where to begin. What would be a good starting place to multiply yourself? Where should you start multiplying? Here is a great starting place: “What is the area you like the least in your ministry?”

Let’s get real. There are areas of the ministry that I simply do not like. When you are a solo leader with no team, you have to do it all. However, the goal is to enlist people who would find JOY to do that which you AVOID doing. This next exercise is what I call, “RED Light, YELLOW Light and GREEN Light.”

First, take an honest assessment of all the items for which you are responsible. Write them all down. Second, put the word RED next to items that slow you down, items you tend to avoid or items you outright hate to do. Red light activities SUCK energy from you. Next, place the word GREEN next to items that you absolutely love to do. Green Light activities GIVE you energy. Finally, place the word YELLOW next to those items that remain or those items that could go either way.

You now know which areas to find someone else to do. Give away your “Red Light” tasks. Bottom line: What is your least favorite thing could be someone else’s greatest joy. Find them.

Summary: As you decide where to start multiplying ministry, consider what area of your ministry has the greatest need. Get back some time by cleaning up the worst area and give it away first!

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Where should you start multiplying ministry? Let’s get super practical, can we? I want you to examine all the areas over which you have responsibility. I want you to stand back and look at the different areas you oversee. Ask this one simple question: “What area needs the most attention in your ministry?”

A great place to start is often with the area with the greatest need. Which area is struggling? What ministry is suffering and anemic? Placing your attention in a hurting area is always a great investment. Why start with a struggling area? Typically, struggling ministries can drain the most time, energy and resources. Moving forward, you want that time, energy and those resources BACK in your life! Shoring up a challenged area can provide untold time to start appearing back into your world.

In order to get this area handed off to a fully trained leader, you will likely have to jump in yourself to assess, evaluate and make decisions. This takes time, yet with the right person, you can effectively duplicate yourself and have someone trained to run point on a previously challenged area. Get back some time by cleaning up the worst area and give it away first!

Summary: You are not being a burden to a volunteer by allowing them to spread their wings and discover who God made them to be. Be a multiplier. Build the church for the longest term win. Stop robbing people from an opportunity to lay up treasure in heaven and start sharing opportunities to serve.

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Many leaders short circuit the blessing of ministry multiplication when they believe the following lie: “I do not want to burden volunteers.” You are not being a burden to a volunteer by allowing them to spread their wings and discover who God made them to be. You are not a burden to them; you are being a blessing to them.

You are also a blessing to the long term health of the church. The plan of the church is to have leaders with enough humility and insight to see the fullest use of the gifts of others IS the way the church grows. The healthiest future church is a church with leaders who build the body. Think with me for a moment of the ripple effect if one leader poured into three, who, in turn, poured into three other leaders who poured into more. A multiplying church is the healthiest church of tomorrow.

Not only are you a blessing to that volunteer leader and a blessing to the big picture church, you are a blessing to yourself. Sure it is double the work to duplicate yourself. But there are several things that personally benefit you. First, you will have more margin in the long run. Second, and most important, you will grow exponentially yourself through the process.

Be a leader. Be a multiplier. Build the church for the longest term win. Stop robbing people from an opportunity to lay up treasure in heaven and start sharing opportunities to serve.

Summary: Find others with raw and unrefined abilities and work tirelessly to hone THEIR gifts so they can the best they can be, maybe even better than you. Build others to be better than you.

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Some people are afraid to multiply themselves in ministry. Some people are afraid and sabotage the whole system by thinking, “What if they outshine me? What if they become better than me?”

Honestly, I hope they DO outshine you! I hope you discover a diamond in the rough. I hope you care for that hidden treasure, polish it and set that stone in the best possible place for all to benefit.

Bad leaders seek to sabotage the opportunities of others so they can be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral. Some people just gotta be the center of it all. Selfish and small leaders are threatened by the building of other gifted leaders. It would be like the quarterback not throwing the ball to the best receiver for fear they might get better press. Yet in doing so, shortcuts the possibility of every team member getting a Super Bowl ring.

Find others with raw and unrefined abilities and work tirelessly to hone THEIR gifts so they can the best they can be, maybe even better than you. Build others to be better than you.

Multiplying ministry seeks to bring out the best in others. People in your orbit should be so happy YOU are in their life. They should be so happy that you are SO generous with providing opportunities for growth. Can you celebrate the victories and growth of another? Always remember, this is the kingdom. This is not your kingdom.

Summary: You will grow exponentially yourself through the process of developing another. And others get better at ministry when you multiply yourself. Ministry multiplication is truly a win-win.

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While I might sound like I am beating a dead horse, I think it is important to continue to say the same thing over and over. Ministry multiplication IS the biggest win. We have talked about obstacles and even objections. Now that I think about it more, maybe obstacles and objections are not the right words. I think we could substitute the word “EXCUSES” for why people do not assertively seek to multiply their efforts in a ministry context.

You might say to yourself, “I am better at it than those under me. I am the best _____ .” You probably are the best at something in your church. Likely, that is why you were hired. Certainly, I came in as a better teacher than those I was mentoring. However, after training them to be great teachers for 18 months, I was now a better teacher than my previous self a year and a half earlier. I get better by multiplying myself. I must know my stuff in order to impart it to another. The teacher is always the greatest student.

However, others also get better when I multiply myself. Ministry multiplication is truly a win-win.

You will grow exponentially yourself through the process of developing another. In order to pass on something of value to another, you must first possess it yourself. Beyond that, the very act of multiplying yourself causes you to reflect, refine and even rediscover what it is that you actually do! You grow. Others grow. The kingdom wins.