Yep, it’s true. Pastors can’t do everything. They can’t meet with everyone, pray with everyone, visit everyone, call everyone, lead everything and be everything to everyone. Trust me, I’ve tried…and I’ve failed! It doesn’t work.

I remember when we first started RiverPoint Church I thought I had to be all things to all people and be a part of everything. Man, was I stupid. It was stupid of me to think that of myself in the first place, but also stupid to think that no one else had the skills and gifts needed to reach, help and lead people. For this to change in my ministry it took a huge blow to the ego and a major shift in the way I lead. Now, I’m thankful for the incredible team that God has assembled to surround me and the church as we move forward together.

The question that many pastors ask is, “How do I get to the point where I’m not doing everything and empower my team to lead?” Great question. Here are a couple of things that I’ve learned.

• Let Go! You have to let some things go in order experience true freedom and joy in leadership. Let go of the things that you are no good at and the ones you are not passionate about.
• Surround yourself with people where trust is mutual and who are smarter than you are.
• Listen! Listen to your team. Remember, they’re smart and they are probably willing to help you out more than you think.
• Pray! I know it sounds like something a pastor should say, but it’s true. Pray for a team to rise up and become the leaders God created them to be.