“It is just easier if I do it myself.”

This statement is one I have heard in a variety of ministry settings and situations. If we are willing to admit it, we all have said this statement ourselves. 

Delegation seems pretty good on paper, but putting it into practice in ministry can be very challenging. We worry about whether  someone will take care of the details and  if there will be appropriate follow through. We wonder if the ministry will suffer, and whether it is even worth it for us to try and develop someone else. 

Yet our ministries may be limping along because we refuse to release responsibility and develop others along the way.

A ministry without delegation is not only difficult to sustain; it may also be missing opportunities for kingdom impact. 

I want to share three important considerations that can help us move past the delegation dilemma.

Delegation is Christlike

One of the beautiful characteristics of Jesus’ leadership was His willingness to entrust meaningful responsibility to others. 

Jesus invited His disciples along. As they spent time with Him, He taught them the truths of the kingdom and sent them out with authority to proclaim the good news (Mark 3:13-15). He held firmly to the mission, while inviting others to participate in it.

We see a similar pattern in the ministry of Paul. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul describes leaders who are given to the church for equipping purposes. We are not simply called to accomplish ministry tasks; we are called to develop others for kingdom service. 

Refusing to pass the ministry baton may unintentionally limit the people God has placed around us and entrusted to us as we work together to accomplish His purposes. Delegating allows ministry tasks to get done, but, more importantly, it helps develop people for further kingdom work.

Delegation Develops People

Early in my ministry, I experienced two different approaches to delegation.

First, I was given the “go-for” responsibilities. Go get the donuts on Sunday morning. Go pick up supplies for Wednesday night. Go find the items needed for camp. 

These tasks were necessary, and I was glad to serve. But while I was helping make ministry happen, I was not developing as a leader. Ultimately, I was just an extra set of hands. 

Now, compare this to a different season of ministry.

Later,I served with someone who approached delegation differently. My pastor at the time saw potential in me that I had not fully recognized. He once commented that he hired me for what I could do, not for what I had done. He entrusted me with meaningful ministry responsibilities, stepped back to allow me to lead, and gave insight to guide me when things did not go as planned. 

He was not simply trying to make life easier for himself. He was developing me as a leader. 

Looking back, I can identify three qualities that shaped his approach: foresight, insight, and trust. 

He had the foresight to see the leader I could become, the insight to guide me in challenging waters, and the trust to hand the baton over to me. 

This experience taught me something very important: The best delegation doesn’t simply transfer responsibility; it develops capacity.

As leaders we are miners of potential. We should be seeking out the leadership gold within others. They may not have demonstrated these capabilities just yet, but we should seek to identify and cultivate that potential

Obviously, we will not ignore the essentials of character, maturity, and accountability. Rather, we must be willing to fully invest in someone rather than expecting them to show up fully equipped. 

God did not call us into ministry because we possessed all that was needed to accomplish the task. Our sufficiency only comes from Him (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

It is our privilege as leaders to help others discover, develop, and steward the gifts God has entrusted to them. 

A Delegation Framework

Now, let’s consider a framework for beginning the delegation process.

First, we begin with foresight. Before delegating, pray and begin to consider who God has entrusted to you. Make a list of potential leaders around you. Look beyond current ability and focus on character, faithfulness, willingness, and potential. 

Ask yourself: Who around me needs an opportunity to grow, and what responsibility could help them take that next step?

Second, consider insight. Insight means providing the person you are developing with clear expectations, access to resources, and honest feedback. 

You will not eliminate every mistake, but you can create an environment where someone can grow through responsibility. 

Ask yourself: Am I equipping this person to succeed, or simply expecting them to figure everything out?

Finally, leaders must trust others. This step might be the most difficult. It is possible for leaders to provide both foresight and insight while still refusing to release responsibility. 

Ask yourself: Am I giving this person responsibility along with the authority necessary to carry it out?

Moving Beyond the Delegation Dilemma

Delegation may come more naturally for some leaders, while for others it is a constant struggle. It might feel like you have tried delegating before and it did not produce the desired result. You might feel pressure from congregants to handle everything. Or you may have convinced yourself that developing others would just take way too much time and effort. 

Whatever it is you are feeling, consider this: What if you are being held back as a leader due to persistently holding on to every responsibility?

God is most likely calling you to something more, but that means passing the baton to a new leader. 

You will not hand over everything in one fell swoop. Instead begin to think through these questions:hat is one conversation you need to have? What is one task to delegate?  does it look like to create space for someone else to lead? 

To become the leader God is calling you to be might just mean learning to let go. 

Prayer Prompt

Father, thank You for the call You have placed on my life and the opportunity to lead others. Grant me humility, give me clear vision, and provide me with wisdom to identify future leaders around me. Help me to lead in a way that develops others and brings kingdom impact for the glory of Your Name. Amen. 

Guy Burke serves as Director of The Timothy Project and Global Discipleship Pastor at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is passionate about encouraging and equipping pastors and ministry leaders to lead faithfully, make disciples, and help the local church thrive.