Navigating Leadership Fatigue in Church Leadership
Even the most passionate and driven church leaders sometimes experience periods where everything feels steady… maybe too steady. Everything seems fine; attendance is stable, the staff is hanging in there, no crisis in sight. However, everything just being “fine” can sometimes be the most dangerous season in leadership.
When “Coasting” Creeps In
Leadership fatigue is a stark reality for many of us in church leadership. It's not the crisis circumstances that drain us; it’s the slow, steady grind of keeping everything going when everything is mostly working. It's in these moments that true courage is tested – the courage to ask the hard questions, make unpopular decisions, or disrupt what's comfortable.
Warning Signs of Leadership Fatigue
How do you know if you're drifting into complacency? Here are a few warning signs: You’re avoiding the decision you know should be made Your team is asking fewer questions, and you’re relieved rather than concerned You haven’t initiated hard conversations in months Your vision talks have started to feel recycled
These signs are not indicators of bad leaders, but they might signal that you've unknowingly switched to autopilot.
Burnout or Boredom – Neither Happens Overnight
Boredom or burnout in church leadership doesn’t occur suddenly. It happens gradually as we slip into a comfort zone and begin to drift off course, until we find ourselves far from where God initially called us to.
How to Regain the Courage to Lead
So, how do you find the courage to reengage, uphold the health of the church, and continue building healthy teams? Here are some approaches: Initiate challenging one-on-one conversations Request your leadership board to reevaluate a ministry that's outlived its vision Say “No” to something good to create room for something better Acknowledging if you’ve been coasting and make a decision to stop.
The courage to lead doesn't always feel heroic. Most days, it's like choosing slight discomfort over ease, but it's this decision that differentiates true leaders from caretakers.
Steering Back On Course
If you're feeling stuck, bored, or numb in your leadership, it might be time to ask when you stopped leading and started drifting. True leaders don't need a major fallout to get back on course; sometimes, it simply takes the recognition of where and when we began to coast.
Your team needs a leader who is brave and unafraid to take the necessary steps to reengage, recharge, and reignite the flame within.
For more conversation and guidance, join me for today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. Together, let’s navigate the journey from drifting back to fervor in our church leadership roles.
