Articles: Building your Singles Ministry by Kris Swiatocho, Director

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I Hate Being a Leader 

by Kris Swiatocho, Director of The Singles Network Ministries
Well, not really, but there are days when being a leader is tough. You hope you are making a difference in the lives of others. But often, you can feel like a failure more than a success. See below for the top 10 suggestions to encourage as you lead others.

  1. Staying in God’s word, remembering His truths. The enemy loves to tear us down and defeat us. He wants all leaders to quit. Keeping this in mind will help when he attacks by being more prepared.

  2. Stay focused on the main thing. We can often get distracted by minor things that do not matter in the end. When you look at your ministry or business, what is most important? Where does your focus need to be? Table other things that are not as important to deal with later.

  3. We are leading people. Not just a program, a company, and/or a ministry. Events, Bible studies, conferences, and social events come and go, but the people remain. Don’t allow the “event” to become more important than the person.

  4. Spend time with your folks on a personal level. Group emails and texts are great, but there must also be time for them to talk one-on-one. No one cares how much you know versus how much you care.

  5. Stay or get organized. The more you are organized, the better everything goes. The better or more consistent your communication, the better your team will function. This also allows you more time to spend one-on-one.

  6. Stop comparing your team to others. Every team will be different. Yes, there are some general similarities in that you should be meeting regularly, offering training, encouraging, and supporting; however, because your team is made up of individuals, depending on who they are, your ultimate goals will vary team.  

  7. Evaluate often. Take time here and there, and ensure you work towards the same goal. Value your team by talking to them about how things are going, your leadership, their expectations, and if there need to be any changes.

  8. Allow your team members to change positions, rotate off, and/or take a break. While we all love having a solid team that we can rely on, life happens. By communicating regularly, letting your folks know they are what is essential, and having more than one person leading different areas, you are preparing for changes and protecting the team.  

  9. Make sure folks stay in their lanes. While we may have to do more than one job on our team, the goal would be to ensure we remain in the calling and position we are called into. There will always be folks who want to dominate and control others. Likewise, there are going to be folks who do and say little. However, finding a place of balance is the goal.

  10. Admit when you are wrong. If the project, event, Bible study, or activity didn’t work, it’s OK. Learn from your mistakes and do it better the next time. Admitting first to your failure opens the door for others to own up to their part. Remember, we all have room in our lives to grow. Having a teachable attitude is essential for this to happen.  

Hebrews 13:7  Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
 
Kris Swiatocho is in full-time ministry focusing on single adults. She is the author of 7 books including: Intentional Relationships for Singles. For more information, www.TheSinglesNetwork.org Ministries and/or www.KrisSwiatochoMinistries.org
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Leaders That Last Curriculum

• Leaders that Last is 6 weeks, 6 topics Curriculum: 
The first 3 weeks that are inward focus towards personal development and last 3 weeks that are outward focus towards building and unifying the team.

• Leaders that Last Curriculum includes:
 A trainers guide with additional questions, icebreaker ideas, small group discussion, and weekly assignments, etc. plus participants outline.

• Leaders that Last Curriculum is a:
Microsoft word document so you can alter to fit your specific group whether young adult, single adult or single parent, divorced or widowed.

WEEKLY TOPICS:
Week 1: Who You Are in Christ
Week 2: Affirming Your Calling as a Leader
Week 3: Spiritual Warfare
Week 4: Mentoring/Finding others with a Similar Calling
Week 5: Building the Team
Week 6: Caring for the Team.

Week 1: Who Am I?
Description: Everything starts and ends with a great team but a team starts with a great leader. A great leader should know who they are in Christ first in order to lead others. This leader also should have a personal, growing relationship with Christ. This lesson will focus on your identity, your personal growth in your faith, and your walk with the Lord.
 
Week 2: Who Ya Going to Call?
Description: Learning and affirming your calling to be a leader. Most maturing Christians are serving the Lord but often in the wrong area, this lesson will help you focus on the right area God is calling you into.
 
Week 3: The Devil Made Me Do It!
Description: This lesson focuses on how to recognize the enemy’s attacks on you, your team, and your ministry, and what to do when it does happen.

Week 4: Making Copies!
Description: This lesson focuses on the importance of recognizing potential leaders by starting with those who are voluntold versus volunteers.

Week 5: There’s No “I” in Team
Description: Everything falls and rises on leadership. Without a great team that is unified in the path to reach the goals God has put in place, leadership will fail. This lesson will focus on how to build a team that builds the ministry.
 
Week 6: Are You a Care Bear?
Description: This lesson focuses on how to keep our team, our leaders, and, ultimately, our ministry going and growing.

Christian Leadership Styles

COG National Conference, Orlando, Fl

Leadership Snippit

Leadership Articles by Kris Swiatocho

Additional resources by Kris and other authors, click here. 
Kris holds a singles retreat every September up in the mountains and I’ve attended the last 8 years. The 3rd year, Sept 2017 I came for the leadership portion of the meeting and was inspired by the teaching, many years of experience working with singles, messages shared, stories from other church leaders and resources galore at the meeting and on the website. I left that weekend fired up and it sparked me to start a singles focused bible study at our church which has been running a year now and doing great... I have so many stories I could share... many new visitors/members... connecting with singles in the church that weren’t plugged in.. networking with other Christian groups and churches... things just continue to spiral... we held a singles NYE celebration a few weeks ago. The owner of The Barn Dance (non-alcoholic club) that some of us go to often came. His club was only open on sat night BUT... he was inspired by the number we had at our dance and the amazing community... he had no idea that singles have that much of a need/want to be together. SO tonight he hosted his first Christian Singles Dance Party at The Barn Dance and it was a big hit. Planning to do a monthly dance there.—opening with prayer and ending with praise songs and prayer. I can’t wait to see what God has for us in 2024. Also very excited about this years Singles Retreat! Find info on thesinglesnetwork.org and come join us Thanks Kris for all you do... for your heart for God and singles.
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—Lisa Young, Lawndale Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC