The Law of Empowerment

I'm sure you have hear of John Maxwell's awesome book on leadership called "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership."  I have been reading this particular book again for about the umpteenth time when I ran across the "Law of Empowerment."  Once again this law struck a cord within my heart, because if we are to grow as a church body, to influence our community for Christ, then we must raise up strong leaders within our ministry!

Barnabas, in the Bible, understood the "Law of Empowerment!"  Listen to what the Scripture has to say about him: "And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.  And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus, Acts 9:26-27 (NKJV).

A leader's plate can get overloaded very quickly.  And in the midst of much busyness, it's not difficult to forget about people.  But effective leaders know that when they short-change their people, their leadership breaks down, and they also short-change themselves.  You see, to make an impact, an influence, you must add value to your people because the only way to truly succeed is to help others!

Are you a lifter of people?  Are you empowering others? Barnabas was definitely a lifter of people.  It seems as though he let no opportunity escape him to add value to others, and his greatest single contribution in terms of empowerment can be seen in his interaction with Paul.

1. He believed in Paul before anyone else did.
2. He endorsed Paul's leadership to other leaders.
3. He empowered Paul to reach his potential.

Empowering people takes a personal investment.  It requires energy and time, but it's worth the price!  If you do it right, you will have the privilege of seeing someone move up to a higher level, and as an added bonus, you create power in your organization when you empower others.

Question: Whom are you committed to empowering?

Comments

[Lisa Rooks]

I thought yesterday's devotional went in sync with your comments. I read everything on the church, your blog, Matt's blog, and listen to your podcasts all of the time and love them all! I'm traveling a lot and having to study for work...I miss my small group and Wednesday night services especially (the prayer time before was perfect). Love to you Pastor, Victory, and your family - you are all always in my prayers. ~ Lisa

July 30

The Church: 100 Pianos

..that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. --John 17:21

Someone may fear that we are magnifying private religion out of all proportion, that the "us" of the New Testament is being displaced by a selfish "I." Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos
all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?
They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become "unity" conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life. The Pursuit of God, 90, A.W. Tozer.

"Lord, let this start with me. Give me a closer walk with You today. Then as a leader enable me to encourage others as well, individually, so that all to whom I minister might be in harmony as we individually are close to You. In Christ's Name, Amen."