Why does self-awareness matter? Throughout every individual’s journey of transformation, there are challenges, some small and some seemingly insurmountable.  Without self-awareness, we cannot hope to overcome these challenges, much less lead others in facing their struggles. The sense of self can vary greatly between one person and the next: wise and healthy leaders need to be intentionally developed in this area. There have been various stages of my own life where I felt self-aware, only to look back and realise that there was much I wasn’t seeing. Self-awareness is not some epiphany that comes once in a lifetime and gives all the insight one will ever need; it is a process of continual discovery, and growth of self-awareness often leads to even more questions to ask oneself…

For dedicated spiritual leaders, I have found that one of the most challenging areas of life to make time for is, ironically, spirituality. Despite spending much of our time and energy upholding services to our community and helping others on their journey towards spiritual transformation, our own relationship with God can often flounder…

If you have been following Verve Lead for even just a few weeks, you will know that I am a strong advocate for the work of mentors, coaches, and professional supervisors. Personally, having a mentor has brought me closer to God and my calling, and I believe that developing a relationship with a mentor is crucial for all ministry leaders. Given its positive impact, let us encourage everyone to participate in the process. There is, however, a hard truth: mentoring costs…

If you ask any marathon runner, they will tell you that running as hard as you can the entire race is impossible. There may be moments for sprinting and pushing yourself, but what is really important is finding a pace that you can maintain for miles at a time. There are times to slow down, drink water and find your breath. It’s about using your energy in a sustainable manner. This is also true for our professional lives; working hard constantly will only lead you to run out of steam before the race is over, compromising your goals, mental and emotional health, and making you much more susceptible to injury. A person who prioritises work over everything will likewise face risks over time; this can cause stress on relationships and negatively impact one’s physical, mental, and emotional health…

For any Christian leader, having a trusted personal mentor, professional supervisor or coach is necessary. Even the most experienced leaders need another person’s insight for support and to ensure that they are developing and following proper practices. No matter how wise a person is, how much integrity or empathy they have, situations will always require a new perspective. A mentor/supervisor or coach is a comfort in difficult times and lets leaders rest knowing they are not alone in their struggles. There are three significant ways that a great mentor, coach or supervisor can help you: by upholding professional standards and by providing professional support and development…

Years ago my mentor asked me, “How would the devil stop you from doing what God is asking you to do?” I wasn’t sure. He began asking this question every time we had our monthly session, and after pondering it for three months, I finally knew the answer! It was emotional depletion. This was a bit of a “duh” moment for me. My emotional depletion had stopped me several times in my years in ministry, once leading to a full burnout where I lost six months of time at work to rest and to get back on my feet. However, during this time of recovery, I discovered how important self-care is for my work. Engaging routinely in self-care practices is an essential competency for all leaders…

What does it take to be a seasoned Christian leader? Even if we are respected leaders in our community, with talents and a love for the people around us, there are many other competencies needed to create a sustainable and productive life in this line of work. Some skills only come with years of experience. The main purpose of being a seasoned Christian leader is to guide others to follow Christ, to instruct them in scripture and imitation of Christ. It is what we have been discussing the last few weeks, and today this completes the series in exploring seasoned Christian leadership: loving and supporting the Church…

What’s a recent occasion where you have applied the word of God in your life?  As Christian leaders, we understand that God’s word is a gift and meant to be used to find wisdom and hope, but it can be easy to forget we have this tool at the tips of our fingers at all times. The Word of God is always accessible and there is always a verse or a story that can be applied to life. Anytime we are seeking advice, a moment of peace or a reminder of Jesus’s love, we can turn to scripture. There are many verses that have been life-changing for me. I remember reading “The Lord is my shepherd, he lets me rest,” during a period of burnout. Even though I had read this same verse many times, it was the perfect moment to rediscover it. It shifted something in me, and once I applied it to my life, I could finally begin to recover…

God designed this world perfectly with natural laws. Consider a basic example: fruit, which Britannica describes as “the fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant, enclosing the seed or seeds.” How perfect and beautiful fruit was made, to carry its own species’ means of survival inside itself. This seed will go on to ensure the fruit continues to replicate…