The Treasure of Leadership: Passing It On
I’ve learned that one of the hardest things for leaders to do is to hand off leadership.
We often think the problem is just control, but most of the time it runs deeper than that. It’s also about status. Leaders don’t want to lose the sense of importance that comes with being the one in charge.
But what if handing off leadership isn’t a loss at all? What if it’s actually the prize of leadership?
The right way to see the handoff is as the reward, not the threat. Developing others to the point that they can lead, and sometimes even take your place, is not failure. It’s fruit. That’s what multiplication looks like.
We see this in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. His mission depended on developing leaders who could carry on the work after he left. He couldn’t afford to stay in one place for long. Paul invested deeply in Timothy, Titus, and so many others, equipping them to lead well in his absence. The churches he planted were never meant to depend on him, but on the Spirit working through those he trained.
Part of our challenge today is that we’ve often defined disciple making only around character—helping people become more Christlike—and not around competency.
True disciple making should involve both. God shapes our character to reflect Christ, but He also grows our competency so our gifts, skills, and talents can be used to advance His kingdom.
When we help people grow in both character and competency, we’re not just shaping disciples. We’re shaping leaders. And when those leaders begin to take ownership of the mission, the church moves from addition to multiplication.
If we as leaders could see handing off leadership as the goal of leadership—not the end of it—everything would change. We would lead with open hands and joyful hearts, knowing that the true measure of our ministry isn’t how much we do, but how much we develop.
So here’s a simple challenge:
Look around your circle of influence. Who could you begin developing today?
Who needs a chance to lead?
Who could carry the mission further than you can on your own?
Because at the end of the day, the treasure of leadership is not holding on. It’s passing it on.
Questions for Reflection
Who are you intentionally developing right now?
Are you helping them grow in both character and competency?
What would it look like for you to see handing off leadership as the prize of your ministry