I remember starting out as a youth leader when I was 17 (before the time of child protection when you didn’t need an over 18!) with Cheryl who was 16 not having had much training but having just observed and learnt from others. We learnt and chatted together about what it meant to be youth leaders. We made mistakes but enjoyed the journey and process of learning on the job. God graciously worked through the two of us in that time. Over the years I have received different types of leadership training some once off courses, others have been weekends away and conferences. In each of those I have learnt new things about God and his love for people, learnt things about myself and also learnt things about what it means to be a leader.

When I started working in Urban Junction 15 years ago I had some knowledge about leading but after a while I felt out of my depth, knowing that there was so much more to learn. I found out about the Irish Bible Institute and enrolled in what I thought was a year of studying and learning, seven years later I left with a degree! (it really shouldn’t have taken that long). It was a great environment for learning. Over the years since then I’ve learnt from conferences, training, from observing leaders older and younger than me, reading but whatever it has been I am still convinced that we should always be learners. Learning about our God, learning about people and culture today, learning what it really means to follow Jesus personally and into the world. I am excited about the Leadership Training Course this year (//ignitenetwork.ie/training/) – I’m hoping it will be an easily accessible high quality leadership training. I’m excited about learning more, excited about learning with and alongside others, excited about being challenged to follow Jesus more each day. Throughout the course we will learn practical leadership skills, ways to lead and care for others but fundamentally I pray that we will learn to love and follow Jesus more. Take the time to invest in your leadership, for the sake of the Kingdom.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”. – John 15:4

Author

Simon

Simon works with leaders at Ignite and Praxis and is passionate about seeing ordinary people follow jesus and be empowered to serve him in the world. The thoughts and views expressed in this are his own.