In one church I interviewed and hired an administrative assistant, LeeAnn. At the time LeeAnn had never worked in a church office or any office with a computer. In fact, she was in a sense intimidated at the thought of using a computer. Her trepidation came as much of her work would require the use of a desktop computer. While she had her concerns, I saw the capacity in LeeAnn to succeed and overcome her computer challenges. In the end I could not have asked for a better Administrative Assistant. She was a partner in ministry. Everywhere I have moved since leaving that church, I have always looked for the next LeeAnn.
LeeAnn was a person of capacity. Whether it was using the computer, or planning and organizing an event, LeeAnn always carried our plans to the next level. When you have the right persons in the right positions, the ride of ministry is much easier and so much more fun.
People with passion and drive are people of capacity. They are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. People of capacity have a giftedness of competence, ability, capability, and aptitude to accomplish what they are assigned.
Everyone has capacity. It is the responsibility of leaders to help unearth and develop that capacity. Instead of filling empty slots with the first person to say yes, look for capacity in individuals. Helping people find and engage in his/her highest level of capacity is one of the most stimulating and rewarding areas of leadership.
Some people are like Lee Ann and are ready to learn and take on a challenge. These people have a drive within him/herself to uncover and unlock his/her abilities, giftedness, and capability, especially in the work of God’s Kingdom. Others are not so eager to leave their comfort zone to grow. As a leader you can guide each one into increasing in his/her God-given, greater capacity.
People of capacity create fruitfulness. The more you can influence the God-given capacity of each individual within your church/organization, the greater the fruitfulness will be evidenced. Every person in your organization has unique contributions to make according to his/her God-given capacity. What processes do you have built into your culture to influence people’s unique contributions to advance God’s Kingdom?
Promoting, supporting, and encouraging individuals to serve within his/her unique capacity, contributing as God has enabled them is asking them to work from his/her personal strength. Doing so, you will see much more than work being done. You are honoring each one for his/her individual contribution to the Kingdom of God.
Allowing persons to develop and serve out of individual capacity you release untapped potential enabling people to become fully engaged in God’s Kingdom work at their fullest. What will you do today to begin building a culture of recognizing and deploying individual capacity of all members?
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.