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The leadership path I relate to most from the character studies in our
reading is Joshua. Joshua had the opportunity to apprentice under Moses,
where he learned how to lead the people and continue to follow God. I had
the opportunity in High School to be mentored by my youth pastor, and then
in college, I was mentored by some great pastors while doing my internships.
Just as those early experiences were formative for Joshua, my ministry
philosophy and foundations were formed during my apprenticeships under
some great leaders. The opportunities Joshua was given to display his
military prowess and leadership in the early stages helped him be ready to
lead when Moses died.1 Similarly, while in High School, I was given
opportunities to demonstrate different leadership skills and teaching abilities
by leading small groups at church. These skills were refined even in
opportunities to grow as a leader in my internships. These opportunities in
the early stages of my leadership development helped me have the
confidence to lead when I was offered a job as a full-time youth pastor.
There are several ways I imitate Joshua. The first is standing up for God
and God’s calling. When Joshua returned from spying out the land of Canaan,
he affirmed God’s promise that God would be with the Israelites and help
them drive out the inhabitants.2 Even though he faced harassment and
pushback, he stood up for God and followed Him wholeheartedly. When I first
felt God calling me into vocational ministry, I experienced some harassment
1 Don N. Howell, Jr., Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership (Eugene, OR: Wipf and
Stock Publishers, 2003), 39.
2 Ibid., 40.
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and pushback from both unbelievers and other people I was close with. This
pushback was not related to any character concerns about me but was
focused on worldly concerns and a lack of trust in God. But like Joshua, I
depended on God, trusted His promises, and stood firm on my convictions
amid pushback that demonstrated a lack of faith in God and His promises. By
continuing to stand firm and trust in God, I’ve been able to step out in faith
and see Him work in some miraculous ways, just like Joshua did in the
conquest of Canaan. In the conquests of Jericho, Ai, and many other cities,
Joshua got to witness God getting the glory through some unique strategies.
I have seen God work powerfully through me in the lives of students in ways I
could never have imagined, and I’ve seen Him work through situations that
don’t make sense apart from Him.
Another way I imitate Joshua’s is prayerful dependence on God.3 Joshua
learned from Moses the importance of relying on God and needing to be in
His presence. From the beginning of my time leading a ministry, I’ve
recognized my need to always depend on Him. I cannot grow His Kingdom
apart from Him, just as Joshua could not lead the people without God. One
thing I have learned to be true, as Dr. Nimitz said in our class presentation,
“You can’t lead people in spiritual growth and spiritual things if you yourself
are not following God in your spiritual leadership of yourself.”4
3 Howell, Servants of the Servant, 46
4 Dave Nimitz, “Proverbial Leadership” (video lecture in LEAD 510 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA,
Fall 2023) 05:58.
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One aspect of this dependence that I still need to add to my life is
more time in God’s presence. I see that happening in Joshua's life while he
was leading, and it is something I can struggle with at times. I make sure to
give glory to God and recognize every victory is His, but I know I could spend
more time in His presence like Joshua did with his leadership. Joshua made
decisions and strategized by seeking God’s face, and I need to do a better
job of doing that and relying on God for those leadership decisions. I tend to
have my spiritual life dependent on my ministry preparation instead of
earnestly seeking God personally and for my ministry.
Lastly, I imitate Joshua’s shepherding of the people. On multiple
occasions, Joshua led the people to reaffirm their covenant with God.5 He led
a challenging group of people into a continued relationship with God and
often reminded Israel of their commitment to Him. My role as a youth pastor
is similar and something I strive to do well. I am always focused on helping
students have a relationship with God under the new covenant and
reminding them of their new life in Jesus. Just as Joshua reminded the
Israelites several times of their covenant with God, I am often reminding the
students of God’s love for them and what their commitment to God needs to
look like. Joshua both shepherded the people and challenged them, and so
another thing I need to add to my life to emulate him is adding more direct
challenges to my students. I need to be even more bold in my leadership
approach and, when necessary, challenge them in their commitment to God.
5 Howell, Servants of the Servant, 43
