So much of what we do in ministry can often be done with our eyes closed: we order curriculum, we purchase supplies, we exchange email, we attend meetings, we create spreadsheets, we sweep up abandoned candy wrappers.  But when we sit down to reconsider the direction of our ministry or launch something new, we spend hours upon hours in prayer, gathering research, praying some more, and considering the options that would best suit our ministry.

As a leader, we hope that those under our leadership trust us and the decisions that we’ll make.  Some areas require a lot more trust than others.  Have you approached your Senior Leadership with a wild, wacky idea that you feel God gave you?  Have you asked your trustee board for more money for your ministry?  Have you asked your volunteers to dream with you about a ministry prospect that’s a year or two down the road?  Have you asked parents to adjust to a new, more secure check-in policy?

Leadership requires many things: vision, planning, and strategy, just to name a few.  But have you ever considered how much courage it takes to lead?  As I think about my own ministry journey, I have started new programs, stopped other programs and tweaked other programs.  I have asked leaders above me and volunteers and parents alongside of me to trust me as I led, to trust me enough to walk out on a limb and have great success, to trust me enough to walk out on a limb and possibly fail.

This has been a season of transition for our preteens.  I am so thankful to my church leadership for seeing my vision to revamp our ministry to preteens.  I am thankful for the budget that they have allotted for me to launch.  I am thankful for the space that they allowed me to redesign.  I am thankful for the prayer support that they provided to me.

I am so thankful to my volunteers for also seeing my vision.  I am thankful that they believe that our ministry what God has called them to.  I am thankful for the flexibility that they’ve shown as we continue to settle in to this new season of ministry.  I am thankful for the many ways that they show up each week to connect with their small groups and help them grow in their relationship with God and each other.

I am so thankful to our parents for the support that they have offered.  Each week, they entrust their preteens to us for 75 minutes.  I am blessed by their faith in us and their commitment to their child’s spiritual journey by adjusting their schedules so that despite a sporting event, they still make time for church on Sunday mornings.

Lastly, I am thankful to our preteens.  Change is hard for some adults, but it’s much harder for some kids.  We adapted our ministry’s look and format this fall and I am so proud of our preteens for trusting us to provide a great environment for them each week.  I am thankful that they want to be a part of our community and for helping spread momentum throughout our entire church.

My heart is so full and thankful for the trust that is placed in my leadership.  I do not take that for granted.

What are you thankful for?