Many young people are surrendering to the call to ministry leadership. What is the first step in disciplining them?
One of the most common questions I get from pastors and next-gen leaders is, “What should be the first thing we do with people who have surrendered to a calling of ministry leadership in their life?”
As I type this, it’s the middle of the summer. So, that means it’s a busy season of preaching youth camps and collegiate events. At every single one of these events, I will give a message on calling and then give an invitation to call out the called. We’ve been seeing many young people surrender to this calling and say yes. Nearly every time, leaders and students will say, “So, what now? What’s the next step? What is the first step in disciplining those called to ministry leadership?”
My answer to these questions is always the same. We need to teach them to walk deeply with Jesus through spiritual disciplines. They will be better leaders by being better followers. Also, we must disciple them to understand that ministry is not a calling to stardom, it’s a calling to servanthood.
With servanthood in mind, here are some important characteristics and qualities to look for and disciple people toward. God has created and cultivated servant leaders to have these six characteristics:
1. Servant's hands
A good servant leader has hands that are used for working hard (Psalm 90:17). God has gifted every minister to serve the kingdom and live sacrificially, placing the bride of Christ above themselves. Good servant uses their hands for their God-called ministry, but they must also save some energy to use those hands to serve their family, their community, and other leaders they’re calling out to also serve the kingdom.
2. Servant's feet
A faithful servant has feet that follow Jesus. Any leader who is faithfully following Jesus is a leader worth following. The best spiritual leaders are those who are the best spiritual followers (John 8:12).
3. Servant's hearts
A loving servant has a heart that beats with love for Jesus and His church. The best way for a servant leader to faithfully love Christ’s bride is for them to faithfully love the groom—Jesus—with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). As Jeff Iorg writes, “Servant leadership is about the heart. It’s primarily about motive. A servant leader is driven by his or her love for God and people.”
An effective servant has a pure mind that is not clouded by lustful thoughts for other people or other ministry positions. Their mind is not distracted by coveting their neighbor’s possessions. In ministry, this can be the comparison trap. Be faithful to serve where the Lord has placed you and don’t get caught up in someone else’s ministry assignment, social media following, or opportunities. Be thankful and faithful to the assignment the sovereign God has given you. A servant has a mind that meditates on Scripture and is thankful for what the Lord has given him or her (2 Corinthians 10:5).
5. Servant's shoulders
A good servant leader has broad shoulders that aren’t easily offended. He or she is strong enough to lovingly lead and be bold with the gospel. Yet their shoulders are tender enough for people to cry on when they’ve been hurt, have experienced loss, or have come to a place of repentance over sin.
Sometimes, serving people means rejoicing and celebrating with them on their brightest days. And other times it’s crying and sitting with them in their darkest days. Often, they’re not looking for words to fix the situation but, rather, shoulders that are present for them to lean on (Galatians 6:2).
6. Servant's eyes
A faithful servant has eyes that look to the Lord for guidance. The pressures of being a good minister, an effective leader, and a disciple-maker can be overwhelming. But the good news is God isn’t expecting anyone to do this by their own power. A good servant leader looks to God and His Word for direction (Psalm 121:1–2).
Standing before the servant king and hearing those words…
One thing we must all remember—whether currently in ministry or feeling called to be—is a good servant leader is not a perfect leader. There are no perfect people, and it’s not fair to hold leaders to that standard.
At the end of the day, a good servant leader is a sinner who has been saved by a perfect Savior and has been adopted by a good, good Father. It’s always about who your God is, what your identity is because of Him, and the calling on your life to serve from the overflow of that truth.
Being a servant leader is more about who you are than it is about what you do. However, having the desire to faithfully serve people shows the world Who you belong to, and it gives an incredible opportunity to introduce the people you’re serving to Him.
As followers of Jesus, we all desire to hear these words come from the mouth of our King one day: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:23, CSB). Notice, He won’t say well done, good and faithful pastor, leader, social media influencer, celebrity, executive staff, non-profit CEO, or denominational president. He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Our ultimate calling is that of a servant. So, go and be one for the glory of God.
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