At PY Encourage 2025, Dave Phillips, PYNSW General Manager, shared about joy in the life of the youth leader, to encourage those in attendance to consider intentionally how to cultivate it. This article is an adaptation of that seminar.

Joy. It’s a word we toss around casually. “Find joy in the little things,” or “Joyful hearts make light work”. But what does it really mean to experience joy, especially in the messy, relentless world of ministry? 

For many leaders, joy can feel like a fleeting luxury, a distant echo amid late nights, high expectations, and the unpredictable energy of young people. Yet Scripture offers a radically different picture: joy is not a reward for easy seasons but a constant companion, found in our identity as children of God.

Paul’s words to the Thessalonians cut to the heart of it. 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). 

Joy, then, is not circumstantial. It is spiritual, cultivated through daily practices and a mindset that turns toward God, even when life is complicated.

Joy across the Bible

The Bible presents joy as a thread woven through the story of God’s people. 

In the Old Testament, joy is tied to God’s presence and provision—Eden, the Promised Land, even the hope of the Messiah. 

In the New Testament, joy expands through Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. It is both a present reality and a future promise, sustained through the church’s growth, even amid persecution.

But how do we cultivate joy in our daily leadership, when the demands are unrelenting, and the wins are often quiet and unseen?

Seven steps to cultivate joy

1. Clearing the ground – Remove distractions and sins that choke spiritual growth (Heb. 12:1; Luke 8:14). Just as soil must be freed of rocks and weeds before seeds take root, our hearts must shed what hinders joy.
   
2. Tilling the soil – Work on your relationship with God through prayer, reflection, and openness to his guidance (Hosea 10:12; Ps. 139:23-24). Joy grows best in hearts that are attentive and receptive.
   
3. Planting the seeds – Cultivate habits that support joy: gratitude, prayer, and focus on what is true and noble (Phil. 4:4-9). These spiritual disciplines are the seeds from which joy blossoms.
   
4. Watering and waiting – Recognize that joy comes from God’s work, not our own. Patience and perseverance are essential, trusting God’s timing (Isa. 55:10-11; James 5:7).
   
5. Pruning – Remove the things that do not bear fruit (John 15:1-11). Just as a vine must be pruned to thrive, we must let go of habits, commitments, or relationships that stifle joy.
   
6. Harvesting – Celebrate the fruit. Joy is meant to be shared and celebrated, even in small wins (Psalm 126:5-6; Neh. 8:10). Recognising progress nourishes further growth.
   
7. Composting – Transform grief into fuel for future joy (Isa. 61:1-3; Romans 8:28; John 16:20-22). Pain is not wasted; it can deepen our capacity for joy when placed in God’s hands. As we work through the grieving process, we reach a point where we have even greater capacity for joy.
   

Making joy habitual

Joy is not a one-off experience. It becomes part of your leadership through consistent habits—reading Scripture, guarding your spiritual life, and celebrating wins both large and small in ministry. As leaders, modelling this rhythm shows young people that joy is not merely a feeling but a posture of faith.

Ultimately, this kind of joy is found in our relationship with God and a constant awareness that we are his children. It offers peace in grief and involves taking the time to celebrate. It is both a personal gift and a leadership tool. The joy you carry inevitably shapes the joy of your group, influencing how young people experience faith, community, and service.

So pause and ask yourself: How is your joy today? And then consider: What habits will you put in place to cultivate joy, not just for yourself, but for those you lead?