The Leadership Question: Breaking 200

For example, we must learn how to shape and share a vision. A vision isn’t just a big goal. A vision is a picture of the future that is both inspiring and possible, fostering commitment through the power of God. We must also learn how to develop and deploy leaders. Let me explain why. Growing from 125 people to 200 people is 60% attendance growth. But a church of 200 requires twice as many key leaders as a church of 125. Growing by 60% in attendance requires growing by 100% in active leaders. 

This leads to a key paradox of leadership: doing more often results in accomplishing less. As Carey Nieuwhof has said, “Doing doesn’t scale. Leadership does.” Pastors and ministry leaders can be so busy doing ministry that they aren’t leading within ministry. When we do this, we miss opportunities for mission—and we rob the people God has put around us of opportunities to lead and serve as well. 

One great way to develop your leadership skills is through the Breaking 200 course I offer in partnership with RightNow Pastors+. In that course, I walk through some of these things in a lot of depth, specifically pinpointing some key shifts in our ecclesiology, missiology, and leadership development. I encourage you to check it out. 

I want to help you, because I’ve had to learn some of these things the hard way. When I planted a church in Erie, Pennsylvania, I was trying to do everything for everyone. We were about 125-150 in attendance. Everyone had my number, and I was the first call for everything we were doing as a church. I have never worked so hard, and I was exhausted. I finally learned what needed to change, and in my young and brash way, I announced one Sunday, “I’m resigning as your personal pastor.” 

People were shocked, and that was my intent. I wanted everyone to know that I was failing to do what I was called to do, and that we needed to shift how we approached ministry and cared for people. We did, and we never looked back. 

Many pastors are in the same situation. Many are stuck and wrestling with whether they should just yield to the problem or find a way to break through. I understand the temptation, but I hope you won’t yield. 

Instead, do what it takes to shift your vision of leadership and pursue theological and practical leadership growth—for the glory of God and the sake of the mission.