5 Challenges Every Ministry Leader Has To Face

No matter what your title says, you are a leader in some capacity. And whether you want to rise in the ranks, it’s essential to know that becoming a leader, supervisor, manager, or boss means more influence and more responsibility. And with those two attributes come several challenges. Five of those challenges are:

REMEMBERING YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL

A leader is responsible for their ministry’s growth, but a leader that tries to control everything will quickly lose control.  Leadership is a gift from God, and like any gift, it must be handled with care.

Stewardship requires humility and faith that God has a bigger and better plan than anything we can imagine. If control is something, you feel like you struggle with, take five minutes a day in a short prayer telling God, “You got this.” Next, find someone you can trust to hold you accountable for trusting in what God has in store. This person can be a friend, coach, or prayer partner.

GUARDING YOURSELF AGAINST THE BUSYNESS

As a leader, everyone will want your attention, insight, and advice. And as a leader, you are responsible for making sure things get done; at the end of the day, you are the person in charge. With all this demand for your time and attention, it makes sense why leaders get so busy. But, if a leader does not manage their busyness, it can lead to preventable errors.

It’s crucial to schedule MARGIN and REST.  Managing your schedule is not complicated; however, it does take discipline. Using anything from a calendar app to a physical planner will help you review your tasks, meetings, and responsibilities. The bottom line, make it a priority so that you don’t burn yourself out.

REFUSING TO BE LONELY 

It should never be lonely at the top. Leaders are not loners; they know that they have to network with others because leadership is hard. Every week I meet with two people from my parish with who I can share ideas and receive accountability. They are not tasked with carrying out any responsibilities; instead, they are asked to be present, listen, and advise.

And then, I am a part of a cohort of like-minded leaders who share my leadership woes and triumphs. Every month that we gather, we talk about life and offer one another love and accountability. Leaders need to surround themselves with others to provide support and encouragement.

Are there two or three people in your parish you can connect with regularly? When you invite them to meet with you, simply tell them, “I would love to sit for a coffee and get your insight on a few things I’m working on.” Your meetings with them are informal, but you have to permit them to speak into your life.

If you cannot find anyone in your parish, then look for a regional group of people in your field. At MYM U, we not only have masterclasses to help you grow as ministry leaders but cohorts to bring you that accountability. When you surround yourself with the right people, you take the responsibility to focus on what’s right and most important.

GETTING OUT OF THE WAY

The first day you start leading is the first day you need to plan on leaving. Every leader has an expiration date, and when that day comes, you need to make sure someone is ready to take your place. At the same time, there is so much work to be done you have to focus on sharing your platform.

Sharing your platform is a difficult concept because many of us have worked hard to be where we are; however, centering on others is vital to building the Kingdom. To get out of the way:

• Invest in those around you.

• Give opportunities for your team to lead.

• Open yourself up to other ideas.

If you allow others to lead it doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means that you have cultivated a culture where new leaders emerge.  After all, it isn’t always about you.

PRIORITIZING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Once you’ve stopped learning, it’s time to stop leading.  Leaders know that they always have room to grow and are constantly looking for those resources and opportunities. Your formation is important because you cannot lead if you have nothing to give.

Prioritizing your spiritual formation will strengthen your relationship with God. Investing in your intellectual formation will expand your knowledge of the faith. Growing pastorally will make you an expert in your field, and your human formation will make you a better person.

Growing also takes a little bit of courage, and you might have to seek wisdom by stepping outside of your comfort zone.  As you grow to be a better leader, others will want to follow, and you’ll have the capacity to take on the challenges every leader faces.

While it’s not easy being a leader, it is gratifying. As a leader, you have to remember that God is with you and that He has a plan for your life. Continue to work on yourself, and don’t let failure or any obstacle stop you.

How are you enduring the challenges that sometimes come with leadership? 

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