11 Ministry Priorities to Lead Us Forward … Action Focused Leadership pt5
As we continue our 11 Ministry Priorities to Lead Us Forward series, we are unpacking what it means to lead in a way that is both intentional and impactful by exploring five Ministry Priorities grouped under the broad banner of Action-Focused Leadership:
Priority #4 … A Connected Team … We lead best when we lead as part of a connected team. Such a team is not simply about sharing the workload; it is built on the diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences that each member brings to the table.
Priority #5 … Excessively Accessible … Following the example of Jesus, we need to be leaders who are approachable and responsive, serving others, bearing burdens, showing hospitality, providing encouragement and support, and meeting practical needs.
Priority #6 … Informed to Encourage Action … Sharing clear, timely, and purposeful information, while staying informed ourselves, ensures that those we lead are equipped, confident, and ready to act with clarity and purpose.
Priority #7 … Consultative but Decisive … Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating an environment where the right answers can emerge and having the courage to act when they do.
Priority #8 … Strong Support Structures
This week, as we conclude this set of five priorities focused on Action-Focused Leadership, we turn our attention to another vital priority that we need to hold close: STRONG SUPPORT STRUCTURES.
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“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
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Everyone Needs to Know Who’s Who in the Zoo
One of the quickest ways confusion can grow in any organisation is when people do not know where to turn for help.
We’ve all experienced it. A leader has a question, a parent raises a concern, a boy needs support, or an issue arises that requires guidance. Often, the first challenge is not solving the problem. The first challenge is knowing who to talk to.
Strong teams intentionally create clarity around roles, responsibilities, and support pathways.
When leaders know who’s who, confidence increases. Questions are answered more quickly. Problems are addressed earlier. Opportunities are identified sooner.
Clarity creates confidence.
As leaders, we should be asking ourselves:
- Do my leaders know who they can contact for support?
- Do our parents know who to approach with questions or concerns?
- Do our boys know which trusted adults are available to help them?
- Do I know where to turn when I need assistance?
Strong support structures begin with clear, visible, and well-understood pathways. When everyone knows where support can be found, people are empowered to act with confidence, knowing they are never alone in carrying the responsibilities of ministry.
Who Do I See When…?
A healthy support structure answers the question, “Who do I see when…?” before it is ever asked.
- Who do I see when I need advice?
- Who do I see when a safeguarding concern arises?
- Who do I see when our Company is struggling?
- Who do I see when I need help planning an event?
- Who do I see when conflict emerges within a team?
- Who do I see when I simply need encouragement?
The strongest organisations are not those without problems. They are the ones where people know exactly where to turn when problems arise.
Too often, leaders struggle alone because they assume they should have all the answers. They carry burdens that were never intended to be carried by one person. Over time, exhaustion replaces effectiveness, and isolation begins to undermine influence.
Good support structures remove this pressure. They provide guidance, encouragement, accountability, and practical assistance when it is needed most. They remind us that leadership is not an individual sport; it is a team effort.
Strong leaders are not those who never need help. Strong leaders know when to seek help, where to find it, and have the humility to ask for it.
Give Everyone Someone to Walk With Them
Perhaps the greatest strength of any support structure is not found in organisational charts or reporting lines. It is found in relationships.
Every leader needs someone to walk alongside them.
Every new Officer needs an experienced leader who can guide and encourage them.
Every young person benefits from trusted adults who provide support, wisdom, and care.
Every Company benefits from connections beyond its own walls.
Every Battalion is strengthened when Companies support one another.
No one was designed to lead alone.
Some of the most significant growth we experience as leaders comes through intentional relationships. A conversation after Company night. A phone call during a difficult season. A coffee with a mentor. A prayer from a trusted friend. A word of wisdom from someone who has walked the road before.
These moments often matter far more than we realise. They provide perspective when we feel overwhelmed, encouragement when we feel discouraged, and strength when we feel weary.
At their best, support structures create an environment where people feel known, supported, encouraged, and equipped. They foster connection, build resilience, and strengthen confidence. Most importantly, they ensure that when challenges come, nobody has to face them alone.
BB was never intended to operate independently of the local church. It has always been, and will always be, a ministry of the Church. A healthy relationship between a Company and its Parent Church provides support, accountability, encouragement, and a shared sense of mission.
NEVER FORGET YOUR CLOSEST SUPPORT … YOUR CHURCH
Strong church relationships do not happen by accident. They must be intentionally built and nurtured. Church leaders cannot support what they do not understand, and BB leaders cannot benefit from support if they remain disconnected from church life.
Strong partnerships are built when:
- BB leaders keep church leaders informed
- Church leaders are welcomed into the life of the Company
- Boys are encouraged to connect with the wider church community
- Successes and challenges are shared openly
- Both groups see themselves as partners in the same mission
When a Company and Parent Church are aligned, everyone benefits. Leaders receive spiritual support and accountability, families become more connected to church life, and boys see faith modelled across generations.
Like any support structure, this partnership must be more than a name on paper. It should be visible, active, and regularly nurtured.
At their best, a thriving Company and a thriving Church walk side by side, united in helping young people know and follow Jesus.
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SO, WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE THIS WEEK?
As you lead, take a moment to reflect:
Who are the people currently supporting me in my leadership journey?
Is there someone in my Company who would benefit from a mentor, coach, or encourager?
Do those around me clearly know where to turn when challenges arise?
What practical step can I take this week to strengthen the support structures within my area of ministry?
Leadership is challenging, but it was never intended to be lonely.
Having strong support structures is about more than having systems in place. It’s about creating a culture where people are connected, supported, and equipped to thrive
When we do this well, leaders are strengthened, boys are supported, and ministry flourishes.
Strong support structures ensure that nobody walks alone, and when nobody walks alone, everyone is better positioned to thrive.
Reflection Questions:
What’s ONE support relationship I need to strengthen in my own leadership?
What’s ONE practical step I can take to ensure someone I lead knows they don’t have to walk alone?
Let’s continue to exercise action focused leadership!
JASON KNIGHT
President, The Boys’ Brigade Queensland