What an honor! Last Friday, I got a chance to see the type of legacy I want to leave. I saw the leader I want to be. Our church celebrated 20 years of leadership by one of the best men and leaders I’ve ever known. If I finish my days as half of the leader he is now, I will have lived and led well!

Legacy isn’t something I think about a ton. I’m still young and in youth ministry, with what seems like a lot of time and ministry in front of me. I do want to finish strong and leave a legacy of life change and leadership though. I want to lead and love in such a way that my impact carries on long after my ministry is over.

While I don’t think about legacy often, it’s a word that’s heavy on my mind right now. My family and I spent Friday at an event honoring our lead pastor Dr. Chris Stephens. Pastor Chris is truly the best man, pastor, and leader I know. I want to be that type of man. I want to be that type of leader. I want to leave that type of legacy!

What about you? I bet you want to leave a legacy like this too, one that will live on long after your ministry is done. How do we get there though? Confession: I tend to get distracted by the day to day challenges of ministry, but tonight was a reminder of the leader I want to be. It was also a reminder of how to get there. So I want to share a little bit of the legacy of my pastor as both an example to aspire to and a roadmap to get there.

The Making of a Legacy

What makes a great legacy? Three things stood out to me that I believe are part of leaving a great legacy. I’m sure there’s a lot more that goes into leaving a legacy, but these are the things that stood out to me.
 

A Family Legacy

As we sat through the celebration, one thing was evident: Pastor’s greatest legacy is his family. Hundreds of people came out to honor pastor, but no one in the room loved him more than his family. They adore him, and no one holds him in higher esteem than his wife and children.

This is what most of us want, but it’s harder than it looks. I don’t know about you, but my family sees the worst of me. They see me with my guard down and with all my warts. So for my family to be my greatest legacy will mean something special.

Here’s what I’m learning. It’s easy to get caught up in ministry and the work in front of me and neglect my family. Although it’s true, it scares me to death. I want to fight harder for my family than I fight for ministry, because they will be my legacy!

Legacy Challenge #1: Make sure your family is your first ministry and gets your best energy.

A Ministry Legacy

Every where Pastor has been and served in ministry God has moved. People have been saved, grown, and made a difference for the Kingdom. Our church has seen God do more than anyone could have ever imagined, and much of it is due to leadership of our pastor.

Not only that, but he is also highly thought of and honored by pastors across the country. Pastor has had a powerful ministry impact on everyone he’s served and served with. His legacy will endure because he’s given everything he’s had to everyone he’s served to see God move.

Legacy Challenge #2: Give everything you have to the people you serve with to see God move.

A Man of God Legacy

Perhaps the most important part of Pastor’s legacy is his legacy as a man of God. No matter where he is or what he’s doing, he is always the same. He’s the same man off the stage as he is on it. He’s a man of God and everyone who spends time with him knows it.

Leading a large church comes with more than it’s fair share of criticism. So unfortunately, a lot of people who have never met pastor criticize him. Here’s the cool thing though, everyone who knows him answers critics the same way. “If you knew him you wouldn’t say that.“

If you know Pastor Chris, you know he’s a man of God! There’s no question about it. He loves and leads people in a way few could, and it’s evident he’s a man who walks in God’s presence.  He’s an incredible man of God, and he’s the type of man and pastor I want to be.

Legacy Challenge #3: Love and lead people in a way they know you’ve been in God’s presence. 

 
I want to leave a legacy that endures. The only way to do it is to live intentionally and pursue being a great husband, dad, youth pastor, and man of God. I’m not there yet, but I’m grateful for a pastor who has provided the blueprint. You may not be there either, but we can get there together!

How are you working on your legacy? What legacy challenge do you need to take? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, please subscribe to join this community and be the first to receive updates and free resources to help you lead next level!