Foster cooperative ownership within your team. Engagement goes up, morale goes up, and success becomes more likely when everyone is invested.
16. Problem-Solver
When problems arise, look for a way—not merely a way out. If you spot a problem that needs to be addressed, go into that conversation with some ideas for solutions.
17. A Servant’s Heart
Ask, “How can I make your job easier?” Look for ways to assist and serve others and to improve your product, service, or experience. Consider how you are or aren’t equipping your team for success and ways you can support them in their roles.
18. Respect
The best ministry leaders lead with respect by valuing the individuals on their team. Know who these individuals are and what they need. Recognize and nurture their strengths. Acknowledge their sacrifices of time and resources. Honor the decisions they make.
19. Strength
Understand your personal strengths and shore up your weaknesses. Collaborate with others. Don’t allow your ministry’s mission to be compromised because of pride. There’s great strength in owning your mistakes. And this creates an environment where others feel safe to also say, “I didn’t get it right this time, but I can learn and do differently next time.”
20. Trustworthy
Trust is the key factor that makes many of these other qualities possible. Within an environment of trust, a team feels the freedom to collaborate, forgive, show vulnerability, communicate, and risk failure (as noted in #19). To lead such a team, you must be trustworthy and authentic.
21. Individuality
Recognize your unique mix of resources, skills, talents, gifts, knowledge, and strength. Let this empower you to thrive.
22. Good Example
Trust in the power of the good example. Know what you bring to the mix as a ministry leader and how you can maximize your positive attributes. Set an example of how to lead, how to serve, and how to handle failure and frustration. Spread the good stuff.
23. Worship
Let everything you do be done for God’s glory. Help people understand how their role, no matter how seemingly significant or small, is an offering of worship, too.
24. Evaluation
Assessment and feedback are critical to improvement. Look objectively at the fruit of your team’s work. Look in the mirror to see where you can improve. Coach your team members on ways they can grow.
25. Refreshed
Christina Willett has served in kidmin for over 20 years. She’s a children’s ministry director in Puyallup, Washington.
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