The Four Stages of Ministry: Part Two - Focus

 
The Four Stages of Ministry: Part Two - Focus
By Jeremy Vess based on "The Four Stages of Ministry" by Gerald Brooks

I had the privilege of attending a pastors forum where Gerald Brooks was leading a session entitled "The Four Stages of Ministry."   The following is what I learned.  (my notes and thoughts are in italicized words)

Stage 2: Focus

In the life of ministry "less is more" cannot be overstated.  The more you find on your plate, the more you need to learn the practice of delegation.  When you delegate roles you must remember a good rule of thumb: whatever you initially delegate is likely to be done at 20% of the of the capacity at which you are accustomed to doing it.  You need to allow the people you delegate to a large amount of grace to make mistakes. This will require you coming behind them and making adjustments as you teach how to do something according to your expectations.  This will also require a lot of patience. The temptation is to simple take back what you delegated as you "might as well do it yourself".  Be honest, you've often thought that when you handed a role over to someone.  Avoid giving into this thought  and allow people the grace to do something at twenty percent of your capacity in order to encourage them to increase their ability and in time they will rise to the challenge if you are patient and if you are willing to teach them little by little.  

The purpose of delegation is to alleviate your amount of responsibilities so you are not overwhelmed.  As your ministry grows, you must adjust your roles so that you can focus on the primary calling GOD has purposed in your heart. 

The Jethro Principle: Exodus 18

"14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”  15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”  17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone."

Are you finding yourself on the verge of burnout simply because you will not delegate? What you are doing is not good! Learn to delegate responsibilities and give yourself grace to do it.  You'll make mistakes along the way and that is fine, don't throw your hands in the air and give up and don't go back to doing everything yourself.  When you begin to delegate it will allow you the luxury of then learning to focus. 

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Ministry requires work - You’re not going to fulfill the will of God without hard work.

1. There is no calling you can possess which will allow you to skip work.
2. The calling is according to what God chooses, not what we choose.
3. Somehow there’s a misconception that we choose what we like.
4. God will ask you to strategically simplify. He’s going to ask you to do less more often.
5. Narrow your focus
6. Less is how you do your best

John 15:1-3 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

 Here ministry skills are highlighted.

1.  Focus is the ability to repeat what you do well. Most people can do good occasionally. Focus is the art of doing good repeatedly.
2. Too many do good accidentally.
3. Jesus prioritized this skill.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

This was the mission statement for Jesus. He declared his mission statement and then went to work.

4. Say no to distractions:
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

5. Say no to opportunities
    * Not everything is a GOD Thing.
    * Learning to say no is vital to your ministry
    * Learn what is “life back to you”

6. Jesus demonstrated to us how a strong no is required to stay focused:  Luke 4:43 But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
    * Learn to say No to others
    * Learn to say No to boredom

Biblical model: Paul
Philippians 3:8,13 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead
 
1. Never fall in love with your achievement.
 Philippians 3:8 …I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish…
2. Yesterday can’t be your best.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, …forgetting those things which are behind…
3. Maximize your energy
Philippians 3:13…and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…
4. Make it bigger than life
Philippians 3:14 press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lesson from 2023 Pastors Roundtable Victory Church Raleigh with Gerald Brooks "The Four Stages of Ministry"  Additional notes & commentary added by Jeremy Vess