My wife Nancy and I were asked a spontaneous question by a young adult ministry leader a few months ago over coffee. He asked, “What keeps you fresh to continue being faithful in your calling?” We shared “staying” points for thriving in the long game of ministry. One of our points was to Stay hopeful when speaking to power.
Recently, a young adult who attends one of our PAOC churches posed important questions that frames this article. She asks, “How do young adult leaders build trust and relationships with leadership and their ministries/congregation? How do they stay motivated and not lose heart, and zeal, when they discover that change takes time? How do they maintain their passion if they decide to commit to the long game?”
I’m that guy who questions why things are done the way they are since my childhood. There was also an underlying distrust of authority in my life at the same time. Not a good combo. Once, I walked into my lead pastor’s office during my early years of ministry to challenge something he had said. He was an intimidating man and slowly rose to his feet from the chair behind his desk. I knew at that moment another strategy was needed as I left his office fearing for my job. I reflected and prayed about what had happened for the next several weeks. Then one day, the lead pastor came into my office unannounced and said, “You may have missed your calling.” Ouch! But rather than being deflated, the Holy Spirit helped me to calmly and honestly share my heart. It was an orchestrated moment of speaking to power that was pivotable in my life. The lead pastor became my champion after that! So, what happened? The difference was that I took a more humble and honest approach with my elder rather than directly challenging him. 1 Timothy 5:1 comes to mind, “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers.” In other words, make sure your heart is in the right place when speaking to power, speak the truth in love, and watch how the Holy Spirit gives favour.
God has delivered me from the distrust of authority and graciously granted the privilege of hiring and developing many young women and men across generations in campus ministry. I made it a priority to invite them in sharing their opinions, concerns, and ideas for change. That resulted in new policies for campus ministry. From there I have been at PAOC district, and national tables helping craft policies toward organizational health and change.
I used to think as a younger leader that I had little influence from the second or third chair. But I am convinced that we can be the influence for change even when we are not at the top of the hierarchy. Timothy 4:12 states, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” Remember Jesus’ mother Mary, Samuel, Jeremiah, Timothy, and Joseph as inspirational role models that laid down their fears to serve in building God’s kingdom.
Heed the voice of the Spirit by speaking the truth in love as Jesus shapes your servant leadership. Being a young leader is tough at times but well worth it in the long game.
Let me know what stokes your calling for the long game at john.engels@paoc.org
John Engels is the National Coordinator for SERVE Campus Network, Mission Canada/PAOC. He has an MA in Ministerial Leadership and a passion for organizational health. John and Nancy have dedicated their lives to empowering generations of young adult campus ministry leaders.
