The Heart of Leadership – A Young Minister’s Cry
We often hear comments like, “He is not capable of this,” or “She is not ready for that responsibility.” While it is true that no one is gifted to do everything, it is equally true that no one should be dismissed simply because of one area of weakness. God, in His wisdom, appoints each person for a purpose, shaping them for the place He intends them to serve.
This article is a call for Christian leaders to look beyond weaknesses and shortcomings, to nurture rather than neglect, to guide rather than burden. Especially for young ministers, what is most needed is encouragement and direction—not discouragement or empty counsel, but genuine support that strengthens their calling.
God’s Chosen Ones Can Be Overlooked
A young man, Alex, serves the Lord with passion and commitment. He gives his best in ministry, often spending extra time in outreaches and service. His peers admire his dedication, yet he is not the most social person. Because he is quiet and reserved, others sometimes assume he is less capable. Sadly, the leaders responsible for his ministry focus more on this outward impression than on his faithfulness. They overlook his heart for service and quietly undermine his ability without truly seeing his work.
Too often, we are like Alex’s leaders. We judge people by how outgoing, eloquent, or visible they are, while overlooking the quiet dedication and steady faithfulness of those who serve in the background.
When God chose David to replace Saul as king, everyone expected someone stronger, taller, or more impressive. Samuel himself thought Eliab must be the chosen one, but God reminded him: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7). One by one, Jesse presented his sons, yet none was chosen until finally the youngest—David, the overlooked shepherd boy—was called in from the fields.
In the same way, God’s chosen servants today may not be the ones we expect. They may not hold impressive degrees, speak with eloquence, or carry influence in society. They may not be the loudest voice in the room or the most polished speaker. Yet often, it is those faithfully serving behind the scenes whom God delights to use for His purposes.
Paul reminded Timothy of this truth when he wrote: “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12). Timothy was young and timid, easily weighed down by criticism and expectations. If he only heard reminders of his weaknesses, he might have shrunk back in fear rather than grown in faith. Instead, Paul’s words restored his courage and strengthened his resolve. God does not measure His servants by outward appearance or social skill, but by the faithfulness of their hearts and the example they set.
The Need for Mentors
Many young Christian leaders do not grow because they do not receive proper guidance and mentorship. Nearly every young leader in Scripture was shaped through the hand of a mentor. With guidance and care, they matured into great leaders.
In many of our Christian communities, mentoring needs to be rethought. True mentoring is not a one-time meeting where all the necessary information is handed down. It is a continued process. It is not merely giving advice but walking with someone in their journey—being available to listen, to walk, and to grow together.
Today, with the pressing struggles faced by young ministers, what they need most is not quick advice but presence—someone willing to listen, to struggle with them, and to share the same heart. It is not always ready-made answers that shape leaders, but often the search for answers together that moulds both mentor and disciple.
Many young ministers are not frustrated because they lack passion, but because they lack people who can listen without judgment or prejudice. The pressures of the world weigh heavily on them, and without elders who are willing to walk alongside them, they easily wear out.
Sadly, many Christian leaders set unrealistic expectations for the younger ones. They become critical and dismissive instead of encouraging. Consider Alex’s story again. He was easily dismissed because he was not very sociable. But instead of undermining him, his leaders could have chosen to walk with him in that struggle. He had potential. He only needed someone to listen, guide, and encourage him. But his weakness was magnified, and his strength was overlooked. This is the reality for many young Christian leaders today.
Paul’s example with Timothy and Titus shows us that true mentoring is more than giving instructions. His last letter to Timothy reveals how deeply he loved him, reminding him of his tears and faith. His decision to leave Titus in Crete was not abandonment but trust, supported by continual guidance through letters. And even Onesimus, a runaway slave, was called Paul’s son alongside Timothy and Titus. For Paul, mentoring was never a one-time event—it was a lifelong commitment of love and presence.
Nick, a ministry leader, carries a good reputation through his degree and ministry experiences. He is gifted in organizing programs and delegating responsibilities with efficiency. Yet, amid these strengths, he sometimes overlooks the struggles of his staff. Instead of nurturing their growth, he tends to magnify small shortcomings while missing the good they bring to the ministry. His habit of speaking more than listening made it difficult for his team to open up, even when they deeply respected him.
Still, Nick’s journey reminds us that leadership is not only about tasks accomplished but also about people encouraged. A leader who takes time to listen, affirm, and notice the unseen efforts of others can unlock hidden strengths in their team. When leaders learn to balance their vision with empathy, ministries don’t just function — they flourish, because those who serve feel valued and refreshed in the process.
When young ministers are constantly reminded of their shortcomings, they begin to carry an invisible weight that slowly eats away at their confidence. What starts as a moment of correction can, if mishandled, turn into a deep wound. Instead of growing in maturity, many end up doubting their own calling, questioning whether God can truly use them. Some even withdraw silently from ministry—not because they lack passion, but because the constant pressure has stripped away their courage to serve.
We need mentors like Paul today more than ever. Without proper mentoring, the future of our ministries will suffer—not for lack of knowledge, but for lack of wisdom, guidance, and example. Knowledge without mentoring produces information, but knowledge shaped by mentoring produces transformation.
