Involve Me and I Learn - Debbie Streicher

Recently I was reminded of a quote from Benjamin Franklin that I have used quite often as a good one in reference to empowering and encouraging ministry through hands-on doing ministry and getting involved. The quote is: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

As leaders of the church, we often forget the importance of involving others in our work. Equipping and empowering takes time and patience. There are times we simply want to get things done quickly and do them ourselves rather than ask others for help. Those in our faith communities bring a variety of gifts together in one place. When we continually do things our own way, we tend to forget to take the time to be patient while others learn. We seem to be stuck in tell me and teach me stages. A major step to growing ministries and building our faith communities is an invitation to actively be involved in ministry.

Although written in the early 90’s, one of my favorite books to reference when working with congregations is The Equipping Pastor by R. Paul Stevens and Phil Collins. It is still relevant today.  The book helps us understand congregations as relational systems. From Chapter 8, I list the ten principles for leaders to equip the laity:

1. Work with the Whole – The whole is more than the sum of the parts. The church is the body of Christ, the family of God, the covenant community of God. Discern the body.
   
2. Cultivate Healthy Interdependence among Members – Equipping is essentially a relational, rather than programmatic, ministry; this involves building the people of God.
   
3. Lead the Process Not the People – The way in which the equipper engages the culture, makes decisions, and makes changes is more important than specific achievements accomplished.
   
4. Cultivate the Culture – Recognize culture as a systematic expression and a powerful influence in creating motivation and shaping behavior.
   
5. Make Changes Slowly and Indirectly – Remember that resistance is not necessarily to the leader’s ideas or personality but the result of complex dynamics in the system.
   
6. Sound Your Own Vision and Define Yourself – This is not an exercise in self promotion but systematic ministry. Your initiative will help others define themselves.
   
7. Shepherd the System and the Subsystems – The pastor and other leaders are shepherds of the congregational system. Discover the way it is put together and strengthen the connections.
   
8. Avoid Becoming Triangled – As shepherds, the leaders should be able to discern dysfunctional relationships. This involves taking the appropriate actions.
   
9. Maintain Open Boundaries with the World – Be an open system interacting with the community outside the congregation. In order to do this, one must understand who belongs and what defines community. 
   
10. Relax: The Church Is in Good Hands – The church is in the good hands of Jesus, the head of the church. The leader is not the only equipper.
    

It is good to be reminded we are not alone as leaders in our congregations. I invite you to think about your own ministry and reflect on which principles are ones you employ in your setting. What are some empowering ministry stories you could share with others? 

Other Suggested Readings

Healthy Congregations, a Systems Approach by Peter L. Steinke

The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation by Jim Harrington, Robert Creech, and Trisha L. Taylor

Personality Type and Religious Leadership by Roy M. Oswald and Otto Kroeger