Glow Church UK Podcast

Leading at Glow - Episode 4: Leading in Your Context

Glow Church UK

Equips leaders to own their space and lead with intentionality, no matter their context. Emphasises spiritual ownership, developing people, and setting atmosphere, not just running tasks.

SPEAKER_00:

Episode four, leading in your context. Welcome back to Leading at Glow. We've already talked about what leadership is, the culture we carry, and how our character matters more than our charisma. Today's focus is all about where you lead, the context you're planted in. Because leadership isn't one-size-fits-all. Whether you lead on Sundays, in a connect group, in a ministry, or behind the scenes, your context matters, and so does how you show up in it. Let's start here. There is no such thing as a small role in the kingdom. At GLOW, we believe every act of service has spiritual significance. Parking cars, running production, setting out chairs, leading in GLOW kids, leading worship, preaching the word. All of it creates space for someone to encounter Jesus. Colossians 3.23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for people. Your context might be practical, but it's still powerful. You don't need a platform to make a difference. The way you prepare, host, speak, encourage and follow through, it all creates spiritual impact. So don't wait to be promoted. Lead right where you are. Part two, own your space. Don't just occupy it. Let's talk about ownership. There's a massive difference between someone who shows up and someone who takes ownership. One fills a spot, the other shapes a culture. So here's the question. Are you occupying space or owning it? When you own your context, you arrive prepared, not passive. Think ahead, not just react. Fill gaps before being asked. Ask, how can I bring life here instead of What's the minimum? This applies to every space. If you're leading a connect group, do people feel pastored, pursued and challenged? If you lead a team on Sundays, do your team members feel valued, stretched and spiritually covered? You set the tone, even if you're not the loudest voice. Spiritual authority isn't about position, it's about posture. Part three, don't just do tasks. Build people. Your context is not just a job list. It's a place to develop people, not just deliver outcomes. Whether you realise it or not, people are watching how you lead. Do you delegate or do it all yourself? Do you encourage or just correct? Are you raising others or just running a rota? Jesus wasn't in a hurry. He walked with people, invested in them, gave away responsibility even when they got it wrong. At Glow, we want to multiply leaders, not just manage volunteers. So look around your context. Who could you raise up, release or disciple right where you are? Part four. Build atmosphere, not just efficiency. Lastly. Leaders don't just get things done. They build atmosphere. The best leaders create spaces where people feel safe and seen. Faith rises even when things are messy. There's joy, not just pressure. People grow, not just function. Psalm 100 says, enter his gates with thanksgiving. Gratitude sets the spiritual atmosphere. So does expectation. So does prayer. So ask yourself, What does my space feel like when I'm leading it? What's the spiritual tone I'm setting before anyone picks up a mic or opens a Bible? You are the thermostat, not the thermometer. You don't just report the temperature, you help set it. Reflections and next steps. So here's your reflection for this week. What space are you responsible for at GLOW? And how are you leading it spiritually, not just functionally? What could shift if you brought more ownership, prayer and intentionality to that space? Leadership isn't about having a bigger platform. It's about being faithful in the space God has already given you. Thanks for leaning in. I'll see you in episode five, where we'll finish the course with a conversation about authority, accountability and communication.