Healthy Leaders

Every major figure in the Bible talked about the importance of Sabbath. Jesus himself was faithful to practice it. The Bible in both testaments claims it as the key to healthy living — spiritually, mentally and physically. And yet, ministry leaders seldom take it seriously and often dangerously neglect it in our own lives.

Church planters need a healthy balance of sabbath and mission. As church planters, it is very important that we allow time during each day for spiritual rest and solitude from all of the busy distractions of our ministry. The multitude of distractions of ministry will drown out the quiet voice of God within our hearts.

Don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of church planting (or any ministry for that matter). Your best witness and evangelistic tool for your plant is going to be a happy and healthy marriage and family that’s on board with the mission.

I remember once hearing Os Guiness say, ”Whenever I meet a Buddhist leader, I meet a holy man. Whenever I meet a Christian leader, I meet a manager.” It struck me that church planters sometimes let down their guard in the rush to get the new church off the ground. Here are the 7 areas we cannot afford to let go.

I remember realizing, a few months into planting a new church, that I was definitely not spiritually prepared for the work. Since then, I’ve become obsessed with the time I put into listening for and seeking after the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Church planters can be driven, focused and sometimes overly self-confident. These attributes can be helpful, but they can only take you so far.

I was discipled formally through Navigators 2:7 discipleship material. One of the prayer disciplines the material helped develop was a pattern of spending a half day or whole day in prayer.

Church planting is intense and it is exhilarating to take new kingdom ground; however, we need to be sure to keep an eye on our banks. Soil (or soul) erosion happens very subtly.

Now as I look out at the Fall I am excited about the possibilities, I am excited about the impact we will be making in people’s lives. I have the energy to do what needs to be done and make the changes that need to be made in our ministry.

The apostle Paul was a bi-vocational church planter, so shouldn't everyone else interested in church planting today, also? In today's article, Rosario Picardo shares 3 pros and cons of this approach, with the hope that this helps us reflect on how mainline denominations in the United States can produce thriving, healthy churches once again.