Many Senior Pastors I meet confess that they don’t have the energy necessary to consistently function at their highest capacity for extended periods of time. They fluctuate. Their energy comes and goes in spurts. One day they’re focused and passionate. The next day they’re lethargic and unmotivated. What is in danger, to borrow a publishing phrase, is the Senior Pastor's … [Read more...]
8 Ways Senior Pastors Can Prevent Burnout
I’m seeing a disturbing trend. As of late a number of highly gifted Senior Pastor friends of mine leading smaller to medium-sized churches have come perilously close to burning out. Now, there has always been burnout in ministry as long as there have been Senior Pastors. But my read on this is that the stress placed on the shoulders of leaders in the trenches is … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Amateur And Professional Senior Pastors
Amateurs wait to write their sermons until they feel inspired. Professionals work on their sermons on a schedule, focusing on creating consistent writing habits that lead to inspiration. Amateurs take criticism about various aspects of the church they serve personally. Professionals seek feedback, even if it is negative, and view it as necessary to growth as an … [Read more...]
Chuck Swindoll On Senior Pastors Being Themselves
17 years ago I wrote Chuck Swindoll, seeking his advice regarding preaching and church leadership. At the time Chuck Swindoll was one of the most popular and beloved Senior Pastors in the United States. I wrote him because I had become convinced that I was not cut out to be a pastor – I didn’t have the right personality, and instead of slick self-help sermons, I simply … [Read more...]
Be Careful How You Blow Off Steam With Your Staff (Or, Pursuing The Spiritual Discipline Of Joy)
A few years ago I was in a meeting with a group of Senior Pastors from the East Coast. Someone thought it would be a good idea to get all of us together and suffer for Jesus in Orlando for a week. Amidst the great food and laughter, we broached some serious topics related to leading a growing church. One issue that struck me in particular was the way we senior leadership … [Read more...]
13 Senior Pastor Mistakes That Flatline Growth
Here are 13 common mistakes Senior Pastors make that contribute to sluggish growth, or even decline. Fix these and watch what happens. 1. You Are Afraid To Fire Staff Bill Hybels once said that the time to fire someone is the first time you think of it. In other words, once you’re convinced they're not the right person for the job, you either have to move them to another seat … [Read more...]
The Myth of the Happy Church-Growth Pastor
In the early years of starting Christ's Church of the Valley I was asked to write an article for a ministry magazine. At the time of writing I was starting more services, hiring more staff, assimilating more people, and putting out more fires than what seemed humanly possible. The editor told me to write about anything I wanted, so I sat down and just started writing, and … [Read more...]
