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Leadership often creates images of bold vision, strategic decisions, and public victories. But some of the most powerful leadership happens far away from the spotlight — in living rooms, whispered prayers, and private tears. It’s the kind of leadership forged in pain, tested by tensions at home, and carried forward not by charisma, but by courage. Recently, I was reminded of this kind of leadership.
A few friends opened up about the strain of walking with Jesus in a family that doesn’t believe. There was no dramatic solution or quick fix. Just pain — raw and real. And yet, what moved me most was not the hardship, but the posture in the midst of it. This wasn’t someone walking away from faith. This was someone running deeper into God — trusting, surrendering, and holding on. That, to me, is leadership. Not because it’s loud or visible, but because it’s faithful. I’ve seen these friends’ journey through the last 7–8 years — facing rejection, uncertainty, and deep disappointments. But I’ve also seen God provide, again and again, often in ways no human parent or mentor could have orchestrated. There’s a quiet strength forming in them — a steadiness shaped not by easy seasons, but by daily dependence on God. True leadership isn’t always about leading many. Sometimes, it’s about how we lead ourselves when no one else is watching.
When someone chooses to keep going, keep believing, and keep serving in tough conditions, they’re not just surviving. They’re leading. Leadership, in the Kingdom of God, looks like a cross before it looks like a crown. I count it a deep joy and privilege to walk with friends like this. People who show that leadership is not always about being followed — sometimes, it’s just about being faithful. To anyone reading this who feels unseen or weary in the trenches of life: take heart. Your quiet obedience matters. You are leading — more than you know. Keep going. Keep leaning into Jesus. Keep living for the One who sees it all. You're inspiring more people than you realize.
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Lately, I’ve been carrying something heavy on my heart — not out of frustration, but out of deep care for the church and the people God has brought into our midst. Each week, something sacred happens. We gather. We worship. We listen. We pray. We open ourselves to God’s Word. But beyond all the visible elements of a service, there’s something invisible that holds it all together — the quiet, faithful presence of those who choose to show up, again and again.
I say this gently — that when some of our leaders, volunteers and people who deeply love the church aren’t around, it makes a real difference. Not just in logistics or planning, but in the atmosphere. In our ability to connect with new folks. In how supported or stretched the rest of the team feels. Even in how we, as leaders, stay encouraged. We might think, “I’m not on duty this week,” or “I’m not leading anything today, so maybe I can sit this one out.” But here’s the thing: being present is part of how we lead. Your presence is a powerful gospel witness. Just being there — standing in worship, making eye contact, catching up with someone over chai — tells others: “This matters. You matter. God is doing something here, and I want to be a part of it.” Church was never meant to run on programs and rotas. It’s built on relationships — and relationships need consistency, presence, and availability. This is especially true for those of us who have taken up leadership or committed to serve in some capacity. It’s not about guilt or performance. It’s about understanding that our presence is part of our discipleship. I wonder if part of the challenge is that we don’t always talk about this clearly. We don’t want to sound legalistic or demanding, but maybe we’ve swung so far in the direction of grace that we’ve forgotten that accountability is also an expression of love. So here’s my invitation — especially to those of us who lead or serve in any visible or invisible way: Let’s not treat Sundays as optional. Let’s not underestimate the value of simply being present. Even when we’re not “on stage,” we are still being watched, still influencing, still helping build the culture of our church. Let’s keep the conversation open.
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AuthorKaran Thomas is the lead pastor of the New Bridge Community Church. He also serves the global body of Christ through his expertise in project management Archives
July 2025
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