Cultivating Community in Leadership
Human beings were never made to live in isolation. Throughout Scripture, we learn about the importance of community, togetherness, and how there is strength and wisdom in numbers. Just as the apostle Paul urged the early churches to fight against division within their communities, I believe there is that same call to break divisiveness and to build unity among local churches today.
It is important to note that unity is not uniformity. Although we are all made in the image of God, I hope we can agree that none of us look identical, have the same personality, or even function similarly. In the very same way, each church isn’t meant to be uniform to one another. Every church will look different, reach a different demographic, and may even have certain theological differences from one another.
However, I believe that if our foundations are rooted in who Jesus is, there is always room for conversation and a place to learn from one another at the table. A true community recognizes our differences and how that can be a strength to the greater mosaic of churches. It takes a lowering of pride and seeing that God is not only inviting our church to participate in his Kingdom work but rather all of our churches to be working together for His purpose.
A true community recognizes our differences and how that can be a strength to the greater mosaic of churches.
When I was 17 years old, God transformed my life and brought me into my first church community. As a young worship leader at a small church, I was forced to learn many things on my own. During that season, I constantly wondered why there weren’t any local resources I could reach out to. I wondered why churches were so segregated from one another with these unspoken words of, “we’ll do our thing and you do yours.” I wondered why there wasn’t a greater sense of collaboration and learning between local church ministries. Little did I know, God was beginning to shape and form this heart for unity in my life (specifically in the city of Toronto). Over the years, I’ve learned that cultivating community was less about gathering the masses in one room. It is all about relationships. It is about knowing one another, learning from each other, and working towards a common vision.
Over the years, I’ve learned that cultivating community was less about gathering the masses in one room. It is all about relationships.
I want to challenge you to think about the community you are building around you as a worship leader. Do you have mentors who have walked the path and can speak truth and wisdom into your ministry journey? Who are your spiritual friends beside you to help keep you accountable and bring you affirmation? Do you have ministry friends outside of your church - worship leaders that you can be intentional in learning, growing, and journeying together with? Leadership can often feel lonely because we simply don’t have the support structure around us to sustain healthy long-term leadership. My hope is that you will be intentional in breaking out of your ministry silo and seeking out community in whatever ways you can.
