There exists a numerous amount of responsibilities and nuances that go into being a pastor of any sort. Whether you’re a lead, student, children’s, outreach, associate, etc., you know the daily and weekly tasks that go into your “job.”
However, one intangible about your ministry cannot go overlooked – your leadership. I believe we are in an era of ministry where pastors, young and old, are beginning to grasp and leverage this idea of leadership. As our leadership team at my church has adopted, “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”
As a pastor, your leadership abilities must grow with the increasing demands of your ministry growth.
In other terms, if you want to see your ministry thrive in effectiveness and accomplishing your mission, one of the greatest ways to achieve the former is to work on yourself as a leader.
Yet, leadership is not something pastors are taught in school. But, it does encompass every nook and cranny of guiding a ministry. From strategically planning spiritual growth to developing volunteers to managing budgets, being in ministry means being in leadership.
And the best leaders are disciplined.
Here are four regular disciplines that have helped develop me into a better leader.
4 Disciplines to Become A Better Leader
Read
I read…a lot. You may have heard the appropriate phrase, “Leaders are readers.” Well, it’s true. I’ve yet to meet an excellent leader who isn’t constantly reading. Further, good leaders read all types of authors and subjects. From theology and doctrine to leadership and management to fiction, the act of reading is a discipline that cannot be overlooked.
Application question: What am I currently reading and how is it challenging me?
Active
There is physiological evidence to support the overwhelming mental and physical benefits of being active (you know, stress release and endorphins and all that other good stuff). Now, I’m not suggesting being a good leader means having six-pack abs. But, quality leaders understand the benefits of living a healthy and active lifestyle to remain mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy.
Application question: Am I being regularly active (gym, sports, hiking, etc.) to keep myself physically and mentally fit?
Time and Energy ManagementÂ
This may be the toughest one to implement for some. For strong leaders are organized on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. They have learned the discipline to saying “no” to good things to get “great” things done. In ministry, many people and opportunities arise to steal and eat away our time. Understanding your schedule and energy (when you work best and most efficiently) mixed with the discipline of managing it all well is a distinguishing mark of a healthy leader.
Application Question: Do I plan out my weeks down to the hour? What do I need to start saying “no” to in order to say “yes” to what needs to get done?
Sabbath
Almost the adverse of the point above, good leaders know and value rest. We were not designed to be workaholics and consumed 7-days a week with our tasks. A developed leader put themselves in places to rest and recovery on a weekly basis.
Application Question: Am I honoring a Sabbath day every week to recharge with God? What can I do to protect and honor that time?
Now What?
These four disciplines stretch me to being a better leadership. What would you add to this list? What disciplines do you use to build your leadership capacity?
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