This is the third article in this series on leadership dos and don’ts. Read parts one and two. These were developed from a recent meeting with all generations of women’s ministry leaders.
Following are more dos of leadership, segmented with some specific distinctions for younger and experienced leaders.
Let’s start with dos for younger leaders:
- Make accountability a part of your leadership structure. This helps you grow and learn as well as have someone who will ask you challenging questions.
- Be respectful of and open to learning from pre-established structures, leaders, and even traditions. Some things may not always need to stay just as they are but at least consider them. Always remember that biblical principles are unchanging.
- Forgive older leaders when they cross boundaries. They really are seeking your best.
- Realize that ultimately you are here to please God, not the older leader, your mentor, or anyone else.
Now, let’s look at some dos specifically for experienced leaders:
- Create an environment that takes spiritual gifts and strengths into account regarding the future shape of women’s ministry. Learn about skills that new leaders bring before assigning them. Even use assessments if necessary. Free up women to do what they’ve been created and called to do. This brings sustainability to ministry with women for the future.
- Break structure down or create structure as needed. Evaluate what is effective today and what is not.
- Use all technological methods that work. Discern the best modes of communication for each area of ministry and use them.
- Make educational tradeoffs. We can all learn from each other. Younger leaders have skills to share and older leaders have spiritual wisdom to share. Trade off!
- Be aware of boundaries and earn the right to speak into the lives of younger women.
- Don’t focus so much on what “they” don’t do, focus on and affirm what they do.
- Build up younger leaders. Encourage them, resource them, and cheer them on.
- Use younger leaders. Ask their opinions, ask them to serve as leaders, give them time in front of other women to learn how to lead.
Watch for the next article in this series as we address the don’ts for leaders both young and experienced.
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
