I used to be somewhat “directionally challenged.” Over time, I’ve gotten much better at finding my way around, but that may be due to the availability of turn-by-turn directions from my phone. I remember being lost in a Little Rock neighborhood on one occasion. It was during my time as assistant to the president at Southern Arkansas University. We were preparing for a big social event to celebrate the university’s centennial anniversary. I knew where I was supposed to go. The venue even had a wayfinding sign posted at the I-630 exit, but I got turned around. I was lost. It took me a little while to work up the courage. I had to do what no man wants to do. I flagged down a letter carrier and asked for directions. As it turns out, all I had to do to find my destination (at least the back of it) was look to the left. I had arrived at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. 

Asking for help isn’t always easy, but it’s often necessary. It’s sometimes true for driving directions, but it’s always true for leadership. Solomon wrote that seeking the counsel of others was one way to ensure that our plans succeed (Prov. 15:22). Even the best leader cannot do everything or know everything on their own.

Looking back at my own experiences, I can think of two primary reasons ministry leaders (paid or volunteer) need to ask for help.

1. Asking for help reminds us that it’s not just about us.

It can be tempting for any leader to make decisions based on their preferences or opinions, but that is not how Christian leaders ought to operate. Paul cautioned the Philippian believers to consider the “interests of others” instead of only looking out for themselves (Phil. 2:4). Following this command may mean we don’t always get our way, which can be a hard pill to swallow.^[1]

Seeking the interest of others is not necessarily about making everyone happy. (If you want to find this out for yourself, adjust the sanctuary thermostat based on the input you receive from a few people!) Seeking the interest of others is about showing how much we care about them. When people know their leader cares, they’ll be more likely to follow.

2. Asking for help aids in maintaining a spirit of unity.

“Do not be wise in your own opinion,” Paul wrote in Romans 12:16. That’s good advice for ministry leaders. When we walk around with an air of superiority, refusing to receive input from others within our ministry, we can push people away and isolate big groups of our coworkers. However, when we regularly seek the ideas of those around us, we draw people in, cultivating a spirit of unity.

Finally, consider that it doesn’t do any good to ask for help if you don’t use what you learn. However, ministry leaders must remember that not all counselors are created equal.^[2] All of the advice and counsel received from others must be viewed through the lens of Scripture as you seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit. 

There’s no telling how much longer I would have driven around Little Rock looking for the Governor’s Mansion had I not stopped to ask for directions. When you struggle to navigate the challenges of ministry leadership, stop and ask for directions. You’ll be glad you did.

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^[1] John MacArthur, Philippians, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2001), 115.

^[2] Henry Blackaby, and Richard Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2011), 225, Logos.