“Do we have any volunteers to lead the next project?” The current leader asked. Not a hand was raised. These were not shy women or new to the group. Everyone had been serving in their roles for at least a few months, some were long-time volunteers. And yet, the idea of going from helper to leader intimidated even the most outspoken woman present.
Stepping Out
Raising your hand to volunteer to take charge of a project can seem like a monumental step. This is especially true if you have been enjoying your role as assistant. However, you may feel a niggling in your mind that you should be doing more. This may be God’s way of getting your attention. He has promised to help us grow in our faith if we are willing to step out into the unknown.
While there is often a shortage of volunteers to do the grunt work in ministry, there is an even larger shortage of leaders. No one wants to be responsible for a project, especially since ministries are often known for being short-staffed and short on funds. It takes a stronger commitment to be a leader than just to help out. You must be dedicated even when everyone else abandons you.
What It Takes
Your first question may be what you need to be a leader. Obviously, you need some good leadership traits, but many of those can be developed. A willingness to lead is far more important. Even if you have no experience, you can learn to be a great leader. Don’t let lack of experience prevent you from taking the step God has asked you to take. Finding a mentor can give you the confidence to develop your skills.
Another key quality you will need is the ability to inspire. Many times, ministry work can be a thankless job and those who are at first enthusiastic about it can wane away when the response is not what they hoped for. As leader, it is your job to encourage them to continue when it is easier to give up. This is something you must remember for your own encouragement.
You must also remember that as a leader you do not give up serving, you just add more people that you serve. This includes the volunteers that work with you as you work to help them be more successful and develop their God-given talents. God has been preparing you for this role even as you serve in other ways. You develop respect and trust from those that have worked with you. You have followed the vision that someone put in front of you and now it becomes your job to further that vision or even develop a new one.
It can be frightening to move beyond your comfort zone as a helper in ministry. Just remember that whoever God calls, He prepares. If He has called you to develop your own ministry or lead an existing one, He knows you can do it. What better vote of confidence could you have to be able to raise your hand?
