It’s hard to believe, but it’s officially that time of year. The holiday season is upon us! What was designed to be the most wonderful time of the year, celebrating the coming of our Savior, sometimes turns into the most complicated time of the year.

It is so easy to get bogged down in the lesser things: the busy, the overload of gifts, and the constant tug to meet the many expectations. So, let’s pause. Take a deep breath. And dive into leading well this holiday season.

Let us support you as you support the families you serve!

Children in tent in front of Christmas tree

5 Ways to Lead Well During the Holiday Season

1. Focus on people, not programs.

The holidays can be a heavily programmed time of year.

Depending on your church, you may not have much of a choice outside of driving the program during this season. But that doesn’t mean you have to put people second. In all your interactions, planning for the programs, and so on, always keep the needs and concerns of the people you’re serving top of mind.

Seek to invest in those involved, not just use them to fill a spot in the Christmas play.

And if you don’t have to focus on programs, find a fun way to love on your people, give them rest, or support them during this time. Spread love and joy and the good news of Jesus this holiday season.

Let’s pause. Take a deep breath. And dive into leading well this holiday season.

2. To lead well, keep your family above your ministry.

The demands of the season can be many. I hear it all the time:

  • “But I have to be at the church …”
  • “It’s my job …”
  • “The (insert program here) would fall apart without me …”

While each of those statements might be true, it can’t be the excuse for giving your family second best.

We can’t offer specific ideas on how to solve this issue except this: figure it out with your family. What is important to them? What are things you can do together? How can you bring them alongside you when you have other responsibilities?

What is important in your life gets your time and attention. Your relationship with God and your family should never be shadowed by your ministry—even in the chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas (and the New Year).

Christmas_Activities_thumb

Celebrate Advent with Ornaments and Coloring

Inside this download, you’ll find 25 illustrated ornaments celebrating each day of Advent and a Christmas coloring page!
Check it out
Christmas_Activities_thumb

Celebrate Advent with Ornaments and Coloring

Inside this download, you’ll find 25 illustrated ornaments celebrating each day of Advent and a Christmas coloring page!
Check it out
Christmas_Activities_thumb

Celebrate Advent with Ornaments and Coloring

Inside this download, you’ll find 25 illustrated ornaments celebrating each day of Advent and a Christmas coloring page!
Check it out

3. Don’t be a grinch. Bring joy to lead well this season!

Stress is real, and it hits most of us in waves this time of year. It’s a well-known fact that the holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year, and leading in ministry isn’t excluded.

It can really wear you down.

For most of us, getting worn out means we start fighting attitude problems, perspective problems, and peace problems. Be aware of this and what your “buttons” are. Stay focused on setting the tone with your attitude and not letting those buttons get pushed.

Being a grinch during the holidays will likely cost you some leadership influence in the New Year.

4. Be sure to celebrate the season personally.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are not only for the people in your church … they are for you!

It’s a time for thankfulness, reflection, and the wonderful celebration of our good and holy Savior coming to earth. It’s an opportunity for you to worship the King of Kings.

Be intentional about carving out opportunities to celebrate these truths personally. That might be making sure you get to the services with your family. It might mean you find some private worship time. It might mean taking a few minutes daily to walk through a holiday season devotional.

Your own personal celebration can take many different forms. Be intentional and celebrate!

Your relationship with God and your family should never be shadowed by your ministry, even in the chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

5. Capture momentum heading into the New Year.

The holidays can be an enormously profitable time in sharing a great vision for the future. Good leaders are always thinking beyond the present, and the holidays are no different.

Think through questions like:

  • How can you capture the joyful spirit and translate it into momentum in the New Year?
  • What relationships can you deepen that you can draw from after the holidays?
  • What spiritual investment can you make in the life of a parent or leader that you can continue beyond the season?
  • How can you maximize the giving spirit to encourage people in making a tangible investment in the vision of your ministry?

Leaders find a way to not only enjoy the season, but also use it to influence the future. Take time to do that!

In all these things, look to God to fill your cup as only He can. He will help you lead well this holiday season. Trust that He will fill you, and overflow in you so that you can love others well, even in the middle of a stressful, overloaded season.

Amazing Ideas for the Holidays