Life has given me some pretty nerve-racking moments in leadership. My first significant leadership role was at age 18. I was entrusted with leading five other teenagers around the state of Florida to run the summer Vacation Bible School programs at the state's Salvation Army churches. I was leading the team, running the program, speaking on Sundays at some churches, and, most terrifyingly, driving the fifteen-passenger van with a ten-foot trailer. I'd never had that kind of responsibility for people, things, or ministry before. I remember when a trusted Pastor asked me to lead the team. I said, "no, I don't think I can do that." She said, "that's exactly why I'm asking you."

This Pastor had noticed something about me that I wasn't even aware of at the time. I liked to serve, I really loved people, and I believed God was faithful. Maybe it was the stories I heard as a child about David and Goliath or the ways I had seen his faithfulness and trustworthiness to me and my family as I grew up. Whatever the reason, she saw in my young life what I had learned at an early age, serving was fun, people were worth loving, and God was always faithful. With those three qualities, God started my life on a leadership journey that led me to where I am today.

God will often start our leadership journeys in quantities that we can handle. Eight weeks of Vacation Bible School was mine. Notice there wasn't much talk about my ability to lead. I know at the time, my leadership was very immature. In fact, the reason I was asked to lead was that she was convinced I didn't think I could do it. My doubt in myself qualified me to lead. "That's exactly why I'm asking you." She knew I would follow her instructions, ask for help, and stick to our assignment. She knew I would serve, love people, and trust God.

I'm confident several of you are reading this and aren't currently in any type of spiritual leadership. Maybe you've never led in children's or student ministries, or you've never led a small group or mission team. Maybe you've never tried to lead in these ways because you think, like I did, "no, I don't think I can do that." As your Pastor, I'd like to say to you, "that's exactly why I'm asking you." Can you serve and love people? Can you trust God is in control? Are you willing to be a part of a team and ask for help? Then actually, you can lead. And honestly, we need you more than you know. God is raising up the next generation of leaders here at Petra Church, and I'd like for you to prayerfully consider how God is nudging you to be a part of what he is doing in us.

I encourage you to make part of your fasting week a journey of discovery into the calling of leadership that God may have in your life. Ask him to show you how you can get involved in the ministries of Petra Church. Where might it be that he is calling you to plug in? Would you be willing to follow his lead, ask him for help, and stick to the assignment he gives you?

Still nervous? "that's exactly why I'm asking you."

Tags: loving, humility, leadership, serving, caring, initiative