Shared Leadership

Shared Leadership

Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

I was in my early twenties and had just recently started attending a new church when the youth pastor approached me about working with the youth group. I was both thrilled and honored to be asked. Since my day job involved working with the elderly, I was happy to be volunteering with younger people.

Over the next few years, I was able to walk alongside Carl and his wife, Jenny, as they led the youth at our church. Each month, they would have meetings with the youth leaders and discuss upcoming events and topics for our Wednesday night gatherings. Carl was always quick to ask questions and listen to the opinions of others around the circle and often allowed us to step into the roles of teaching or leading. Carl was quick to share the leadership, encouraging others to pursue the gifts God had given to them.

Carl was a wonderful mentor to me and walked confidently in his calling. It was actually under his direction that I found my voice as a speaker and shared several messages with the youth that I felt God had given me during my time on that team. Because of their leadership style, Carl and Jenny became more than leaders in my life; they became dear friends and still are to this day.

As Christians, the best leaders should be the best at serving others. This comes in direct opposition to what the world would call leaders to do or be—keeping power only for themselves and taking every opportunity to make themselves known. But true leaders are ones who share their influence and platform and power with others around them, while also fostering friendships among those they work and do ministry with.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Show friendship to someone you lead by giving them one-on-one time to provide guidance in their role.