Lead With Courage
Session 4
Introduction
Every leader eventually faces moments that test their courage. Ministry isn’t always easy. People misunderstand you. Volunteers quit. Budgets run tight. Criticism comes. Sometimes you pour yourself out, and it feels like no one notices. Other times, the very people you serve resist the changes you know are necessary.
Courage is not the absence of fear — it’s choosing to do the right thing even when fear is present. Nehemiah understood this. He faced enemies on the outside and discouragement on the inside. The wall project was threatened from every direction. And in Nehemiah 4:14, he rallied the people with this charge:
“Don’t be afraid. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families.”
As ministry leaders, you may not be rebuilding a physical wall, but you are building spiritual walls — raising up kids in the faith, protecting teenagers from the lies of the enemy, creating atmospheres of worship, stewarding resources faithfully, and shepherding people toward Jesus. And it will take courage.
Here’s the guiding principle for this session: Courageous leadership isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to trust God more than the obstacles you face.
1. Expect Opposition
How’s that for a word of encouragement?
But it’s true: if you are leading in ministry, opposition will come.
One of the quickest ways to lose heart is to believe the lie that opposition means you’re failing. In reality, opposition is often confirmation that you’re making progress.
This week reminds of that fact — as we witnessed Charlie Kirk murdered because of his proclamation of truth in the midst of a broken world. His opposition was not because of failure — but because of his faithfulness.
Nehemiah knew this. As he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem — he faced enemies from outside and discouragement from inside.
You’ll recall, it was Sanballat who mocked him. And Tobiah who threatened him.
There were plots that were formed against him. And yet, Nehemiah was not surprised. He expected it. And, he was prepared for it.
The same is true for you!
If you’re doing anything that matters for the Kingdom of God, you will face resistance. Jesus warned us in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Courage doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges — it means you will refuse to let them stop you!
In ministry leadership, opposition shows up in different ways:
- In kids ministry — it may be parents who question your methods or resist your passion to disciple their children.
- In youth ministry — it might be spiritual pushback when students start to take bold steps of faith.
- In worship — it could be complaints about style, song selection, or volume, even when your heart is set on honoring God.
- In administration or council roles — it may look like tension over finances, calendar priorities, or hard decisions that not everyone agrees with.
- In media and tech — it might be frustration when things don’t go smoothly and people only notice when something goes wrong.
When you face pushback in ministry, you’re in good company! So, take courage!
Even some of the greatest leaders faced opposition.
Billy Graham, for example. When he first began holding crusades, not everyone was cheering him on. He was criticized by church leaders who thought his methods were too bold. He was questioned by skeptics who doubted his sincerity. He was dismissed by the press who said he wouldn’t last.
But Graham didn’t stop. He expected opposition. He kept his focus on the gospel. And because he stayed faithful in the face of resistance, God used him to reach millions for Christ.
His story reminds us to say focused and stay courageous.
REMEMBER: Resistance may mean you’re right where God wants you!
So, if you’re facing it now — lean into God’s strength and keep moving forward.
Nehemiah reminds us,“Don’t be afraid. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families” (Nehemiah 4:14). That’s a call of courageous leadership: don’t let opposition lead you to quit, allow it to embolden you to trust God more!
2. Stay Focused on the Mission
One of the best ways to do this is to stay focused on the mission.
When opposition comes, the temptation is to get distracted — to fight battles that don’t matter, to get lost in criticism, or to let discouragement slow us down. But courageous leaders stay focused on what God called them to do.
Nehemiah is a perfect example. His enemies tried everything to pull him off task. They mocked him. They threatened him. They spread lies about him. Eventually, they even invited him to “meetings” designed to waste his time and wear him out.
But in chapter 6 — Nehemiah answered with one of the boldest leadership statements in the Bible:
“I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3).
That’s the spirit every ministry leader needs! When distractions come, when critics whisper, when discouragement knocks at your door, you can declare:
“I’m doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”
Here’s why this matters:
- Distractions dilute the vision. If the enemy can’t destroy you, he’ll try to distract you.
- Criticism steals the energy. Every ounce you spend defending yourself is an ounce you’re not using to advance God’s mission.
- Discouragement slows the momentum. When you take your eyes off the mission, you start losing heart for the work.
But staying focused means remembering why you started and who you’re serving.
It’s not about pleasing everyone.
It’s not about winning every argument.
It’s about keeping your eyes on Jesus and your hands on the work He gave you.
Alright, one more:
3. Lead with Boldness
Bold leadership doesn’t mean you never feel fear — it means you don’t let fear have the final word.
Boldness is not a personality trait; it’s a spiritual posture. It’s leading with conviction because you’re anchored in who God is, not in how strong you feel.
That’s what Nehemiah modeled. When his people were surrounded by enemies, he didn’t tell them, “We’re tough enough to handle this.”
Instead, he told them, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome” (Nehemiah 4:14).
His boldness wasn’t rooted in human ability but in God’s greatness.
Joshua’s story echoes the same truth.
On the edge of the Promised Land, God didn’t say, “Joshua, you’re the strongest warrior in Israel.” Instead, He said,
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Joshua’s boldness didn’t come from what he carried, but from Who carried him!
That’s the foundation of bold leadership today:
- Boldness is stepping into new territory — not because it’s easy, but because God has called you there.
- Boldness is speaking truth in love — even when it would be easier to stay silent.
- Boldness is leading change — when it would be safer to maintain the status quo.
- Boldness is persevering — when you feel unseen, knowing God sees and sustains you.
POWERPOINT: “Boldness is not self-confidence — it’s God-confidence lived out loud.”
Or, as John Wayne famously put it: “Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.”
For ministry leaders, that means: acknowledging your fears, your inadequacy, your limitations — but saddling up anyway because you know God has called you!
And if He has called you, He will go with you.
Closing Challenge
Let me ask you today:
What’s testing your courage right now? Is it a lack of volunteers? A conflict on your team? A discouraging season where you wonder if what you do really matters?
Whatever it is, hear Nehemiah’s charge: “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.”
And Leaders, even if your ministry feels small—know this, your obedience is significant. Your work may feel unseen, but it’s not unnoticed by God.
So remain faithful, and live courageously. Keep building the ministry, keep believing in God’s call, and keep fighting for the people God has entrusted to you.
— QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? —
Reflection / Table Talk (5–7 min)
- Where do you feel the most opposition in your ministry right now?
- What distractions tempt you to “come down from the wall”?
- How can you remind yourself — and your team — to “remember the Lord, who is great and awesome”?
Prayer (Closing 2–3 min)
“Lord, we confess that ministry can be hard. Sometimes we feel afraid, discouraged, or ready to give up. But today we choose courage. Not because we are strong, but because You are great and awesome. Help us to stay focused on the mission, to keep building, and to trust You with the results. In Jesus’ name, amen.”