When you hear” the church has become worldly,” the first thought is sin sneaking in, chasing money, or copying culture. That’s a real problem but here’s the reverse paradox: sometimes the church isn’t “worldly” enough in the right way. Not in sin, but in wisdom. We forget to learn from simple principles of order, accountability, and responsibility that the world applies every day. In Luke 16:8, Jesus shocks everyone: “The people of this world are shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. “Wait, did Jesus just say unbelievers can sometimes be wiser than believers? Exactly! He wasn’t endorsing dishonesty, but He was highlighting strategy and foresight. While we are spiritual, Jesus calls us to be wise, strategic, and practical. Things that many young leaders ignore, so let’s explore a few imbalances:
Fervent in Spirit, Weak in Structure
Many of us youth love the spiritual disciplines; prayers, fasting, all-night worship. That is needful and powerful but let’s be honest: we often lead groups, run ministries, or even manage our personal lives without discipline or direction. We pray, “Lord, grow my youth ministry!” but we don’t set clear goals, track participation, or evaluate what’s working and what’s not. We cry out, “Lord, bless me financially!” but we don’t budget, save, or develop skills. James 2:17 says, “Faith without works is dead.” Prayer without planning often ends up the same. Like the shrewd servant, he had the idea (Spiritual/intangible) and played the structure (Debtors) to his advantage.
Legalistic but ineffective
By-laws and constitutions are important guides for leadership, but focusing solely on rules can blind leaders to the real needs of the people they serve. Creativity, innovation, and a willingness to adapt are just as crucial. Young leaders who get stuck in rigid routines or only execute statutory programs risk missing the heart of leadership: making a tangible impact. Especially the frontiers of this fourth industrial revolution who naturally drive change, bring fresh ideas, and shape the future of the church. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:19: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Programs alone do not equal success fruitfulness, impact, and relevance are what truly matter. The steward read the situation and acted creatively to get a win-win. As young leaders’ out creativity should not break rules but seek to review and strengthen.
Worldly Wisdom but No Spiritual Depth
Then there’s the flip side. Some leaders love the idea of strategy, planning, and accountability and that’s good! Even Jesus praised the “shrewd steward” in Luke 16:8 for his foresight. But the danger is when we copy systems of the world and forget that this is still God’s work. Ministry is not just about efficiency; it’s about dependence on the Spirit. The balance in Practical wisdom and spiritual depth. Paul captured both: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). We do the work diligently, but God brings the increase. The steward was wise in his strategy (“Adw3n Kese3”) but his motive was flawed.
Accountability Matters
In the world, people measure progress. Businesses track profits, students check grades, even athletes measure time and distance. Why? Because results matter. The church can’t shy away from measuring results either, not just numbers but lives changed, leaders grown, communities impacted. True spirituality doesn’t cancel accountability; it demands it. We sometimes hide behind “God will do it” instead of being accountable. Yet Jesus Himself demanded results: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). Paul could boldly say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). That’s not pride its accountability. He checked his work and presented his report. The steward acted because he knew he would be called to give an account. He anticipated accountability and prepared for it albeit in his selfish interest.
What shall we do?
Youth work is never done in isolation. God has a unique way of bringing teams together for his work. Assess all your team members and play on the strengths of all team members. Balance prayer with planning by making your prayer list match your project list. Review programs annually: what’s bearing fruit, what’s just filling time? Let plans flow out of discernment, using strategy as a channel, but keeping the Spirit as the source. “But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.” Job 32:8. Regularly ask: “Where is God in this plan?” Do quarterly reviews to follow through on what you set out to do, what happened, what’s next? Finally, celebrate progress and milestones.
The Call
So, Dear fellow young leader:
• Let’s not hide behind spirituality while neglecting strategy.
• Let’s not cling to laws or routines while ignoring creativity.
• Let’s not adopt worldly wisdom while forgetting the Spirit.
Let’s be spiritual, practical, faithful, fruitful, prayerful and accountable. That’s the balance that keeps us from being truly “worldly,” while still making a real Kingdom impact.