Vision that Inspires
Another flaw in mentoring is the absence of vision. When someone is guided without vision, there is no sense of direction in the journey. Vision is what gives clarity and purpose—it shows where we are going and why the effort matters. Without it, mentoring becomes activity without meaning, a cycle of correction and tasks that do not inspire growth.
Scripture reminds us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). A mentor with vision doesn’t just point out mistakes but lifts the eyes of the mentee to see what God is doing and what He desires for their future. Vision sets goals, prevents discouragement, and sustains passion. Without it, even the most willing heart can grow weary, as mentoring turns into pressure rather than empowerment.
Often in our ministries, ministers are taught to have burdens and rightly so. Without burden, a ministry cannot be fruitful. Yet burden without vision is just a project to be finished. Many young Christian leaders fail to continue because they do not have vision for the future of their involvement. Leaders often fail to envision the future for them.
When a leader imparts vision, it sparks a passion that can endure even the most difficult challenges. The disciples of Jesus Christ embraced the vision of the Gospel so deeply that they feared no death and carried the message far and wide. Titus, inspired by Paul, remained in Crete to set things in order, while Timothy faithfully carried the vision of his mentor and the Gospel of Christ. Without vision, however, ministry becomes stagnant – contented with the present and lacking the drive to do more, go further, and grow deeper.
Brad, a ministry leader, was known for his strong administrative skills. He delegated tasks well, kept things in order, and ensured that the ministry stayed aligned with the expectations of the higher committees. His reliability made him a dependable figure in organizational matters, and people could count on him to get things done the way they were instructed.
Yet, what Brad gained in structure, he lacked in vision. He could follow orders and execute plans, but he struggled to inspire his young leaders with a greater purpose. Without vision, his team felt like they were only completing assignments rather than pursuing a mission. This left his subordinates uncertain about his leadership, for while rules kept them in line, vision was what they longed for to move forward with passion and conviction. Leaders today must remember that administration alone cannot sustain a ministry—without vision, even the best structures will eventually feel empty.
A leader must have a clear vision for
the ministry and for the young people they are entrusted with. Brad’s example
shows that good administration alone is not enough—tasks can easily turn into
mere duties if there is no bigger picture to guide them. When vision is
lacking, people carry the work as a burden rather than a calling. But when a
leader communicates vision, it inspires purpose and meaning, helping young
leaders see how their service contributes to God’s greater mission. Vision
lifts hearts, fuels passion, and turns responsibility into joyful commitment.
Example to follow
When leaders carry vision and live it out, they naturally become examples for younger ministers to follow. Elijah showed this to Elisha—not only through his words but through his life. Elisha followed because his master walked ahead of him. A leader who only speaks may inspire for a moment, but if he does not walk the path himself, his followers are left staring at words without direction.
There was an old professor who quietly picked up plastic waste across the campus. At first, no one paid attention, and he never mentioned it to anyone. But over time, some students began to do the same—not because he told them, but because he modelled it. His example was powerful because it was genuine. Examples are not for display; they flow from doing what is right, even when no one is watching.
Paul reminded Timothy of the same principle: “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12). Even when others overlook or underestimate us, the consistency of our example speaks louder than recognition. A leader’s example, grounded in integrity, gives others the courage and clarity to follow.
Ultimately, leadership is not proven
by eloquence but by consistency of life. The younger generation learns more
from what they witness than from what they are told. When a leader’s actions
align with his words, he leaves behind a legacy that continues long after
speeches are forgotten. In the end, examples outlive instructions, and a
leader’s silent faithfulness often becomes the loudest sermon for those who
come after him.
Call to Action & Conclusion
Leadership is not merely about holding a position; it is about stewarding influence for God’s glory. The examples of leaders who lack humility, who serve only for recognition, or who fail to cast vision remind us of the dangers of neglecting the true essence of ministry. At the same time, those who quietly model faithfulness, integrity, and consistency show us the kind of leaders God uses to shape lives and generations.
Paul reminds us: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). His words echo the truth that leadership is never about exalting ourselves but about pointing others to the One we follow. Leadership, then, is not a title to be claimed, but a trust to be honoured. The call of God upon a leader’s life is both a privilege and a responsibility. Every choice—whether to serve sacrificially or selfishly, to encourage or to discourage, to cast vision or to remain indifferent—shapes not only the present but also the future of the people entrusted to us.
If we desire to see a generation of young people rising with strength, conviction, and clarity of purpose, we must first embody the qualities we long to see in them. As, again, Paul wrote to Timothy: “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). That is the standard of leadership God calls us to embrace.
This is God’s challenge to every one of us: to lead with vision that inspires, humility that serves, and authenticity that endures. True leadership does not overlook the God-given potential in others but seeks to nurture it. It recognizes the need for mentoring, patiently guiding others toward maturity in Christ. Let us therefore commit ourselves afresh to being leaders who do not simply demand loyalty but earn it through character, who do not merely speak about mission but live it with passion, and who do not settle for carrying burdens but walk with the joy of Christ’s purpose.
In the end, the measure of true
leadership will not be how many followed us, but how many were led closer to
Christ because of us. As Paul declared: “We proclaim him, admonishing and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature
in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). May our leadership, in whatever capacity we
serve, reflect His heart and bring glory to His name.
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