Ministry leaders who are focused on the Lord and on the work set before them will continually be working on personal growth, too. However, personal growth is not always a one-person show. As a leader, you have the opportunity and responsibility to come alongside your ministers and nurture them towards growth and maturity. This means finding specific areas of growth for each leader and discovering ways to enhance that quality. 

As you challenge yourself and your leadership team to be more like Jesus, you can expect the results to spread through the rest of your church as well. Setting the pace and living your life as an example will encourage others to do the same. However, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to nurturing ministry leaders.

We’ve identified four specific qualities each leader should possess. These ministry leader qualities may seem simple, but taking the time to analyze each one will help you to know if you’re on the right track.

Teachable Heart

“Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” Proverbs 15:32

A ministry leader should always have a teachable heart. The fact that sin influences our lives on a daily basis should show our need to seek truth. One way to maintain a teachable heart is to find a mentor who can challenge you to think Biblically. Surrounding yourself with admirable Christian leaders and actively learning from them can be life-giving and life-changing.

Ask Yourself

  • Am I teachable?
  • How am I showing that I have a teachable heart?
  • Who can I meet with on a regular basis to learn from and lean on as I continue my Christian walk?

Ability to Love Others

“But as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.” 2 Corinthians 8:7-8

Finding a genuine way to love others in your congregation and on your team is a great way to practice the quality of loving others. Ministry leaders have a unique opportunity to share and inspire love. Challenge yourself to love better and cultivate a spirit of sincerity.

Ask Yourself

  • How do I currently love others?
  • Am I genuine or just trying to check off a to-do list?
  • What are the ways I can sincerely love my team and congregation?

Effective Communication

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.” Psalm 37:30

Church members need clear and concise communication from their ministry leaders. As a leader, you should take time to consider how you can best communicate with those in your congregation so that empty words don’t continuously pour forth, but, rather, grace-filled, impactful words that touch the lives of those listening.

Ask Yourself

  • Are the words I use life-giving or empty?
  • Who can challenge me to be better at communicating?

Strong Collaborator

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Each ministry leader should have the ability to rely on their team. You are not the only one involved in the decisions you make for the church. Be sure to cultivate this quality so you be the best leader you can be among your team.

Ask Yourself

  • Where are the areas I have seen myself as a team-oriented person?
  • What are the areas I need to be more collaborative?
  • Who can help examine whether I have this quality or not?

Next Steps

If you need inspiration on how to nurture these qualities and others, check out the online courses offered in the Church Relevance Course Shop. They are created to help ministry leaders thrive.