I feel like I’ve been out of my comfort zone a lot this year, and I kind of like it. I’m not a fan of how exhausted it leaves me feeling at the end of the week, but it has deepened my appreciation for so many different things. Leading out of your comfort zone might sound like a bad idea, but the truth is that is where growing leaders need to be. When you lead out of your comfort zone, it forces you to:
And while leading out of your comfort zone has its benefits, it definitely wears you to the bone. That’s why leaders need to figure out how to stretch themselves without burning out. By living in that tension, ministry leaders can learn how to grow and commit to ministry in the long haul. While there is no perfect formula, this is what I’ve learned over my career:
If you try to be the smartest person in the room, you are doing something wrong. Smart people are men and women who ask the right questions and have success in a specific field. For example, the people you invite to be a part of your council could be entrepreneurs, teachers, project managers, or parents. You find them smart because it seems like they see things differently from the rest of the world.
To surround yourself with smart people requires humility and the willingness to invite them to share with you what they know. It might take time to build these relationships, but the effort you put into the relationship will be worth it. When we can surround ourselves with smart people, we can be sure we are continuously getting the wisdom we need to grow.
It’s one thing to set goals, but if you don’t measure them, you’ll never know if you are heading in the right direction. At the same time, some people evaluate their ministry without having an idea of what they are trying to accomplish—leaders who challenge themselves with careful calculation know what risks to take and bounce back from failure.
I try to set goals every week, along with each month and every year. There are several goals I don’t make, but the ones I do have had a significant impact on my ministry. By setting goals, I also have a clear picture of what needs to get done each day because my tasks are focused on a bigger picture.
If you are not a goal person, then answer the question, “What are you trying to achieve with what you do professionally?” Be specific, and don’t be afraid to fall short. Having a direction means progress and growth. Setting goals will stretch you, and they will help you stay focused on what matters most.
While nothing has been as intense as going after my graduate degree in pastoral theology, learning from leaders from outside of the ministry world has been just as rewarding. At first, it was hard to draw parallels from companies like Chick-fil-a and Southwest, but over time it became clear that they had something to teach me about caring for a team and your employees. In addition, reading books about organizational, behavioral, and systematic health has pushed me to really look at how I function as a leader and disciple of Christ.
Again, there are plenty of resources within the Church to help you grow as a leader and a ministry, but going beyond our usual resources will help you approach situations with fresh perspectives. With an array of books, podcasts, and online videos available, you don’t have to go far or pay a lot to learn from outsiders.
Do not be afraid of listening to outsiders challenges your mindset. If anything, their voices can be an affirmation of what you already know or give you that idea to push you out of a rut. Leaders are learners, and they are willing to go beyond the usual scope.
It’s great to cast a big vision and invest yourself in achieving something big. But, grinding it out to achieve your goals can hurt you if you don’t take time to pause, breathe and think. Anyone who has run a race knows that water stations are critical. People who have climbed a mountain know you have to pace yourself. And super moms and dads need time to themselves, now and then.
Just because you work for the local church does not mean your superhuman. The reality is that God has called us to rest, and we need to take advantage of it. One of the secrets to lasting a long time in ministry is knowing when to slow down, pause and refuel. But, taking the time to rest and slow down is difficult if you do not track and budget your time. I use a daily planner, the Monk Manual, along with a family shared calendar on my phone to make sure I’m not overbooked or overworked.
Don’t be afraid to push yourself as a leader, but be sure to find that time to care for yourself and set boundaries. Ministry can be a gauntlet, but the joy you will experience from doing God’s work will make every step worth it. If you are looking for coaching to endure the battles, check out MYMU or set up a free consultation with us HERE. Just remember, you do not have to do ministry on your own.