Ten Things That Can Cause Stress In A Leader

Thanks for the reminder, Pastor Perry.

Actually…I am not sure if these cause stress in every leader…but I know these are the 10 most common things that cause stress in me…

#1 – I actually believe the church is MY church and not HIS church…and that I am in control rather than HIM! (See Matthew 16:18)

#2 – I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and actually begin to believe the lie that, “if I want something done right then I must do it myself.”

#3 – When I know without a doubt what God has spoken to me to do…but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has called me to do is an impossibility.

#4 – When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation…they just want to argue.

#5 – When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example.

#6 – When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much the church needs me rather than how much I actually NEED CHRIST!

#7 – When I worry about results more than obedience!!!

#8 – When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God!

#9 – When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (When…the opposite is the case, those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!)

#10 – When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life!

Responding to Failure...Responding to Success

I think that the greatest test of leadership later in life is how we respond to our success. Do we let it go to our head or do we give God glory? Do we use it to build an army of fans or do we use it to make fans of Christ?

I think the greatest test of our leadership early on is how we respond to our failures. Do we go into self-defense mode? Do we abdicate responsibility? Do we try to make ourselves look better than we actually are? Or do we embrace the failure as an opportunity to learn?

In both instances, it’s a matter of who holds the reins on our lives. Is it all about us? Or is it all about God?

I firmly believe that we will not respond to our success well if we don’t first respond to our failures well.

Leadership Can Be Lonely

I've come to grips that leadership can sometimes be lonely.

I try to always lead in teams. But sometimes, leadership can just be lonely. There are places that only you can go. Think about Jesus going into the garden to pray. Or Elijah hiding out in the cave. Or Moses going before Pharaoh. There are some seasons and situations where leadership is lonely.

That’s why you’ve got to make sure that your identity is rooted in something much deeper than your own abilities or other peoples’ opinions of you. Popular opinion is fleeting and it is flawed. Those who praise you too much and those who criticize you too much are both wrong. Don’t listen to either. Hunker down into the Scriptures and discover who God says you are and who he created you to be. Seek his approval, favor, and pleasure. And when the lonely seasons come, you'll be anchored well.

Building People, Not Crowds

One of the most important church leadership principles that I've come to understand is that I am not called to build crowds, but to reach them.  This happens when we build people...and building people is the most fulfilling part of a church leader's job.

What people need most from us as leaders is equipping and encouragement.  Early in my ministry, I was too focused on all I had to do and not focused enough on seeing clearly what God wanted to do for and through our church.  I've learned that He really expects two important things of us as leaders.  He desires for us to equip people through biblical teaching and empower them for ministry so they become excited about what can happen for the Lord.

God calls us not just to reach crowds, but also to build people.

Monday

Monday is the day that most pastors/church leaders struggle…some call it the “holy hangover,” others call it “life!” So many are tempted to quit, give up and/or throw in the towel.

Don’t do it!  Don’t quit!

Galatians 6:9 is true about you..."Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." NIV

I don’t know about you…but I have several quotes in my office, things I look at to challenge and inspire me…here is one I thought I would share because, well, it’s Monday!

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause. Who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement, and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt

MVPs

Who are your MVPs? The people-- whether paid or volunteer-- that you cannot imagine doing ministry without? The people who make it happen, keep momentum flowing, keep the vision at the forefront, and give you joy.

As I read the epistles of Paul, I'm struck with how often he praises people in the various churches he writes. He's so thankful for the many great leaders, and he's constantly acknowledging their sacrifices, accomplishments, and efforts. He heaps gratitude on people who bring him joy because of their ministry and their friendship with him.

We've all got MVPs around us. They are the people that make us happy to do what we get to do. And we should find ways to let them know that.