The problem with ineffectiveness and sin is it’s so much easier to spot in other people than it is to see within ourselves.
Chances are you’ve got some theories on why the leader down the road is struggling in their church.
Or why the latest megachurch icon cheated and fell.
But what about you?
Progress really starts when you and I look in the mirror and ask the hard questions.
So What Might You Be Destroying?
So, what might you be doing that’s destroying the ministry you’re leading, the people you’re leading, the cause you believe in?
Okay, destroying is a loaded word.
I realize that for the most part, nobody means to harm or destroy others. And most of us might not fail catastrophically in that sense.
But what if by ignoring common leadership pitfalls, you destroy the potential of your ministry?
In fact, that’s a likely explanation of what is happening in many churches.
Think about it. In most churches, things aren’t collapsing wildly, they’re just not advancing. Or if they are advancing, they’re still not reaching their potential.
How much potential impact is being wasted or destroyed because leaders aren’t leading effectively?
Here are 11 ways I’ve noticed in which leaders sabotage their ministry. I’m personally working to address each of these daily in my own life and leadership.
Why? Because most of us never intend to destroy anything. But sometimes we do anyway. Here’s how:
Most of us never intend to destroy anything. But sometimes we do anyway. Click To Tweet1. Caring more about your personal success than the success of others and the mission.
The battle against sin is a battle against the self. If you don’t check your ego, it will check you.
Godly leadership means caring about the mission more than you care about your personal success and desiring to see others flourish.
Leaders who forget that destroy their potential and the potential of their mission.
The battle against sin is a battle against the self. If you don't check your ego, it will check you. Click To Tweet2. Hogging the spotlight.
In our celebrity-driven, social media culture, it’s easier than ever to draw attention to yourself. If you’re thinking more about your “platform” that your people, you’re sowing the seeds of your future destruction.
Best antidote? Push others into the spotlight. Align and equip people, and then let them lead.
3. An unwillingness to deal with your personal “junk.”
I don’t know a single effective leader who hasn’t been to counseling.
I’m not making that up.
If you don’t deal with your personal junk—your issues and baggage—you will harm not only yourself but the people you love and lead. Deal with your issues. Your kids, spouse, and the people you lead will thank you.
So, if you've thinking about whether you need to book that therapy session - here's your sign: Do it now. Click To Tweet4. Micromanagement.
I remember an elders’ meeting years ago where one of our elders looked at me and said, “I don’t know whether you’ll ever be able to let go.”
I’ve never forgotten that.
The more I micro-manage the more I interfere with the mission and leadership potential of others. I wrote this post about the journey away from being a control freak.
5. Distraction.
Every day there’s a battle for focus. Stay focused on the ministry and mission.
Not on the critics. Not on neat shiny diversions. Keep your focus.
Every day there's a battle for focus. Stay focused on the ministry and mission. Click To Tweet6. Not giving others permission to tell you the truth.
Many leaders say they want to hear what people think, but really don’t. Here are two questions I’m starting to ask my direct reports every month:
Is there anything I have done or said in the last month that’s robbed you of your passion or energy for our mission?
If you were me, what would you do differently?
Thanks to Clay Scroggins for introducing me to those incredible questions.
7. Caring too much about insiders and not outsiders.
Focus on who you want to reach, not who you want to keep. Many leaders spend little time with outsiders because their 40+ hours are completely absorbed with insiders.
Think about it: Why would you expect your congregation to listen to your evangelism tips if you spend all of your time with church people?
You control your time, so decide carefully how you use it.
8. Letting your personal walk with Christ slide.
It’s so sad that many people lose their closeness to Jesus in the name of serving him. Don’t.
You know what to do. Do it.
9. Letting your home life unravel.
Don’t sacrifice your family in the name of ministry. You can become so good at leading from the pulpit that you forsake the relationships that matter most in your life – your spouse and children.
Your family is your legacy. If you sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry, your ministry will rot from the inside out.
Here are 5 surprisingly easy ways to lead better at home.
10. Failing to care for yourself.
This takes out so many leaders.
And you’re not just taking yourself down, you’re bringing down everyone with you including your family. You need to take periodic self-assessments of your emotional and physical wellbeing.
When’s the last time you went to the gym? Or read a book for pleasure? If you can’t think of answer to those questions, you’re not taking care of yourself and you’re probably close to burnout.
This post can help you see whether you are taking appropriate self-care or whether you are self-medicating.
11. Fear of taking actual risks.
Yep. At some point, you have to do something. Study and pray for sure. But then act. Stare down fear. I think fear is why most leaders don’t pull the triggers they need to pull.
Fear is why most leaders don't pull the triggers they need to pull. Click To Tweet