Servant Leadership

Handling the pressures of leadership 

"I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." 2 Corinthians 11:28 NIV 

Preachers prepare sermons, teachers plan lessons, accountants crunch numbers, and mechanics fix engines. But there’s no institution of higher learning that can fully prepare you for the pressures of leadership. That only comes through on-the-job training. Paul lists the pressures of leadership along with being whipped, beaten, stoned, betrayed, and shipwrecked. It’s one of the reasons why more than 21 percent of pastors say they wouldn’t go into ministry if they had their time over. As author Zig Ziglar said, "It’s lonely at the top." 

If you’re a leader in any area of life – and most of us are whether we realize it or not – the buck not only stops at your door, but you can’t move it with a bulldozer. As a leader you will hear little when things go according to plan, but when they don’t go well, watch out. Leaders draw criticism as surely as a picnic draws flies. Influencing others always comes at a price. A leader will pay the cost in time, thought, and trust. The installments look like daily risk taking, visionary thinking, diligent working, and problem solving. 

But the biggest cost is dealing with people, especially those who may wear the same uniform but aren’t on the same team. Paul refers to it this way: "In danger from false believers" (v. 26 NIV). If this is what you are experiencing today, here’s what God said to Moses: "Stand near me... As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand" (Exodus 33:21-22 NLT). 

What’s the answer to the pressures of leadership? A consciousness of God’s presence in your life. 

Prayer point:

Lord, help me to seek Your presence when I am feeling lonely in leadership. Give me the wisdom and the endurance to lead well and bring You glory. Help me fight discouragement with Your truth so that I can live out the calling You have placed upon my life. Amen.    

Acknowledgements:  Krejcir, Dr Richard J., Statistics on Pastors: 2016 Update, accessed March 18, 2019