Lead For Legacy
Session 5
Introduction
Every one of us is here because somebody invested in us. Think about that for a moment. Who took time to disciple you? Who believed in you? Who gave you a chance to serve when you didn’t feel ready?
Maybe it was a Sunday School teacher, a youth pastor, a mentor, or even a faithful parent or grandparent. None of us got here alone.
That’s what leadership legacy is all about.
It’s not what you accomplish by yourself. It’s what lives on through the people you’ve poured into.
Paul modeled this with Timothy. He didn’t just preach and plant churches; he raised up leaders who would keep spreading the gospel long after he was gone.
He gave that same charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, when he said,
“Entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Here’s the guiding principle for this final session: The greatest impact of your ministry will not be in what you do, but in who you develop.
1. Mentor People Intentionally
Legacy doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intentional relationships. Paul didn’t stumble into mentoring Timothy. He chose him, traveled with him, taught him, corrected him, and encouraged him.
As ministry leaders, you have people in your circle right now who need your investment:
- In kids ministry, it could be a teenage helper who’s learning to lead a small group or tell a Bible story.
- In youth ministry, it may be a high school student who shows leadership potential and needs someone to call it out.
- On the worship team, maybe it’s a new musician who’s talented but needs discipling in character and humility.
- For media, it might be a young person who loves technology and could be trained to run sound or slides.
- For deacons, it might be a younger member of the church who could be mentored in stewardship and service.
Here’s the mistake we sometimes make: we think mentoring has to be formal or complicated. But often it’s as simple as inviting someone to serve alongside you, then taking time afterward to talk about what went well and what could improve. It’s coffee conversations, text messages of encouragement, shared experiences that shape character.
POWERPOINT: “Legacy is not built in a day — it’s built daily, as you invest in others.”
2. Empower People Purposefully
What I’m really saying is, empower people for ministry with a sense of purpose.
Another way we lead for legacy is by empowering others. That means letting go of control. For many leaders, this is hard. We feel safer doing it ourselves because we know it will be “done right.” But if you do everything yourself, the ministry can’t outgrow you.
Ephesians 4:12 says leaders are called “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”
That means your job isn’t to do all the ministry but to release others into it.
Practically, that looks like this:
- In kids ministry, let someone else tell the Bible story while you support.
- In youth ministry, allow students to lead worship or share testimonies.
- On the worship team, rotate leaders and give opportunities to others.
- In media, train people until you’re not the only one who can fix a problem.
- As deacons, include others in decision-making and share the weight of responsibility.
Will it always be perfect? No. But remember, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s multiplication. Jesus Himself sent out the disciples knowing they’d make mistakes. Yet He empowered them anyway.
POWERPOINT: “If you’re the only one who can do it, you’re not leading a ministry — you’re running a monopoly.”
3. Think Beyond Yourself
Finally, leading for legacy means thinking beyond yourself. It’s asking: “What will continue here long after I’m gone?”
Nehemiah rebuilt the wall in 52 days. That’s impressive.
But more impressive was that the people kept worshiping, reading God’s Word, and building community long after the wall was finished.
Why? Because Nehemiah thought beyond himself!
As ministry leaders, we must resist the temptation to make it about us.
This isn’t “my team,” “my ministry,” or “my department.” It’s God’s ministry. We’re simply stewards for a season — but the work belongs to Him.
So let me ask you:
- Who will be leading this ministry five years from now?
- If you stepped away tomorrow, would the ministry survive — or collapse?
- Are you raising up leaders who could carry the mission forward?
POWERPOINT: “Leadership is temporary, but legacy is eternal.”
When we think beyond ourselves, we stop clinging to position and start investing in people who will take the mission further than we ever could.
Closing Challenge
So what does it mean to lead for legacy? It means mentoring intentionally, empowering others for ministry, and thinking beyond yourself.
Look around your ministry. Who is God calling you to invest in? Who needs encouragement, opportunity, or a push toward leadership? Don’t wait until “someday.” Start today.
The truth is, none of us will be in our roles forever. But if we raise up others, the work will continue — stronger than ever. Imagine if every leader in this room left here determined not only to serve faithfully but to multiply leaders. The ripple effect could touch generations.
Reflection / Table Talk (5–7 min)
- Who mentored or invested in you? How did that shape your faith and leadership?
- Who in your ministry could you begin mentoring in the next 6 months?
- What’s one responsibility you could begin delegating to empower someone else?
Prayer (Closing 2–3 min)
“Lord, thank You for those who invested in us. Help us not to hoard leadership but to multiply it. Teach us to see potential in others, to empower them for ministry, and to think beyond ourselves. May our legacy not be buildings or programs but people — disciples who carry the mission forward for generations to come.”