As a leader, you have a responsibility to not only manage your organization but also to minister to those within it.
Your employees are not just resources or assets but individuals with unique experiences, perspectives, and needs. To lead with empathy and understanding, learning from the one-on-one ministry of Jesus Christ is essential.
In the New Testament, there are several instances where Jesus spoke to or ministered to someone one-on-one. Here are a few examples:
Nicodemus
In John 3, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus at night to inquire about his teachings. Jesus spoke to him alone and explained the concept of being born again.
The Samaritan Woman
In John 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well and spoke to her alone about living water and eternal life.
The Blind Man
In John 9, Jesus healed a man who was born blind and then spoke to him alone about his faith and identity.
The Woman Caught in Adultery
In John 8, Jesus defended a woman caught in adultery and spoke to her alone, telling her to go and sin no more.
Martha
In Luke 10, Jesus went to the home of Martha and Mary. Martha was busy preparing while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to him. Finally, Jesus spoke to Martha alone and gently corrected her for being too worried and anxious.
Zacchaeus
In Luke 19, Jesus met Zacchaeus, a tax collector, and spoke to him alone, inviting himself to Zacchaeus’ house and announcing that salvation had come to his home.
Jesus’ One-One-One Ministry
Jesus’ ministry was characterized by his love, compassion, and the desire to build personal relationships with individuals. He met people where they were, showed them grace, offered guidance and teaching, and valued personal relationships. Here are some key takeaways from his one-on-one ministry that can guide your leadership in your organization:
1. Meet people where they are
Jesus met Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the blind man, Martha, and Zacchaeus where they were, and you should do the same with your team members. Take the time to understand their unique circumstances and perspectives. This requires empathy, active listening, and the ability to put yourself in their shoes. You can accomplish this by setting aside time for one-on-one conversations, asking open-ended questions, and avoiding assumptions or judgments.
2. Show grace and compassion
Jesus showed grace and compassion to those he encountered, regardless of their past or present circumstances. As a leader, you can do the same by creating a safe and inclusive environment that encourages vulnerability and honesty. Be open-minded and non-judgmental, and offer support and encouragement when needed. You can also recognize and appreciate the strengths and contributions of your team members and provide opportunities for growth and development.
3. Offer guidance and teaching
Jesus provided guidance and teaching to help individuals grow in their faith and understanding of God. Similarly, you can provide guidance and teaching to help your team members develop their skills and achieve their goals. Be a mentor and coach, and offer feedback and constructive criticism. You can also provide training, resources, and tools to help them succeed in their roles.
4. Value personal relationships
Jesus valued personal relationships and one-on-one interactions with individuals. He spent time with people, listened to them, and built relationships that would last long beyond the encounter. As a leader, you can value personal relationships by investing time in your team members, getting to know them personally, and showing an interest in their lives beyond work. This creates a sense of belonging and fosters a supportive and positive culture.
Following Jesus’ example of one-on-one ministry, you can lead your organization with grace and compassion, creating a culture of empathy and understanding. As a result, your team members will feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their goals, leading to greater productivity, innovation, and success. Remember, leadership is not just about managing tasks and processes, but also about ministering to the needs of those within your organization.
Discussion Questions
These questions can serve as a valuable framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.
- Can you think of a time when you met a team member where they were and engaged with them on a personal level? How did it impact their work and relationship with you?
- In what ways can you create a safe and inclusive environment that encourages vulnerability and honesty among your team members? What steps can you take to ensure they feel valued and supported?
- How can you provide guidance and teaching to help your team members develop their skills and achieve their goals? What resources and tools can you offer to help them succeed in their roles?
- What are some ways you can value personal relationships and one-on-one interactions with your team members? How can you invest time in getting to know them on a personal level and showing an interest in their lives beyond work?
- How can you lead your organization with grace and compassion, creating a culture of empathy and understanding? How will this impact your team’s productivity, innovation, and success
More Articles
I have written several articles on interpersonal relationships. You can find them by typing “Interpersonal Relationships” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.
- #453: Would You Like to Transform Your Work Group Into A Thriving Team?
- #451: Is Loneliness Costing Your Business in More Ways Than You Realize?
- #425: Is Expressing Your Faith in the Workplace a High-Wire Balancing Act?
- #328: Our Employees Need Doctors More Than Judges!
- #310: From A Somebody To A Nobody and Back Again
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you had an opportunity to minister to someone in your organization one-on-one? What was the result?
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Category: Relationships | Interpersonal Relationships
Meeting people where they are is a good reminder. So often people come to us with an agenda. So it’s refreshing when someone simply meets you where you are, particularly if it’s during a difficult time, and just listens.
Leaders are used to being confronted with problems and they know people expect them to provide solutions/fix the problem. But people aren’t the same as a business problem that needs to be “fixed.” With people, often the best solution is just to be present with someone. As you say, listen! Unfortunately, listening is fast becoming a lost art.