I first heard John Maxwell speak about developing another leader to take your place: Lead so well, you actually work your way out of a job by reproducing yourself. Said differently Fill the leadership Pipeline.
Let's say the position you are in is the end of the pipeline! Your task as a leader is to fill the pipeline that is behind you with competent leaders who can actually do what you do in an effective way. The concept means that if done well, and if you happen to vanish one day - which I'm sure will only be by God taking you directly to heaven because of your excellent leadership - that there is someone who could step into your role and there is someone behind them that could step into their role and so on.
This means that you need to develop leaders who can also develop leaders. Whilst also developing leaders to replace you and to replace those who may replace you. Filling the leadership pipeline is a long term prospect, but one that will save you much pain and anguish and will enormously strengthen the infrastructure of your ministry.
