If you missed Part 1 or Part 2…

6. Model repentance and a Gospel centered life.

Sometimes there can be an awkward tension when it comes to who and when you confess sin as a leader. Young Guns need to see what this looks like. I am amazed continually at the humility, confession of sin and repentance among the elders when I am with them.

We minister out of our life, not out of theory. Paul kept his story in front of people to model the transforming work of the Gospel. He revealed his struggles and temptations. If Paul the Apostle lead like this, how can we think we should be any different?

Religious leaders don’t repent because their righteousness is in their performance and reputation. Gospel centered leaders repent because their righteousness is from Jesus’ righteousness and reputation.

Preaching repentance and not modeling repentance is atrocious. Rising leaders must be Christians who repent of sin all the time, and do so in community. Far too often mentors talk about the Gospel, but don’t live the Gospel and confess sin to those they are leading.

5. Bring them with you to the darkest counseling situations, to see Jesus work through the Gospel.

I have had the privilege to sit with the Pastors at Mars Hill Ballard as we walk with people through the hardest stuff in life. Seeing people set free from demonic lies and enslaving sin has been one of the best parts about my job. Young Guns need to see that the Gospel is the power of God, not their winsomeness, or their methods, the Gospel.

Young Guns need to be broken for the people they are leading. There is no quicker road to being seasoned, than to walk with God’s people through the hard stuff. God has become huge and more satisfying to me as I point people to him. He has become more trustworthy to me as I expand on his faithfulness to others. Jesus has become more gracious to me as I have pleaded with people to see that he can cleanse us from the filth of sin. He has become more worthy to me as I call people to behold him.