Leading Like Jesus Led: A Guide to Leading Your Volunteers

Leading a volunteer team is much more than managing; it's a stewardship of people who are themselves shepherding young lives. In an environment full of challenges and the constant shifting of the culture, your leadership approach shapes not only your volunteers but ultimately the spiritual direction of the students they serve. Whether you lead staff, volunteers, or both, chances are you’ve seen many different models of leadership, but three biblical approaches form the foundation for Christ-centered leadership: leading with empathy, example, and equipping. 

 LEADING WITH EMPATHY 

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”  Romans 12:15

Ministry is personal. Every person on your team has a unique story. Their personality is full of past experiences, insecurities, and even trauma. The work of student ministry can be exhausting, right? It’s emotionally, spiritually, and physically taxing. As a leader, cultivating empathy allows you to see your team as human, not robots. When Jesus saw the crowds, “He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) The heart of Jesus was not transactional; it was relational. He saw people in their brokenness and moved toward them. Empathy builds a culture of trust. When your team knows they are seen and valued as people, not just for what they do, you’re building a safe environment of vulnerability and unity. For your team, empathy means:

• Listen actively. Don’t assume you know what’s going on. Try asking questions.
• Recognize potential burnout. Ministry can feel like you’re constantly pouring out. Help your team find healthy rhythms of rest. 
• Pray for and with them. Lift their burdens before God together. There's incredible power when leaders intercede on behalf of their team.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

Trust me, your team watches you closely. They notice how you handle conflict, how you prioritize your time, how you speak about others, and how you care for and lead yourself. Leadership by example is not optional; it’s inevitable. Paul’s leadership model shows us this. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9) Your example teaches your team what it means to be a Christ-like leader. Remember, your example will only be as healthy as you are healthy. So, lead yourself well. This means spiritually, physically, mentally, and so on. How are you doing in your walk with Christ? How well are you taking care of your body? How is your mental health? A few things to consider modeling in your leadership:

• Self-discipline. Be visibly committed to prayer, Scripture, and ongoing discipleship. If you long for your team to prioritize their walk with Jesus, let them see you prioritize yours.
• Humility. Be quick to own mistakes. Leaders who confess their faults demonstrate that leadership is about dependence on God, not personal perfection.
• Servant leadership. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. In the same way, you model what it means to serve.

LEADING BY EQUIPPING

“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:12

While empathy and example lay the foundation, equipping is how you help your team excel long-term. Your role isn’t to do all the ministry, but to empower others to step into their callings and lead. This means giving away responsibilities, not just tasks. It’s creating a culture of ownership. When you equip your team, you multiply ministry. Equipping your team may look like this:

• Providing vision and purpose. Your team needs to know where you’re going and why.
• Providing training and resources. Whether it’s leadership development, ministry skill-building, or spiritual growth, invest in your staff’s development. 
• Delegating responsibility. Trust your team to lead. Empowering your staff fosters ownership, growth, and confidence.

  Ultimately, the greatest leadership model to learn from is Jesus. He clearly led by empathy, example, and equipping. Your calling to lead your student ministry team is weighty, but you don’t lead alone. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus’ disciples empowers you today. Leading this way doesn’t guarantee that every challenge disappears, but it does create a healthy, God-honoring culture where your team can thrive.

  • Love your team deeply.
  • Model Christ consistently.
  • Empower them intentionally.

  In doing so, you not only lead them well, but you also point them toward Jesus, the ultimate Shepherd.

  Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

  1. Have you noticed signs of burnout in yourself or others recently? What did you do (or could do) in response?
  2. What spiritual disciplines are visibly present in your leadership rhythm? Where do you want to grow?

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