Delegate Responsibility - not chores

Jethro told Moses to empower capable leaders with real authority (Exodus 18:21–22). Delegation that moves a ministry forward isn’t “Can you carry this?”—it’s “Can you own this?” It helps when you define the outcome, not just the task. Delegation of authority requires you to give context, provide guardrails, and allow for decision rights. Talk through the end result of the tasks delegated: What are we aiming for? What’s the budget? What can they decide without you?

Delegation without monitoring can be dangerous at first. You have to check in and see how they are doing. Schedule a brief check-in and why you see they are taking the first steps well celebrate the intermediate results publicly.

Delegation is also releasing the process. Which means you have to resist the urge to snatch the task or project back when it looks different than your way. Different isn’t always worse; often it’s better. Better because two people are now going towards the same goal - that created momentum!

Delegation creates ownership, develops leaders, and prevents burnout at the top. Try a simple ladder:

observe → assist → lead with coaching → lead independently → mentor another.

As people rise up the delegation ladder, your ministry widens. When responsibility flows outward, the leader stops being the bottleneck and starts being a multiplier.

Pastor Lynn Swank

www.kidminpathway.com

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