We may think of delegation as a means to lighten our load but there’s more to it. How we delegate matters and who we delegate to matters, both of which need to be propelled by the Holy Spirit to maximize effectiveness.
How We Delegate Should Be Propelled by the Holy Spirit
Delegation propelled by the Spirit begins with discernment.
As leaders, we need the guidance of the Spirit for what tasks God makes us responsible to do and what can be delegated. We have the example of the early church. As the church increased, so did the need. Acts 6:1-7 recounts the neglect of widows’ “daily distribution of food” (Acts 6:1). The Apostles couldn’t do it all. They had to discern their key responsibilities and delegate other tasks.
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:2-4)
Spirit-propelled delegation may involve the Body helping to identity who would be the best fit.
Notice in verse two that the apostle “gathered all the disciples together” to choose qualified people for the ministry. As leaders, we may not know people as fully as we would hope. We may benefit by seeking input from other ministry leaders and teachers, or even from the entire Body. God designed the Body to function interdependently. It’s okay for us, as leaders, to ask for input.
Delegating in step with the Spirit involves prayer.
Just as leaders need to be propelled by the Spirit in how they delegate, so do the people given the responsibility need the Spirit’s power and guidance to do the task. Leaders therefore don’t simply provide “how to” instruction, but also pray for them. After they chose people to care for the widows, the apostles “prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6).
When propelled by the Holy Spirit, delegation results in ministry effectiveness.
The passage in Acts 6 concludes with, “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7) With the Apostles freed up to give their “attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4), and other needs being met because they delegated, the Church continued to grow.
Who We Delegate Should Be Led by the Spirit
Sometimes if we have a menial or physical task we wish to delegate, we may take the attitude that anybody will do. That’s not how the early church viewed it. Even food distribution needed to be done in the power of the Lord. They delegated the task to those “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3).
Since the Holy Spirit distributes our spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4), certainly a person’s gifting should enter into consideration of the best fit for a given ministry. Likewise, since Christ-like characteristics are born in us by the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-26), we should consider who has traits needed to effectively accomplish the ministry. And, since our testimony to the world around us rides on not just “if” we do ministry, but “how” we do it (Matt. 5:13-16; Jn. 13:35), seeking out those who walk in the Spirit rather “gratify the desires of the flesh” will make a huge difference.
Bottom Line When It Comes to Delegation and the Holy Spirit
Ministry devoid of the Spirit may still get the tasks accomplished but will yield little of eternal value. Since the Spirit empowers us for effective ministry, “let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).
For More: Resources about the Holy Spirit
All Practicum Posts about Delegation:
- What Does Delegation Have to do with Love?
- Delegation Done Purposefully
- Basis for Delegating
- Lessons about Delegation from Jesus
- Christ-like Goal in Delegating
- What If Jesus Hadn’t Delegated?
- Only God Truly Empowers
- Delegation Influenced by the Gospel
- Delegation Influenced by Grace
- Leaders’ Spiritual Gifting May Affect Delegating
- Who to Delegate to Based on Spiritual Gifts
- Avoiding Pitfalls of Delegation
- Delegation Enveloped in Prayer
- Delegation Because of the Resurrected Jesus
- Realistically View Delegation
- Delegation Protected in the Name of the Lord
- Delegation Learned Through the Word
- Leaders Who are Good Stewards Tend to Delegate More
- Delegation Propelled by the Holy Spirit