We hear it all the time. Pastors are shepherds. Their job is to lead the flock. So, what does that mean?
We sat down with Drew from Synergos XP and discussed some important leadership qualities that can help you succeed as you lead your congregation.
Here are 5 leadership principles every pastor should know but probably weren’t in the job description.
1. Clarity is Kind and the Job of the Leader
Clarity is essential in leadership. Sadly, it can often be perceived as creating conflict, especially regarding the church’s mission and vision. It’s natural to want to avoid this, to please the entire congregation. Pastors enter ministry to serve and love people, not to engage in conflict!
However, providing clarity, even when it feels confrontational, is crucial. Just as children need to know the day’s plan, your congregation needs to understand the direction, purpose, and reasoning behind decisions.
Creating clarity takes time and effort. It involves communicating plans clearly and often, even when saying no or providing gentle corrections. It’s a leadership essential.
2. Less is More: The Danger of Trying to Become All Things to All People
It can be tempting to be all things to all people as a pastor or church staff member. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 9, some believe that they must meet every need in the community. In reality, trying to do everything often dilutes a church’s impact rather than increases it. Instead, churches should focus on their unique calling and mission.
It can be easy to feel pressured to respond to every opinion and suggestion when in a leadership position. However, the power of a narrow focus is great. For example, rather than launching a general women’s ministry, targeting a specific demographic—such as single mothers in their 30s—can often lead to a greater impact.
Not every church needs to meet every need. Instead, churches should identify their unique mission and trust that other churches in the community will cover the needs that they cannot. It allows us as the body of Christ to rely on one another and fulfill Jesus’ vision in John 17: “… that they may be one as you and I are one–I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23).
3. If Everything is Important, Nothing is Important
In church leadership, it’s dangerous to treat all ministries and activities as equally important. If you give everything the same weight, you risk losing focus on what truly matters.
This principle often manifests in budgeting. When finances are tight, making uniform cuts across all ministries may seem like a fair solution, but it’s not a wise one. Certain ministries should be prioritized based on how central they are to your church’s mission. For example, if your church is called to reach young families with children with disabilities, that ministry should be protected, even if it means cutting back in less critical areas.
To implement this, set aside time each year for strategic planning to identify key initiatives and prioritize them in your budget alongside your leadership team. Consider creating tiers within your budget to delineate between essential and non-essential spending. This clarity in prioritization helps ensure that your church’s resources are aligned with its mission.
4. You’ll Only Go as Far as Your Systems Can Take You
Churches often have a love-hate relationship with systems and processes. On one hand, they can feel restrictive and impersonal, but on the other, they are vital for sustainable growth and effective ministry.
Without robust systems, even the most passionate and well-intentioned ministry efforts can falter. Systems provide the framework that allows your church to handle growth, manage resources effectively, and respond to challenges in a consistent and organized manner.
Investing in good systems—whether for finances, communication, or ministry operations—ensures that your church can continue to grow and serve its community effectively.
5. People Will Always Matter More Than Programs
While systems and strategies are essential, they should never overshadow the importance of people. In ministry, it’s easy to get caught up in managing programs and events, but at the end of the day, it’s the people you’re serving that matter most.
Programs and initiatives should always be evaluated based on how well they are serving and impacting people. Are lives being transformed? Are people growing in their faith? If a program is no longer serving its purpose, it may be time to let it go, even if it’s popular or has been around for a long time.
Balancing systems and people is a delicate dance, but always remember that people are at the heart of ministry.
These five principles—clarity, focus, prioritization, systems, and people—are at the core of effective pastoral leadership. They may not have been covered in your seminary classes or added to the job description, but mastering them will make a significant difference in your ministry!