This last semester my number one priority for the Rush program at Jack Britt has had little to do with the high school. Last year I was out there four days a week. This year: one, occasionally none. (This either means I'm turning into a cluelessly absent leader, or that I'm surrounded by very responsible co-leaders. Technically I suppose it could mean both. But I'm positive that I'm not absent, just clueless.)
My number one priority (next to brushing my teeth, which surpasses all the leadership abilities in the world) has been building a team of leaders. This team is the backbone of everything that happens at Britt. Team members:
Rachel (my 17 year old sister, senior in high school)
Peter (sophomore college student)
Kevin (Jack Britt alumn, college freshman)
Lindsey (Jack Britt senior)
These guys sit down and have one-on-one or group conversations with students. They encourage the students by sharing what God has put on their heart. They strategize how to make the most of our time, and develop key learning objectives (eg, recently they taught the students about the 5 Love Languages and how to discover yours and use them to serve God.)
I'm preparing to back away even more from the team next semester. It's time to let these leaders lead to a greater extent. But I'm confident and comfortable doing this because this last semester I've been clear on my mission: in general, to minister to Jack Britt students, but more precisely, to minister to Jack Britt students by building a team of leaders. Because I've done this, the small amount of ministry I'd be capable of doing is being surpassed on a weekly basis by the impact that 4 committed leaders can make as a team.
(By the way, I'm not even a great team builder. By personality I'm a lone ranger and would rather sit in my room and read and think or write music. This just goes to show you the power you could harness if you became GREAT at building teams.)
Take away: Do you know your number one most important thing to do? My number one most important thing to do this semester was brush my teeth on a daily basis. After that, it was build a team of leaders. No one else can brush my teeth for me, and no one else can build a team of leaders for me. Some things, only David Choi can do. At times when I get too caught up in "doing the ministry," and end up robbing younger leaders of opportunities to grow, I have to un-distract myself from all the important things, and focus on the important things that only I can do.
This Christmas, brush your teeth and do the important things that only you can do.
