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7 Vital Practices for Young Leaders

5. Learning From Your Mistakes

Most of our mistakes as leaders come from poor decisions, which are sometimes the result of a lack of experience; the good news is that we can learn from them.

All leaders make mistakes. That comes with the territory. If we are not making mistakes, we are most likely not actually leading, that is, solving problems, making progress, and helping people.

A helpful process when it comes to making a mistake:

  • Give yourself permission to make mistakes.
  • When you make a mistake, own it. Never blame someone else.
  • Identify, as best you can, why you made a mistake.
  • Clearly determine what you learned. (Write it down in one sentence.)
  • Determine not to make that same mistake again.
  • Continue to learn how to make better decisions.

6. Serving Others With Joy

My hunch is that you entered into ministry because you love God, are called, love people, and enjoy serving them for the benefit of their continuing spiritual maturity.

After years of ministry leadership, that’s not always so easy. The people we serve are just as human as we are, which means they are imperfect too.

The key to serving is to do so with joy, not out of duty, but because your heart is compelled.

Don’t get me wrong; there are days, even seasons, when just doing the right thing is required. But you won’t last in ministry without genuine joy in your serving.

Joy comes from:

  • Remembering your call
  • Sensing how much God loves you
  • Loving people just as they are
  • Seeing people grow is a passion
  • Choosing joy. (Sometimes, you simply choose joy.)

7. Following Jesus With Passion

Jesus is the head of the Church and holds things together. (Colossians 1:17-18) The longer you lead, the more that will mean to you.

That scripture means more to me every year. It reminds me that I’m not in control, and God is with me no matter what the challenge.

As leaders, we may be in charge but not in control. We depend upon God for the power and favor for anything of eternal value to take place.

Like me, I’m sure you are grateful for the comfort, grace, wisdom, power, gifts, and fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the great gift that Jesus promised just before He ascended into Heaven. (Acts 1:8-9)

But even more, I’m grateful for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross and the gif of eternal life. Without that, without His resurrection, we serve in vain.

In this light, take time to pursue your personal relationship with Jesus. Quiet, reflective moments of prayer is a great gift to yourself.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.