Oftentimes, leaders are not always measured on their wins or successes but rather their mistakes and failures. A leader is supposed to have wins; therefore, they are oftentimes overlooked. However, those mistakes stick out like a sore thumb.
I have had the opportunity to both work in leadership positions and provide leadership consulting for publicly traded corporations, political entities, correctional organizations, and ministries.
Over the years, I have made and witnessed many leadership mistakes.
As I look at mistakes in the context of ministry leadership, there are five common mistakes that seem to be prevalent among ministry leaders:
5 Mistakes Ministry Leaders Make
1. Blame It on Ministry
Don’t Miss
Ministry leaders will blame their unwillingness to make tough decisions on the fact that “It’s Ministry” or “I know they are not doing so and so, but we are a church.”
Yes, it might be a church or a ministry role; however, that’s no excuse for not holding people accountable, expecting excellence, and demanding a high level of performance.
If secular leaders are expected to perform, shouldn’t ministry leaders be held to even a higher standard…Not only perform, but perform with integrity! Don’t Blame It on Ministry!
2. Copy Cat
Oftentimes, ministry leaders try to replicate what they see popular churches, ministries, or pastors doing. Don’t get me wrong; it’s important for ministry leaders to learn from what other successful ministries are doing and apply those ideas, concepts, practices, systems, and theories contextually to their ministry.
The problem with Copy Cats is they listen to a pastor at a conference or see something another ministry is doing and try to 100% replicate it without understanding the history, context, and DNA behind those decisions, practices, or systems.
Don’t Be a Copy Cat!
