Leaders, are ye of little FAITH?

A friend shared this acronym for ministry leaders that’s been immensely helpful, both for taking stock and bearing fruit.

F-A-I-T-H.

Are we:

Faithful — How do you do what your ministry requires you to? On your own initiative or after multiple reminders? Do you find yourself planning in advance or scrambling the night before? Faithful leaders are consistent, working “heartily as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24) — irrespective of whether their efforts reap acknowledgement or praise. Our faith should drive our faithfulness, just like it did for Noah, who showed up every day to build the ark even without any rain in sight.

Available — You love your ministry, but you also have other pursuits and priorities. It’s when we make ourselves available that we get to see God work things we never would’ve imagined possible — just like the disciples discovered when they dropped their nets to follow Him.

Our faith should drive our faithfulness, just like it did for Noah, who showed up every day to build the ark even without any rain in sight

Intentional — Serving is not only about showing up. Preparing your heart before you do and working to equip others to partner with you, or even continue the ministry after you, goes a long way to bearing fruit. Whether we’re ministering to a single child or an entire congregation, there is no wisdom in just ‘going through the motions’, not when God has been working everything — from our salvation to our sanctification — by design.

Teachable — No matter how many years of experience we gain, there will always be new lessons to learn. Paul urged Timothy not to let anyone despise his youth (1 Timothy 4:12), but it’s worth considering if we have a greater issue today with looking down on the wisdom that comes with age — especially when we’ve been engaged in a certain ministry for a while. Whatever quarter it comes from, can our attitude to rebuke or negative feedback use some pruning?

Humble — May His name be glorified. Stock phrase, or do we genuinely order our service so that there are no distractions from giving all glory to God alone? To us, David was a Biblical giant, but when he turned his gaze upward, then inward, all he could say was: “What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). Humility is our only hope, when pride entices us to claim His throne.

As we share in the privilege of building God’s kingdom, may we be leaders of much FAITH.