Healthy Leaders Lead to Healthier Churches

One conviction continues to shape how I think about ministry: Healthy ministry leaders will result in healthier ministries.

That doesn’t mean healthy leaders never struggle.

It doesn’t mean their churches are perfect.

It means leaders who are spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and vocationally healthy are better equipped to navigate ministry without being consumed by it. The role of a minister carries unique pressures. The role of the youth minister gets more niche in its pressures. Youth pastors carry expectations from students, parents, volunteers, senior leadership, church boards, and their own families.Those expectations can regularly be in conflict with each other. They are expected to be spiritually mature, relationally available, administratively competent, creative, emotionally stable, theologically grounded, and endlessly energetic - and in the process often be compensated at a level that requires a side hustle or dual income family. Eventually, something gives if nobody is caring for the person underneath the position.

Moses learned this lesson in Exodus 18:17–23 through the instruction of his father-in-law Jethro:

“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.  Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."

Moses was trying his best to serve everyone who needed him, but Jethro saw what Moses couldn’t: the way he was working was unsustainable.

I picture a wide-eyed expression of care and concern on him as he says to Moses, “This is not good.” He then lovingly and honestly gives Moses a warning: Continue carrying everything alone, both you and the people would wear out.

The solution wasn’t for Moses to care less.

It was to lead healthier.

That principle is still relevant.

This summer reinforced for me why our work with ministry leaders investing in the next generation matters.

• At camps, I served leaders navigating change and responsibility.

• At our Cohort Retreat, leaders who normally carry responsibility were given permission to set some of it down.

• At our home, ministry families had a place to swim, laugh, rest, and simply be together.

Those experiences look different, but they are connected.

They all care for the person behind the ministry role.

Programs, strategy, curriculum, and ministry productivity matters. But nearly every ministry system will eventually be limited by the health of the people leading it.

That is why coaching matters.

Cohorts matter.

Retreats matter.

Friendship matters.

Rest matters.

We aren't trying to create celebrity ministry leaders. We are trying to help ordinary, faithful leaders remain healthy enough to keep doing what God has called them to do. Because when a leader becomes healthier, the impact spreads to their spouse, children, volunteers, students, and church.

What would change in our churches if we became as intentional about caring for the health of our leaders as we are about evaluating the ministries they lead?