Pastoring requires being a leader, but not every pastor is a strong leader. Rather than harshly judge these pastors, though, we need to understand reasons they may struggle—and then prayerfully help them. Here are some of those reasons:
- They have never seen strong leadership modeled. Too many pastors are still learning leadership on their own because they’ve never spent time with a strong, godly leader. They have no personal role models.
- They’ve seen bad models. When they see a poor pastoral leader, some pastors spend as much time trying not to be that way that they sometimes fail to develop positive leadership traits. That’s leading by avoidance rather than by intentionality.
- Their training did not include enough attention to leadership. I teach at a seminary that requires a leadership course, but I’m aware that one course is just a start. Learning leadership takes time and training.
- They may not be gifted for leadership. I do believe that leadership skills can be taught, but some pastors are more gifted than others for the task of leadership. Leadership is, in fact, a spiritual gift.
- They’ve been wounded in past ministries. Some pastors who were once strong leaders have scars from previous ministries—and leading has simply become difficult. It feels risky once you’ve been hurt.
- They’re still young. We’ve all been there: young, zealous (arrogant, even), and convinced we can lead. It’s only when we mature that we realize just how poorly we were leading. Some pastors may be in leadership roles before they’re ready.
- They’re in maintenance mode. Maybe they’re weary, or they just don’t want to tackle the challenge of change. Some are more focused on retirement than on developing an energetic ministry.
- They’re unwilling to ask for help. It’s hard for many of us to ask for help, especially if the church has called us to lead. The result is leadership in isolation—and that’s seldom good.
- The church structure may not let them lead. In some congregations, the structure of committees and boards so handcuffs the pastor that few people could lead.
Take time now to pray that your pastor will lead well. What other reasons would you add to this list?
