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.
17. A Servant’s Heart
Ask “How can I make your job easier?” This works from the top down or from a volunteer to a leader. Look for ways to assist and serve others and to improve your product, service, or experience.
18. Respect
The best ministry leaders lead with respect by valuing the individuals on your team. Know who they 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.
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. To lead such a team, you must be trustworthy.
21. Individuality
Recognize your unique mix of resources, skills, talents, gifts, knowledge, and strength. Let this empower you to thrive.
22. Good Example
There’s something contagious in every person. Know what you bring to the mix as a ministry leader and keep it beneficial. 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 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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