Leadership isn't about a title, a platform, or being the loudest person in the room. It starts with following Jesus first, loving people well, and being willing to do what He has asked you to do, even when it would be easier not to.
I learned leadership in church hallways, volunteer meetings, classrooms, hard conversations, last minute problems, and plenty of ordinary Wednesdays.
It looks a lot less like standing on a platform and a lot more like showing up. It means building systems so people aren't constantly operating in chaos. It means listening before correcting, telling the truth when something needs to change, giving grace when people are learning, and being willing to stand up for the people God has entrusted to you. Especially the children. I believe good leadership creates clarity, accountability, and room for people to grow. And sometimes leadership is simply being the person willing to say, "this isn't working, We can do better." Not because you need control. Because stewardship matters.
For me, leadership shows up in the details. It is preparing before people arrive. Knowing what the team needs. Making the schedule. Fixing the problem nobody else noticed. Having the conversation you would really rather avoid. Encouraging someone who is worn out. Admitting when you were wrong. And showing back up the next week.
Grace means I remember I am leading people, not projects.
Truth means I do not ignore something just because addressing it would be uncomfortable.
And Grit means I keep doing the work God has placed in front of me, even when it is slow, unseen, or harder than I expected.
I do not lead perfectly! I want to lead faithfully!
These are the anchors I keep returning to, the ways God keeps teaching me to lead, love, serve, and live life with grace and grit.
Stand firm in truth and faith, especially when it's hard. A steady leader points others back to the One who never moves.
Serve beside your people, not above them. Leadership begins in the trenches where humility grows.
Teach truth from God's Word! Model what you want multiplied. Through patience, example, and grace. Teaching builds future leaders.
Lead with systems and structure that leave space for grace. Order brings peace; accountability builds trust.
Share what God's teaching you, His truth, His Word, His ways. Leadership isn't about your story; it's about telling His and pointing others back to Him.
I have learned that leadership is rarely glamorous. Most of it happens in places nobody sees. It is prayer before the meeting, preparation before the event, the conversation after everyone else leaves, the decision to tell the truth. The choice to extend grace, the willingness to stay when things are messy. I will always care deeply about the people God has placed in front of me, especially children, families, and the teams serving them. I will ask questions, I will probably have opinions. ;) An when something matters, I will speak up. But I want all of it to come back to the same thing: Follow Jesus. Love people. Tell the truth. Serve faithfully. Leave the results with God.
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