I asked a small group apprentice leader how often she led the group. She said she never leads; she was just the leader’s “helper.” That’s a mistake. Observation is helpful but not enough by itself. If a person is genuinely apprenticing to lead, let them step up to the plate and take a swing!
Your leadership opportunities (ministries) should not advance faster than your ability to train your leaders to lead them.
3. Inclusion Must Embrace the Weight and Demands of Responsibility.
Giving a young leader real responsibility allows them to experience the weight of leadership.
Can you imagine a drill sergeant running alongside a new recruit carrying his pack and weapon for him? Of course not; they have to carry the weight. If not, they are not prepared when they encounter the real pressure of battle.
Training and support for your young leaders is vital, but don’t attempt to protect them from taking a hit. Leadership doesn’t happen from behind a computer screen; it’s a contact sport. Let them feel it, or you hurt them in the long run.
Know each leader well enough so you know just how much weight will stretch them but not hurt them. If you are unsure, keep your conversation with them open, honest, and current.
4. Inclusion Never Escapes the Sacrifice of Leadership.
The Church was born out of sacrifice. Jesus established that on the cross. Sacrifice is still required for growth.
What do you give up? I really don’t want to make a list. That’s between you and God.
The toughest thing about sacrificing for ministry is not giving something up; it’s knowing where to draw the line. Legalism is you drawing lines for others. Bondage is others drawing lines for you. You and God have to work it out.
When young leaders face difficult choices that arise from pressure in ministry, talk with them, coach and guide them, but let them decide.
5. Inclusion Involves Honest Ongoing Conversations, Assessment, and Feedback.
I’ll name one common sacrifice in ministry. Time. It’s common to give up time for yourself to invest in others.
It takes time to include young leaders.
The good news is that most of us find that investment to be pure joy, and again, you draw your own healthy lines.
Time is needed for ongoing conversations that honestly discuss the complexities of ministry leadership, assess their progress, and give helpful feedback.
6. Inclusion Needs to Demonstrate the Power of Partnership.
In John 17, often referred to as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, He clearly emphasized unity.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)
