Care for your soul. The only legitimate place a leader can be selfish is in the care of his or her soul. Biblical reflection and daily prayer should be a leader's top priority, resulting in deeper intimacy with Christ, clearer self-awareness, selfless attentiveness to the needs of others, and release of attachments that hinder one's walk of faith.

Build a healthy team. It's impossible to lead others in isolation. A healthy team bases its relationships on trust in God and one another; knows that each member needs to be empowered to serve out of his or her passion and gift mix; assimilates with one another in order to multiply their shared effectiveness; manages the resources entrusted to their care; and serves with joy - always for the glory of God.

Be relationally focused. Recognize that everything you "do" in ministry grows out of who you "are" in ministry. Leaders are called into a ministry of reconciliation, leading others first toward God and then toward community. In order for the whole ...