15th
Great Post on Equipping
Equipping Myths and Roadblocks
Chris Hardy
{Moving from a program-church to one with a culture of equipping everyone for discipleship is a critical—but sometimes challenging—process. The key is more in our attitudes than our actions.}
MISTAKE #1 - Thinking that “equipping” is a jazzy, new program or potential church-growth technique. It is not. Rather, it’s the fulfillment of our biblical call to lead others.
MISTAKE #2 - Focusing on developing effective, healthy ministries before developing healthy, effective people. When we relegate “equipping” to ministry development, we effectively elevate programs above people.
MISTAKE #3 - Believing that equipping is someone else’s responsibility. Regardless of the role we fulfill in ministry, equipping people is our responsibility.
MISTAKE #4 - Thinking that accomplishing tasks is more important than developing people. We cannot focus on our to-do list, while we overlook the person in need of our presence. Roadblocks to becoming an equipping leader If we just dip our toes into equipping leadership, others will see through our façade, and we’ll experience failure. Jerry Culbreth, senior pastor of Tried Stone New Beginning Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, says, “My number one role is to be an equipping leader myself…the vision must be owned before it is shown!”
Culbreth acknowledges that becoming an equipping leader is a difficult journey, requiring a constant check on our motivations and pride. It’s a challenge to ensure that our motivations are for the ultimate success and growth of another and to monitor how often our pride slips into our decisions and reactions. “Beware of pride but have confidence.” Jerry says. “As you shift the culture to equipping, the tendency to make people accept what you say may manifest itself. Beware of caring more for yourself and your plans than for the people of God.”
Chris Hardy, pastor of leadership development at Westover Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, consults, teaches, writes, and speaks about equipping leadership.
{Excerpted from Rev! magazine. This and thousands of other articles are available to Church Volunteer Central members.}
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