MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Ed Young: How to Make Leaders Out of Lackluster Followers

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, October 17, 2005
Viewed 147
(8) comments so far

Proverbs 11:13 says, "You can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy" (GNT). And people can only prove trustworthy by taking on responsibility. At home, it?s allowing our kids to borrow the car, to use Dad?s tools, to help in the kitchen, or to go to summer camp. In the marketplace, it?s letting employees put together the sales presentation without us, run a staff meeting on their own, or write the report for the company president. Among peers, it?s trusting someone enough to share our deepest hurts and our greatest hopes.

After graduating from seminary, I went to work in a large church. In fact, it was and still is one of the ten largest churches in America. I remember the first time my boss walked into my office and said, "Ed, we want you to give the opening prayer this Sunday." That may not seem like a huge task. But for me, a 20-something fledgling pastor, even praying in front of thousands of people was a little intimidating. I can still remember anxiously stepping up to that imposing wooden podium as several thousand eyes locked on to me, waiting for me to speak.

As weak-kneed and nervous as I was, that opportunity gave me a self-esteem boost. By giving me a greater level of responsibility, my supervisor communicated that he trusted me. And I jumped at the chance to display my trustworthiness. My self-esteem as a pastor and public speaker improved exponentially. Now, as I speak every week in front of thousands of people at Fellowship Church, I can see how God used that simple opening prayer many years ago to give me a jump-start of confidence for the plans he had in store.

Are we doing that for people in our place of employment? Are we inspiring them with responsibility? Or are we hovering, always looking over their shoulders, never trusting them to make a greater personal contribution? That kind of leadership is over protective, and overprotection is a form of rejection?at work and at home.

FOR DISCUSSION: What experience have you had with individuals when you allowed them to take on added responsibility? Do you agree with Ed?

Great new article over at ChurchCentral.com from Ed Young. Here’s part… Responsibility is a self-esteem steroid. When we give someone a responsibility, whether that person is a child, coworker, friend, or spouse, we?re communicating trust in that person. And trust is a major catalyst in moving people toward self-confidence…

Comments

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Bernie Dehler on Mon, October 17, 2005

Since Ed Young is one of those “mega” guys, I think it’s very important to hear what he has to say about volunteers and how to use/train/motivate etc. them.

There may be many good and bad ways and reasons for creating a megachurch, but it seems to me that anyone that has a megachurch must be an expert at managing volunteers. Look at the sheer number of them they manage. Volunteers are an extension of the leader.

The ends never justify the means, so we have to still judge the means they use, nevertheless, I find it very interesting and I’m very open to learn the good things from them.

...Bernie

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247/
Pastor Dan on Mon, October 17, 2005

Ed Young hits the nail on the head - you must give people opportunities to use the talents they have. We have to make sure they are ready but then let them go. A lot of churches remain small because the pastor holds everything and everyone tightly in his fist.
Rich Kirkpatrick on Mon, October 17, 2005

Empowerment is a good thing. Churches grow in part because volunteers are empowered to do the work. This is one sign of health and maturity—that people are ministering in their giftedness. Really, this is the Ephesian 4 mandate—that pastors equip the saints for works of ministry and build them up. This building up of people really has its roots in scripture. so right on Ed.
BeHim on Tue, October 25, 2005

I’m sorry, I disagree.

[Responsibility is a self-esteem steroid. When we give someone a responsibility, whether that person is a child, coworker, friend, or spouse, we’re communicating trust in that person. And trust is a major catalyst in moving people toward self-confidence.]

Are we to esteem ourselves? Esteem others? Yes but not in self.

[“You can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy” (GNT)]

Hmmm. Sounds a little different in the KJV and NKJV:

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Psalm 118:8,9

[Are we doing that for people in our place of employment? Are we inspiring them with responsibility? Or are we hovering, always looking over their shoulders, never trusting them to make a greater personal contribution? That kind of leadership is over protective, and overprotection is a form of rejection—at work and at home.]

I’m sorry; this sounds more like a Tony Robbins or Robert Kiosaki book/speech. I mean it just sounds secular.

Why not say “we should inspire them with the Word of God” “encouraging them towards ministry” “equipping them to be prepared for all responsibilities in ministry.” I wouldn’t think a mega-leader would need Scriptural instruction in such things but its obvious this article is built on man and his own ambitious ability.

[Jesus was the master at inspiring others this way. In John 20:21, just before he ascended to heaven, Christ gave his disciples this mandate: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus entrusted the worldwide gospel ministry to a group of ordinary people. He gave them the ball. Imagine their soaring sense of worth as the Son of God handed off this immense responsibility—to them.]

C’mon Ed!!! Just after this Jesus Breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit”. Ordinary people are those who walk in the flesh. Miracles occur in the lives of those whose hearts are changed not by their “self ambition” but by the Holy Spirit changing them from the inside out. These “group of ordinary men” could have accomplished nothing without the Spirit of God!

[In 1 Corinthians 13:4 Paul wrote that love “looks for a way of being constructive” (PHILLIPS).]

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

Since when have we decided to use any Scriptural interpretation as authoritative? This is incredible how much “PHILLIPS” changes the “Love Passage” - what is love “constructing”?

I encourage you Ed to please be more cognoscente of building up Jesus, not man. Please don’t defend your writing with every Scriptural interpretation under the sun… There are all manner of false teachers with their Study Bible versions of what Scripture means to them but that only reveals the complete departure from Sound Doctrine.
Rev Jon Matthews on Mon, November 07, 2005

Would be interested in hearing how Ed Young deals with those who run from responsibility. We have a full house of ‘em and have spent literally years trying to motivate with the very tactic he speaks of.

There has to be a desire to be responsible. In a mega church it’s easy to find those who want to do things. How about a church of 100?
Miked up on Sat, November 19, 2005

ED,

Good stuff! I love what Ed does. I’m not out to be Lil’ Ed. I apply what I can, and am tankful for what God does through him and his team. As for the unnamed crittic I want to know how you have dealt with responses like BeHim handling controversey is huge too.

Your thoughts are encouraged.

Mike
Gaining Muscle Mass on Wed, July 23, 2008

I think Todd is onto something. You have to let people step up to the plate and challenge them and see what they are made out of.
muscle building supplements on Wed, August 26, 2009

very interesting story