Overcoming the Negativity Instinct in Church Leadership

One of the challenges church staff often face within their roles is the “negativity instinct"—a tendency to focus on what's wrong rather than celebrating what's going well. This perspective can hinder our growth, dampen our spirit, and prevent us from fully acknowledging all the ways in which our ministry is thriving.

Understanding the Negativity Instinct

As discussed in our recent episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, the negativity instinct is our inclination to believe that things are getting worse, even when facts suggest otherwise. Whether it's declining church attendance, financial struggle, or the ceaseless pressure to do more with less, church staff can easily get caught in a vicious cycle of negativity.

However, by giving in to this instinct, we risk missing out on the joy of celebrating small victories and recognizing God's work in our midst. Moreover, it can lead to burnout and a feeling of hopelessness.

Overcoming the Negativity Instinct

In "Factfulness," Hans Rosling provides practical strategies to combat this negativity instinct. He advises us to expect the bad news and actively seek out good news that promotes hope and progress.

Within a church context, this means we should actively focus on the positive—celebrate when lives are transformed, commend the strides our ministry is making, and share these stories of hope and transformation with others. By purposefully tracking and celebrating our accomplishments, we can help shift our mindset from an instinctual focus on negativity to an intentional focus on growth and transformation.

Next Steps for Transforming Our Perspective

Here are some steps I recommend taking to challenge your own negativity instinct:

1. Practice gratitude: Take time to reflect on the blessings in your life and ministry.
2. Share the good news: Make a conscious effort to share stories of hope and transformation with your staff, congregation, and community.
3. Look for the other side: When confronted with negative news, consider whether there's another perspective or if there are unseen blessings at work.
4. Focus on the long term: Progress often happens slowly and incrementally, but every small step forward is still progress.

By resisting the negativity instinct and choosing to celebrate our small and large victories, we empower ourselves and our church communities. Our God is a God of hope and transformation, and we can choose to focus on His faithfulness and goodness in all situations.

For more in-depth discussion on overcoming the negativity instinct and fostering hope within your church community, tune into today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode.