Deeper Intimacy With Jesus Through Ministry Leadership

At Sonlife, we’re all in on equipping youth ministry leaders to develop disciple making ministries that reflect the character and priorities of Jesus, informed by the chronological movement of his ministry as recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament. That’s a good summary of us.

We can sometimes be lampooned as people who preach that, if ministry leaders do what Jesus did, they’ll get the same results Jesus got… either a multiplied ministry that lasts millennia, or an early crucifixion. Take your pick.

Lampoons are, by nature, exaggerations. We may sometimes come across that way, but it’s not really the essence of our message. We genuinely believe that there’s great wisdom to be found in living as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).

To be more specific, in our training and coaching for youth ministry leaders, we prioritize our call to carry on the work of Jesus. Jesus speaks to us about this in the Gospel of John,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! – 14:12-14 (emphasis mine)

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. – 20:21-22 (emphasis mine)

In other words, Jesus is still doing his work, but he is now doing it primarily through us, as his Spirit animates us.

But don’t miss the unbolded portions of Jesus’ message: “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it… so that the Son can bring glory to the Father… peace be with you”. These are relational words pointing to a hidden advantage to leading your ministry the Jesus way. It’s an unlooked for joy… a deeper intimacy with Jesus through ministry leadership.

In this way, leading in youth ministry actually becomes a spiritual discipline. It’s something we practice that leads us toward transformation through the real experience of Jesus. 

In my years of seeking to lead a ministry this way there were difficulties and decisions I faced, both personal and ministry related, that forced me toward intimacy with Jesus. During those times, it was deeply helpful to link Jesus’ ministry story with that of my own story. For example, I remember battling intense anxiety over an extended period of time due to personal and family pressures, doubts about ministry effectiveness, and simple exhaustion. Finally, I was struck by a portrayal of Jesus’ struggle in the Garden the night he would be betrayed. He understood anxiety. I sought him in conversation, asking him to rid me of my struggle. He assured me that I needed to struggle in the ways I was, but that I would sense his nearness to me when I did so. It’s made a great difference in my life. One which I may not have noticed if I weren’t seeking to stay in close proximity to him in ministry.

Take advantage of your position as a ministry leader. Assess the challenges you are facing and go to Jesus and ask, “What did you do when you faced something similar? How can I be most faithful to the Father’s will right now?” Trust that he’ll show you the way.

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. – John 14:15-17