Mackay always encouraged locals to work at these institutions, but he was a strong leader not given to delegating responsibility. As a result, the local churches relied upon him to make all tough decisions, a situation that didn't change until he passed away.
馬偕一直主張由本地人來擔任事工，但領袖性格濃厚，凡是儘量不假手他人的他卻不免事事過問，造成各地教會仰賴他的決定，直到他去世為止。