Leaders don’t force people to follow—they invite them on a journey. — Charles S. Lauer
Don’t hesitate to invite someone into ministry. This is especially true if you’re a leader or mentor.
What qualifies you as a leader or mentor?
If you’re a parent, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent, a small group leader, a youth or kids’ leader, a manager at your work, or a coach for your kids’ team—which is many of us—you are a leader and a mentor.
As leaders and mentors, the book of Acts shows us that Jesus will invite people into ministry through us if we surrender to Him.
Why would we want to put ourselves out there like that and be part of such an invitation?
- The first reason is for us: Over and over again in Scripture, we see that ministry requires company. We should not do ministry alone.
- The second reason is for someone else: Discipleship flourishes when others are plugged in.
During the first week of my wife’s surgical rotation, her attending told her, “Here’s how we work: See one, share one, do one.” On Monday, she observed an appendectomy. On Tuesday, she participated. On Wednesday, she took charge.
Being invited into the process is a great way to learn.
But how do we know whom to invite?
When Jesus invites Peter in Luke 5, we see three qualities in Peter that we should seek out in others.
Jesus said, “Let’s go fish.”
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night but haven’t caught anything. But because you say so ….” (5:5)
- Find someone who is willing.
When the net came up full—at the wrong time of day—Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (5:8).
- Find someone who is humble.
Finally, Jesus invites them to become fishers of men: “So they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything and followed him” (5:11).
- Find someone who is trusting.
Look for these qualities in someone you are leading or mentoring, surrender to the idea that Jesus would invite them into ministry through you, and be willing to teach and release leaders regularly.
Jesus, I see the “See one, share one, do one” principle all over Scripture. Maybe teaching isn’t natural to me, but it’s natural to You. Will You lead others in this way through me? Amen.
Learn more from Pete’s teaching series on Luke, What Will Jesus Do?