Jesus came not to be served but to serve others. While at first you may think this only meant the people He cared for, it also included the disciples. Remember when He washed their feet? Or when He spent time teaching them in parables?
If your goal in 2015 is not to get involved in ministry but to move into a leadership role, you must understand what that position entails. The primary focus is not on you and “your ministry” but on equipping others to take on the challenges and maybe one day lead their own ministries.
Standing in the Shadows
Often when we think of leaders, we think of the people standing at the forefront of any task. However, a true leader knows when to stand back and let others be in the spotlight. While the goal of ministry is to shine for Jesus and not ourselves, it is important to let others have a chance to show what they can do. In this case, it is not to get attention from others but to receive blessings from God as we bless those in need.
Everyone should have a chance to get involved and have their ideas considered. You never know when you might be training another leader on your team. It is your job as leader to help others recognize their strengths and skills and place them in areas where they can utilize them.
Words of Encouragement
Ministry is often more about spending time in the valleys than on the mountain. You work hard every day with very little recognition and thanks even from the people you are trying to help. As a leader, you have gotten past the need for thanks from people and focus instead on honoring God with the work that you do. However, the people that you work with can still use words of encouragement, especially on the most difficult days.
A leader’s job is often to remind those you work with of the purpose for your ministry. You must help them remember that they are making a difference even when they can’t see it.
Along with encouraging the people you lead, you must inspire them. Instead of always continuing down the same path, they can find new ways of accomplishing the goals of the ministry or of serving others. And don’t forget to pray for them. One of Jesus’ most famous prayers includes prayer for those who followed Him. Leaders must also spend time praying for those they work with in ministry.
The most effective leader in ministry knows how to be a servant. Using Jesus as your role model, you not only serve those that you see in need, you serve the people on your team. This attitude leads them to do far greater things than you can do on your own.
What are some practical ways that you can serve your team in ministry in 2015?
