A lot of ministries begin with a bang, then explode with new growth. But after the initial growth, they plateau. I have seen this repeated thousands of times from pastors I’ve talked with over the years.
God doesn’t want ministries to stagnate. Not only does he want them to succeed, but he also wants us to succeed as ministry leaders.
To help us achieve this goal, God has given us examples of errors to avoid—seven common traps of leadership that Satan is most likely to use to keep your ministry from becoming all that God wants it to be.
You stop growing personally
Whenever you find yourself resisting a new way of doing something, defending the status quo, or opposing a change that God has told you to make, watch out—you’re about to lose your place of leadership.
What’s the key to overcoming this leadership trap? You must continue developing your skills, your character, your perspective, your vision, your heart for God, and your dependence upon him.
Never stop learning. Read and reread the Bible. Listen to podcasts and sermons. Read books and blogs and magazines. Attend conferences and seminars. Keep feeding yourself!
You stop caring
The leader who stops having a passion for ministry won’t last long. This is one of the subtlest traps in ministry—you go through the motions of serving the Lord because you know it’s the right thing to do, but your heart is not in it. That’s no way to serve God.
If you’ve found yourself in this trap, there’s hope. If you want to recover your heart for people, you must do the things you did in the beginning.
Start acting the way you used to act when you were passionate about ministry. Even if you don’t feel passionate, act passionately.
It’s easier to act your way into a feeling than it is to feel your way into an action. If you act loving, those feelings will come back. So, do the things that originally brought you joy in ministry.
You stop listening
Learn to listen and be sensitive to others. Encourage the people you serve in ministry to talk to you. Let them tell you about their problems, their troubles, their fears, their aspirations, their dreams, and their hurts. Be open to suggestions and constructive criticism, and look for other perspectives.
You get distracted
Many things can distract you from ministry. Personal or health problems can distract you. Competing interests can distract you. Finances can distract you. Things that you think are fun and good and wonderful can distract you. Satan doesn’t care if you aren’t sinning while distracted, because as long as you’re distracted, you aren’t doing what God wants you to do.
But God wants us to stay focused. Never forget your mission. The Bible says in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (KJV).
Stay focused. Don’t get distracted.
You get complacent
Complacency is the enemy of a good leader. If God says go for it, stick your neck out! Never stop depending on the Lord. Stop coasting. Take some risks in faith. Push the envelope. Attempt something that cannot be accomplished in the power of the flesh. Say to yourself, “What am I going to try in my ministry this next year that I know is bound to fail unless God bails me out?” Unless God is your only safety net, you’re not truly living by faith. Depend on the Lord.
You become arrogant
I’ve seen this again and again. When a leader becomes arrogant, it leads to ruin. When you think that everything depends on you, when you don’t think you need the Lord’s help in your ministry because you’ve got it all together, watch out.
If you sense that you’ve become prideful and arrogant about your leadership, humble yourself. Submit your heart to God for softening, and bow before his greatness.
You fail to delegate
When a ministry plateaus, God is telling you that you’ve reached the limit of what he’s empowered you to do by yourself. You need to move from doing to delegating.
Involve other people in your ministry. Move from being a minister to a manager of ministers. Managing is a ministry in itself. D. L. Moody said it like this: “I’d rather put 10 men to work than do the work of 10 men.”
If you avoid these seven traps, you’ll go a long way toward building a ministry that lasts.
Being we are all called to preach the Good News, this is Good information for all those coming out of babe-hood to eat the meat and share the meat of the LORD’s messages.
Being a first time mother, I have my share of distractions. But, I’m also a seasoned Christian and always standing on the Rock of my Salvation with a repentant heart. Learn to pray continuously… practice, practice, practice until you accumulate a full prayer life. Therein your cup may remain full.
So true. Wonderful advice. I see those things that you describe right in my own church. And then we wonder why the church is not growing at all.
I really like this ministry because there so many educative tips. Let God bless you
“If you sense that you’ve become prideful and arrogant about your leadership, humble yourself.”
Well said!
I like getting info and sharing
Thanks
thanks mostly on number 7. I want to improve
Thanks for the insight to help me grow
Thanks for sharing this profound ministry and management truth,
Overcoming these traps and practicing the solutions will keep my church healthy and focused on God and the purpose of his calling us into his vineyard .
My heart is open to new ideas, ways of service and humble. Keep inspiring us to reach higher for God.
Thanks. I have understood that for you to become a good and strong leader in ministry or church, you must focus your eyes and your heart on God. Leave all traps of the devil laying around you. You must know to delegate work to others and not do the work which is to be done by 10 men. Thanks, continue to send more. I am ready to read!
Thanks, Rick. The road can become cumbersome for sure, but I’m trying to be more objective in my ministry. Satan has noticed that and has began attacking. If I continued to base my ministry on my feelings I would fail for sure…just as I’ve done in times past. Thanks for the advice. Solid tips. And, thanks for helping other ministers stay focused on the mission at hand.
Thank you for such wonderful words of common hidden mistakes that destroy the good work started by God and the Holy Spirit, without realizing the consequences.
I am not a pastor, but a teacher who wants to be used of God. I have been attending the same church for 7 years. I submitted myself to the pastor hoping to be used.The church was very small, only 15 people. In these 7 years the church has only grown to 25. There is no outreach except special speakers coming in. A lady is the pastor and she demands respect like a parent. There is no advisory board, just her and her husband. the husband is her servant not a partner or minister himself. No one is getting saved, or filled with the Holy Spirit, or sent out. The pastor is not open to constructive criticism from the regular attenders. Three leaders were asked to leave because they did not agree with the pastor. Two potential leaders just left because they have not been used in over 5 years.
any advice. Please help.
Some pastors are called and some just go. Sounds like you got caught up in the goer. Very important question you must ask yourself, “Am I growing spiritually?”
Thank you Pastor Rick, powerful and indeed very helpful. I needed this today
I am grateful for your ministry and your continuous help you provide to us pastors.
I need help…. Already in these traps