When it comes to leadership, there is no doubt that there is a huge weight that is associated with it. You are constantly pulled on from every direction and on top of that, you are still juggling and balancing your own personal life and rarely do you hear the words “thank you”. It takes its toll. It’s easy to throw in the towel. The pure exhaustion starts speaking louder than the call you heard in the first place. Leader, I’m here today to encourage you to keep running the race. Stay the course. Although, burnout is on the horizon, there are a few key things I want to leave you with to help encourage you in this season to avoid it.
In studying the book of Titus, we see the assignment and call on his life. Paul lays out clear instruction, but the weight of it all seems impossible. Titus has the weight of an entire city on his back. The Lord calls him to teach them how to live and to call out the sin in hopes that the people would turn to Christ instead. At first glance, the task seems bigger than the man sent to do it. How many of you feel that way right now in your leadership? The task at hand feels bigger than anything you could possibly do. You’re exhausted. You feel like you’re doing it alone. You have been at it day after day, month after month, year after year, and it doesn’t feel like you’ve moved the needle any further along. If this is you, keep reading because God lays out a clear picture of how Titus was equipped to do it, and how you are too!
Looking to start or improve your single mom support group? Check out our Ministry Leader Help page.
Remember the call
You were assigned & appointed for this position. The job of cleaning things up isn't on the last leader, the leader who selected you, or the people on the team. This assignment is on YOU. God has led you here on purpose - He doesn't make mistakes. Paul instructed Titus to finish what was left incomplete. That was his God-appointed assignment. It was Titus' responsibility to stand firm and walk in it, taking full ownership of what God had called Him to do. Are you willing to do the same?
For you, maybe it's growing an existing single mom support group because you see that the community is filled with hurting single moms with no resources and no hope. Maybe you've been in the same job for years, seeing areas that the company can grow, but you have been too fearful to say anything. Maybe the Lord has called you to start that business that will impact the masses. Or maybe He simply called you to be a leader and minister to your close friend or your children as they battle through a tough time. Leadership looks different for everyone. The call on each of our lives looks and feels different. Whether you are impacting one or thousands, the weight can be great, but you were called for such a time as this.
The HANDS
key aspect of leadership
“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.”
TITUS 1:5
The Apostle Paul reminds Titus to appoint elders to help oversee the ministry. It's important to remember, you don't have to do it alone. In fact, the Lord has created us for community. He has given us all different gifts and talents that are meant to work together for His plans and purposes. When we try to do everything on our own, that's when burnout and frustration sets in. That’s why it’s so important to surround yourself with the right people as you lead. Select those that are aligned with the mission and vision and can hold up your weary arms.
Finding it hard to find the right people? The good news is that Titus gives us a great checklist of what to look for in those we are seeking to help. A leader must:
- Self-controlled
- Live upright and holy
- Live a disciplined life
- Strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught
Paul goes on to say that when the leader lives up to those things, they “will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching” (Titus 1:9). Some questions to ask yourself are:
- Is this person trustworthy and fair?
- How have they demonstrated self-control? How do they operate under pressure?
- Does this person have a solid reputation for being responsible and wise?
- Do they have the capacity to grow with the assignment, and can they learn new skills?
Once you have your leaders selected, it’s time to get to work! If you’ve been leading solo for a while, you may find it hard to let some of it go. So, today, your challenge is to delegate anyway – even if it’s hard. Determine the tasks or projects only you can do and then empower others to do what's left.
"But they can't do it as good as I can do it!"
Has that been you as a leader? Struggling to take things off your plate because you feel like you can't trust anyone else to do it how you would do it, as good as you can do it, or as fast as you can do it? They can't show you what they can do if you never give them the opportunity. Also, you miss the opportunity to help teach them new skills. When others can learn a new skill set and take over unwanted tasks, you can focus on the things that only you can do and you’re able to avoid burn out because you’re trusting and leaning on God and others to help you see it through.
Answering the call to leadership is not easy, but it’s worth it. Always remember, you’re not in this thing alone. If you feel like you’re in the middle of a storm in your leadership and are unsure how to navigate it, be sure to check out The Calling: Leadership & Trenches.
Meet the Author
Sheree Cain-Jones is a coach, speaker, and lover of all things women. Sheree grew up in poverty and struggled with a sense of self-worth until she had her "superpower" moment with God. Her life's message is centered around empowering women to challenge the mindsets that hold them back so that they can finally get results. She believes you have what it takes to overcome the issues of life you're currently facing, and if you believe, you can turn your greatest pain into your greatest power!
For more info visit: www.shereecainjones.com.
The Life of a Single Mom is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with hundreds of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served hundreds of thousands of single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.
