Introduction

Ministry is rarely linear. It is dynamic, unpredictable, relational, and deeply spiritual. Over the years, I have seen leaders burn out or burn others by staying in a single leadership posture, unwilling or unable to adjust to the people or challenges in front of them.

My leadership philosophy, born from personal ministry wounds and hard-earned clarity, is what I call Adaptive Positional Leadership. It is a model rooted in service, shaped by strategy, and committed to raising up healthy, whole-hearted leaders. It operates from three distinct positions:

• From the Front: offering protection and decisive direction when needed
• Alongside: collaborating to guide, develop, and build together in shared leadership
• From Behind: empowering others to lead while providing clarity, support, and vision

I developed this model from years of having to learn the hard way. I was shut down for asking questions, left to figure things out alone, and only received leadership when it served someone else's broader agenda. That experience created a deep conviction in me: I want the people I lead to feel safe, seen, and supported, and to be shaped into leaders who can do the same for others.

Framing Leadership Through the Golden Circle

I lead and build ministry using the lens of Simon Sinek's Golden Circle, a model that starts with Why, moves through How, and lands on What. This framework is not just strategic; it is deeply spiritual.

• Why: What is the purpose behind this ministry, this meeting, or this process? What is God doing here?
• How: What are the core principles or values that shape our approach?
• What: What practical steps are we taking to live this out?

Most leaders and organizations start from the outside and work in, focused on what they are doing and how to get it done. I believe effective, Spirit-led leadership must start from the inside out. In my leadership, this model informs how I teach, lead teams, build systems, and cast vision.

It also ties directly into my Adaptive Positional Leadership framework:

• When I lead from behind, I am guarding the why while empowering others to shape the how and what
• When I lead alongside, I help others clarify the how so we can reach the what together
• When I lead from the front, it is often because the how is breaking down or the why needs to be recast in a moment of uncertainty

Keeping the Why clear allows leadership to flex between positions without losing direction. It is how we protect culture, multiply leaders, and move forward without compromising identity.

The Framework

Leading from the Front: Modeling and Protecting

There are times when the church or a ministry needs clear direction. When safety is at stake or when the how is holding up the what, I take the lead. This might look like stepping in to cast fresh vision, making the hard decision when consensus stalls, or modeling a new practice when others are hesitant to move.

Example: When it became clear our student ministry was being limited by a combined Jr. High and High School structure, I led the charge to split the ministry. Some weren't ready, but I knew staying where we were would hold us all back. Sometimes, leadership means trailblazing.

Leading Alongside: Collaborating and Learning

Not every moment calls for bold direction or quiet support. Sometimes leadership means walking side-by-side. In this position, I engage others as partners in ministry, co-laboring through vision, strategy, and spiritual formation. Leading alongside creates space for mutual learning, shared ownership, and collective wisdom. It is where relationships and results grow together.

Example: I collaborated with a high school worship leader to train student teams to lead Jr. High worship while we developed an elevated worship experience for high schoolers. We navigated uncharted territory together, learning, adapting, and releasing leadership in real time.

Leading from Behind: Empowering and Supporting

This is my default stance. I empower others to lead, take initiative, and own the ministry with clarity. I provide the canvas, and they paint. My role is to coach, reinforce vision, and ensure alignment while letting them carry the leadership themselves.

Example: Across three ministries, I have intentionally stepped back to let others lead worship. In each case, I chose them because of their heart, capacity, and calling. I let them shape the team, lead the room, and model worship. The result? Students growing closer to God because they were led by someone empowered to be fully themselves.

Leadership in Action & Biblical Foundation

Adaptive Positional Leadership: Real-World Application

Leadership Position	Situation	Your Action	Result / Impact
From Behind	Students leading worship	Stepped back, empowered students and worship leaders to build, lead, and develop the team	Students grew as worshippers and leaders; culture of ownership and spiritual depth increased
Alongside	Splitting Jr. High and High School worship teams	Co-designed worship strategy with high school worship leader while empowering younger students	Successful launch of two unique worship environments; student leaders developed through shared process
From the Front	Need to separate Jr. High & High School ministries despite resistance	Cast vision, made the call, and led the shift when consensus wasn't there	Unlocked momentum in both ministries; alignment improved with age-appropriate focus and energy

Biblical Foundation

My model is rooted in Scripture and reflects the way Jesus led:

Jesus Led from the Front

"Let us go somewhere else to the nearby villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." – Mark 1:38

Jesus cast vision, moved with clarity, and led with authority when direction was needed.

Jesus Led Alongside

"He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?'" – Luke 24:17

He journeyed with others, asked questions, and revealed truth through relational dialogue.

Jesus Led from Behind

"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he sent them out." – Luke 9:1–2

Jesus trained, equipped, and then released leaders to walk in authority while he watched, supported, and coached from behind.

Final Reflection

Adaptive Positional Leadership allows me to lead in ways that are strategic, relational, and reproducible. It helps me shift my posture as needed while never losing sight of the mission or the people entrusted to my care.