The Ultimate Guide for Leaders of All Ages

The keys have changed.

The house I grew up in required a skeleton key to access some of the rooms. Recently, we changed our traditional key locks to an electronic keypad. Our church's exterior doors require keycard access. I now need the hotel's app to access a room. One of my sons told me that he can install a fingerprint sensor on his bedroom door so that only he and his brother can enter.

Indeed, the keys have changed!

Suppose we use the keys metaphor to give people access to ministry skills, authority, and opportunities. In that case, it might sound something like this…

The church we grew up in needed competent and skilled specialists to volunteer, coordinate, and lead programs. Over time, volunteers needed to go to work, or their seasons of life changed. Today, staff are hired to lead ministry programs. And when there is a ministry opportunity, we hire more staff, expect an unequipped volunteer to do the bulk of the work, or say "no" because those who "hold the keys" are already at their capacity.

That's not a knock on staff or volunteers—it's just a reminder that the keys to ministry have changed.
Each of us knows someone who is wanting to lead something. The challenge is that if those who desire to lead do not receive an opportunity, are not equipped, or do not receive authority to lead among the people of God, they will find a way to do it elsewhere.

That's a perfect thing in a world that needs godly leaders everywhere. At the same time, we need godly leaders to equip God's people for ministry (Ephesians 4:12).

It's not either-or… it's both-and.

Today, we need more humble, teachable, and hungry leaders to share the keys of life and ministry where they live, work, learn, and play. This means increasing awareness of opportunities for people of all ages to lead (not just sub-in, but truly lead). It also means growing in our abilities to trust and empower more people (and perhaps even ourselves) with ministry skills, authority, and opportunities to lead forward.

Kara Powell from Fuller Youth Institute and her team take the metaphor even further by saying:

• Keyless leaders are full of potential and passion and do not know where they can lead.
  

• Key-hoarding leaders are skilled at what they do, while most assume they are "paid to do the work."


• Key-loaning leaders invite others to lead in their absence and assume leadership upon their return. This is very common among paid ministry staff
  

• ​Keychain leaders share opportunities to learn and experience leadership together. They delegate authority while remaining accountable.

What would that look like for you?

• My friend Dave talks about having an "ICNU" conversation. Who do you see wanting to lead? Don't keep that idea to yourself… share it with them. You can begin by saying, "I see in you an excitement to lead. Would you be willing to tell me more about that?" Then, listen and say, "Thanks, God for doing your work right in front of my eyes.""

 

• Let us know who you see as potential ministry leaders. Email me or any of our team, and let's begin the conversation. Your recommendation matters.

 

• Do you feel called to lead where you live, work, learn, and play in a greater way? I'd love to explore that and encourage you to be the light and love of Jesus in the cracks and crevices of our world. Please drop me a note at HERE, and let's discuss it. 

What could that look like for us as a church?

• We want to continue investing in ministry interns. Over the last four years, we've learned from and mentored young people like Mady, Serena, Kendall, Trevor, Juniper, Deborah, and Cary. Your continued generosity to our Leadership Development Fund helps us equip leaders to serve in the church and world.

Vision is always caught more than taught, so I'd love to engage with and listen to what excites you about what "Champion Leaders of All Ages" means to you. Please click HERE to email me, or let's connect over coffee or tea.

Look for a new series of blogs throughout October focusing on living a Spirit-Filled Life. Until then… Cheers and blessings!

​

---