Insecurity in leadership is one of my greatest concerns as I look ahead to the future of youth ministry. It doesn’t matter how focused we are on seeking the latest and best ways to minister if we are not secure in our leadership. Whether you are a volunteer or a full-time / part-time paid youth worker, your youth ministry will reflect your security, (or insecurity).
Are you secure in God’s calling, strength, and purpose for you? Or, Is your life and ministry swayed by your insecurity?
Here are 10 signs that our ministry (and lives), are swayed by insecurity:
- Our days begin with a long list of tasks that focus on keeping others happy, rather than seeking God’s affirmation.
- We constantly compare ourselves to other youth workers or the youth ministry down the street.
- We say “Yes” to every event and program idea: We are scared that by saying no, we might lose popularity.
- We can’t miss a phone call at any time of the day: If we do, it eats us alive to wonder what the call was about.
- We would rather be good friends with students, rather than being a solid leader to them.
- We regularly lose sleep when students, leaders, and parents disagree or disapprove of us.
- We constantly complain to friends about the latest conflict or disagreement in hopes to gain support and affirmation.
- We feel defeated and devastated when an event or program doesn’t quite live up to what we and others hoped, (rather than seeing it as an opportunity to grow and learn).
- We have a tendency to fish for compliments from others, and are fueled (and ruled), by their affirmations.
- We feel distant from God and feel a lack of security and confidence in Him (and His promises…)
If you are like me, there are many things on this list that I relate to. I have times when I feel confident and secure, and then there are times when I feel desperate and insecure in myself and my ministry.
I know this might be completely obvious, but who are we trying to please?
As you go through your day, consider your motivations, your decisions, and your feelings. Are they driven by the intense need to keep others happy, or are you striving to please God and let his leading bring fruit to your life and ministry? I know this might seem so obvious, but it’s one of the greatest issues I see in leadership in churches today.
Are we really living to please God, or living for the approval of others? Are we allowing insecurity to define our lives and ministries?
What would you add to this list? What are some of the indicators that your ministry and life is defined by insecurity?
Phil <><