By Cindy Jansen

Welcome to Our Leadership Journey!

Hello, and welcome! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a Christian leader passionate about making a difference in your church, community or workplace. Whether you’re leading a ministry team, a board meeting or an entire congregation–we’re excited to walk alongside you on this journey of growth, discovery, and a little bit of laughter.

Why Leadership Matters

Leadership isn’t just about titles; it’s about influence. As John Maxwell, a leadership expert, reminds us, “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” Think about it: Jesus influenced people, often by his actions, and large crowds started to follow. He led by example, showing us that leadership in its purest form means serving others with love, grace, and purpose.

In Matthew 20:26, Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” This flips the usual idea of leadership on its head. Great leaders aren’t those who seek power but those who serve and uplift others. That’s why Christian leadership is so special—it’s a call to serve in humility and lead with purpose, pointing others to Christ.

Foundational Pillars of Christian Leadership

Let’s talk about some key principles that define a strong Christian leader. Think of these as the “big rocks” to put in your leadership jar before anything else (and if you’re wondering, yes, coffee and donut breaks fit around them quite nicely).

1. A Heart for Servant Leadership

Service is at the heart of Christian leadership. Remember Jesus washing His disciples’ feet in John 13? It wasn’t just an act of humility; it was a demonstration that true leaders serve. As a Christian leader, the question isn’t, “How can I make others serve my vision?” It’s, “How can I serve others and help them reach their God-given potential?”

2. Integrity and Trust

People follow leaders they can trust. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Building trust means keeping our word, showing up with honesty, and demonstrating moral courage—even when no one is looking. It’s tempting to think people won’t notice, but as we’ve all learned, little ones have a way of calling us out faster than anyone else. (P.S.—We talk more about trust in future blog posts. It’s just THAT important!)

3. Vision and Clarity

Vision is what moves a group from “going through the motions” to “going places.” As a leader, God may place a vision in your heart for your ministry, your family or your community. Habakkuk 2:2 advises us to “write the vision and make it plain.” This vision becomes a shared goal that rallies and unites others, and it’s especially effective when combined with practical steps—something God honors with a good dose of clarity..

We all know leadership isn’t easy. Sometimes it means organizing events, managing a dozen schedules, and—let’s face it—playing tech support when the projector isn’t “feeling it” that Sunday morning. Humor is a gift, and sometimes the best way to navigate challenges is with a laugh (and a silent prayer). So let’s embrace the bumps, the laughs and the learning curves with grace.

Let’s Lead Together

This blog series is here to support you with tips, insights and encouragement as you lead with love and purpose. Every few weeks, we’ll dig deeper into different aspects of leadership—from emotional intelligence to decision-making, and how to lead well without losing sight of the mission God has entrusted to you.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to growing, laughing, and serving with you. Remember: leadership isn’t a solo act. We’re all in this together, inspired by the One who first showed us the way.

Here’s to a year of growing in leadership—and maybe a few good stories along the way.

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