Author’s Note:
This letter was originally written for one of my School of Discipleship students as he stepped into the early, uncertain days of ministry leadership.
But the more I’ve sat with it, the more I’ve realized it belongs to anyone who finds themselves standing on the threshold of service, feeling both the weight and the wonder of being called by Christ.
So I’m sharing it here for a broader audience, in the hope that these words might steady the feet of any young disciple taking their first brave steps into the work of Kingdom service. Leadership begins quietly, sometimes almost shyly, and often with more trembling than triumph. If that’s where you find yourself today, I pray this meets you with courage and clarity for the road ahead.
My dear young friend:
It is no small thing to step into the role of leadership in the kingdom of God! As Obi Wan Kenobi once said, you are taking your first step into a wider world.
You are taking on responsibilities both within the local church and in other places, and I commend you for your willingness to serve!
There is a quiet courage in choosing to lead, not for the sake of recognition, but out of a heart that desires to build up God’s people and serve where you are called. I am grateful to see you embrace this call with both humility and dedication.
I am also deeply encouraged to hear of the victories you’ve experienced in your own battles. You’ve faced down struggles that many would prefer to hide or ignore, and you’ve come through them stronger and wiser with a willingness to openly share with others what God has done in your life!
But here is where I must issue a word of warning: these very areas of victory are often the ones that the enemy loves to target most fiercely.
The devil, being the military strategist that he is, knows that the places where you have found freedom are the places where he ought to strike with renewed force.
Stepping into leadership, dedicating your life to the service of the Lord, inevitably puts a target on your back.
When you choose to serve, you become a threat to the kingdom of darkness. The enemy sees the potential you have to build up God’s kingdom and to tear down his own, and he does not sit idly by.
This is not a reason to fear, but it is a reason to stay vigilant. Remember, the enemy does not attack where there is no threat. So take this as both a warning and a compliment: the opposition you face is evidence that you are moving in the right direction!
Living With God, Not Just For Him
In your journey of leadership and service, I want to share a word of insight from a book that profoundly impacted me: With by Skye Jethani. I highly recommend it.
In it, Jethani describes several ways people often relate to God: some live under God, others over Him, some from Him, and others for Him. I have a suspicion, dear disciple, that you might share my own struggle in this area : living for God.
You may ask… isn’t living for God a good thing? Certainly! However, as Jethani points out in his book, God created us not just to accomplish tasks for Him, but to live life together with Him!
You see, there is a temptation in leadership to find our identity and our worth in what we do for God rather than who we are in Him.
I know this struggle all too well. It’s all too easy to feel closest to God after I’ve done something for Him — when I’ve preached a sermon, completed a ministry project, or served someone in need.
But here is the painful truth I’ve come to learn: I often find it hard to simply rest in the knowledge that I am His son. My heart seems conditioned to believe that my value lies in my service, not in my sonship.
But this is not the way of the kingdom. The heart of God is not moved by our service; it is moved by His relationship with us.
You are a chosen son of God, and His love for you does not waver based on what you do or do not accomplish. Yes, God delights in seeing you serve Him faithfully. He takes joy in your obedience and your dedication.
But His pride in you is not rooted in your actions; it is rooted in your belonging.
The Heart of a Father For You
I think of my own son, Jack, who is only four years old at this time! As his dad, I am delighted when he is kind to his mom, or when he helps clean up his toys. These are good things, and they bring me joy.
But my love for him does not increase when he is behaving well, nor does it diminish when he is having a rough day and acting out like a little tornado.
I love him just as much when he is throwing a temper tantrum as when he is showing kindness. I love him when he is sleeping, when he is playing in the dirt, or even when he is simply sitting quietly watching cartoons.
My love for him is not based on his service to me; it is based on my relationship with him.
In the same way, dear young disciple, God’s love for you is not contingent upon your service. He loves you when you are pouring yourself out in ministry, but He loves you just as much when you are resting, when you are tending to your daily tasks, or when you are simply existing in His presence.
His pride in you is not a reward for your accomplishments; it is a reflection of His heart as your Father.
As you step into leadership, I hope and pray that you continue to discover this truth … a truth that I myself am still growing in.
Let your service be an outflow of your relationship with God, not a substitute for it. And remember that even if all your efforts seem small, and even if your victories feel fragile, they are precious in His sight because they are the fruit of a life that belongs to Him.
So walk forward with confidence, knowing that you are not defined by what you do, but by who you are: a beloved son of the King.
Serve faithfully, yes, but never forget to rest in His love.
It is in that rest that you will find the strength to endure whatever challenges come your way.
Yours in the Journey of Sonship,
Aaron
Sermon On The Mount Meditation:
After reading the letter, I want you to meditate on Matthew 6:26:
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
In your journey of stepping into leadership and service, remember that your worth is not based on what you do, but on who you are to God : a beloved son.
Just as God cares for the smallest of creatures, He cares for you in every moment, whether you are serving faithfully or resting quietly.
Meditate on this verse and let it remind you of your Father’s constant and unchanging love.
JOIN THE MISSION OF GOODLION MINISTRIES
If this work has fed you, challenged you, or pushed you closer to Jesus, then I need your help!
I’m Aaron, a former long-time church staff pastor now doing ministry out in the wild. Since 2018, I’ve been building GoodLion Ministries to help young adults follow Jesus deeply in a post-modern, post-Christian age that pulls them in a thousand directions.
On Sunday evenings, I lead the GoodLion School of Discipleship, a multi-year formation program where young adults wrestle with Scripture, ask hard questions, and build a faith that can handle doubt and chaos. Through this work, I watch students move from confusion to clarity, from fear to faithfulness, from being spiritually adrift to knowing how to walk with Jesus in real life.
I also write here on Substack, mentor young leaders, and create resources for people who want substance over hype.
Our mission is simple: We believe in Jesus, the King who is not safe but is very good. We’re here for the doubters, the deconstructors, the burnt-out ministers, the church kids haunted by legalism, and anyone tired of shallow faith.
Here’s the reality: I’m bi-vocational. For years, I’ve supported my family through freelance work while building this ministry in every spare hour I can find. My goal is to transition to doing this work full time so I can expand the School, write more, travel to teach, raise up more leaders, and serve every single person who need what GoodLion offers.
This is my life’s work. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been helping Gen Z learn to think deeply, wrestle honestly, and follow Jesus in a world that tries to pull them apart.
If you believe this work matters, I invite you partner with me! This is not a side hustle for me. This is a mission. Even $10/month helps me teach more, write more, and disciple more young adults who genuinely need it.
👉 Support GoodLion Ministries Here
Thank you for walking with me.
– Aaron
Links
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🎓 GoodLion School of Discipleship
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