The message from this episode is clear: regardless of the scale or success of one's ministry, everyone grapples with fear, and it's essential to confront and address it for personal and spiritual growth.

Praying you enjoy this second episode!

For additional show clips and to subscribe to the audio feed of the podcast, be sure to subscribe to the new YouTube channel and Apple podcast.

Pastors School - New Date!

To register for the Jimmy Evans Pastors School happening March 4-6, 2024—or to find out more information—please visit pastorsschool.com.

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We believe there is an urgency to equip communities for the digital age, confront new-age problems with age-old wisdom, and illuminate the battles of today with insights from the past.

Throughout, a central message remains: while we're engaged in a fierce spiritual battle, it's compassion that will lead the way.

Hope you enjoy this first episode!

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To register for the XL Forum happening October 10-12, 2023, please visit xleadershipforum.com.

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Building a Strong Leadership Foundation

Last week, I wrote Part 1 of an article about church leadership. It shared three biblical patterns of church government and identified a few of the major challenges to healthy church leadership, based on my decades of experience leading both a church and Christian ministry.

Today’s post is Part 2.

As a reminder, here are the three biblical patterns of church government from last week:

• Theocratic Governance (see Acts 6:1-4): A healthy church government starts with a submitted relationship with God. It is crucial that all decisions, plans, and visions originate from God rather than being merely human ideas. By prioritizing God’s guidance, church leaders align themselves with His will, ensuring blessings and success for the church.

• Apostolic and Prophetic Guidance (see Ephesians 2:19-22 and Ephesians 4:11-13): The apostolic gift replicates kingdom DNA in churches, establishing essential standards and doctrines. Apostles have a track record of successfully leading and planting churches. The prophetic gift authenticates God’s work and provides revelation and direction for local leaders and churches. Prophets can be identified by their Christ-like character and accurate hearing/application of God’s guidance.

• Singular Headship and Plural Leadership: A single leader helps set the vision for a congregation of followers of Jesus, and this leader is supported by the wise guidance of others—like a team of elders or deacons. For examples, see Jesus and the Disciples or Peter and the Apostles in Jerusalem.

Four Critical Context Considerations

While those biblical patterns give us three key ways to build strong foundations within our church leadership, we should also consider the context of each ministry. Cities are different. Neighborhoods are different. Congregations are different.

That means there is room for adaptability and contextualization of these models. Different churches may have unique needs and characteristics, and some aspects of governance may even vary across time. Churches are not static entities. What was necessary for your church 10 years ago may not be as critical or helpful today. Continuous evaluation, feedback, and adjustments are essential to ensure that the governance system remains effective and aligned with God’s purposes.

Here are a few important areas to consider:

1. Church Size and Maturity

Churches in various stages of growth and maturity may require different structures of leadership. Smaller, newer churches may benefit from a more hands-on approach. Lead pastors and staff members will often share a variety of responsibilities and areas of ministry. This will result in a “looser” or more flexible system of governance. At the same time, larger, established congregations may require a more elaborate system of leadership. With so many moving parts, multiple ministries, and a broad number of community responsibilities, structure and process will become very important.

2. Congregational Involvement

In some church contexts—especially newer or smaller ones—congregational involvement and decision-making may play a more significant role. Ensuring that members have a voice in certain areas of church governance can foster a sense of ownership and commitment. The strongest churches are strong because of their members and not necessarily their lead pastors.

3. Cultural Diversity

Churches in large cities, highly international neighborhoods, or within multi-generational communities will benefit from a diverse culture. Diversity can make these congregations vibrant and powerful. However, leadership will need to pay close attention to their governance model in order to accommodate and honor different cultural norms and values. This requires intentionality—it’s hard work—but can lead to a more inclusive and harmonious church community.

4. Efficiency vs. Spiritual Oversight

Good leaders value operational and organizational efficiency. Pragmatism matters, and these practical considerations lead to more effective ministries. However, the desire for efficiency must be balanced with spiritual oversight. Church leaders should avoid becoming overly bureaucratic—you don’t want the work of the Spirit to ever be held up by red tape. Remember: Healthy church government is not a rigid system but a dynamic, Spirit-led process that prioritizes God’s will and embraces biblical principles.

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Leadership Without Reproach

While many of my articles have had applications across a variety of leadership positions, this one—and its Part 2 follow-up—is specifically about church leadership. We have seen so many devastating pastoral “falls from grace” and failures of church leadership in recent years that churches need to find a way to operate without reproach.

Regardless of how sincere or talented a church leader may be—or how strong its congregation—sustained growth and success can only be achieved with a healthy church government. In this article, we will explore the biblical patterns of church government and their practical applications in today’s world.

Three Biblical Patterns of Church Government

The New Testament example of the Early Church shows us three key elements for building strong foundations in our communities of faith. I believe we can draw from these ancient examples today.

1. Theocratic Governance

The Early Church sets a significant example of theocratic governance in Acts 6. Here’s the passage:

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”—Acts 6:1-4

Faced with complaints, the early apostles could have chosen fulfilling their responsibilities (serving others) at the expense of their primary duty of prayer and studying God’s Word. Instead, they placed just as much value on the intangible as they did the tangible. They instructed the believers to choose qualified deacons to serve the people while they remained committed to seeking God’s guidance.

This shows us that a healthy church government starts with a submitted relationship with God. It is crucial that all decisions, plans, and visions originate from God rather than being merely human ideas. By prioritizing God’s guidance, church leaders align themselves with His will, ensuring blessings and success for the church.

2. Apostolic and Prophetic Guidance

Two passages in Ephesians highlight the significance of apostles and prophets in the church. Here’s the first:

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.—Ephesians 2:19-22

Ephesians 4 also provides a thought-provoking example:

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…—Ephesians 4:11-13

It’s worth considering why both apostles and prophets are included in Paul’s language. The apostolic gift replicates kingdom DNA in churches, establishing essential standards and doctrines. The prophetic gift authenticates God’s work and provides revelation and direction for local leaders and churches.

They work together, but some churches have neglected these gifts, leading to a decline in growth, attendance and overall health. Embracing apostolic and prophetic guidance is crucial for building a thriving church with a solid foundation, but you might be wondering what that looks like from a practical perspective. How can a local church build its government upon these foundations? How does the church find apostles and prophets?

• Recognize apostles by their track record of successfully leading and planting churches.

• Identify prophets by their Christ-like character and accurate hearing and application of God's guidance.

3. Singular Headship and Plural Leadership

Also evident in the New Testament is the pattern of singular headship supported by plural leadership. In other words, a single leader helps set the vision for a congregation of followers of Jesus, but they are not alone. This leader is supported by the wise guidance of others.

We see this model with Jesus and the Disciples. We also see it with the Early Church led by Peter and the Apostles in Jerusalem. According to this model, a single empowered leader works with a team of elders who contribute to decision-making while providing accountability and oversight.

Challenges to Healthy Church Governance

Even upon adopting and operating according to these biblical leadership models, a church or congregation will face obstacles. Every local church is made up of redeemed sinners. We have been saved and we are following Jesus, but we still have the capacity to make mistakes. That sin nature can get in the way of optimal health.

Here are a few common challenges churches face as a result.

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Leaders Don’t Avoid Confrontation

Occasional confrontation is a reality for anyone in leadership. In fact, avoiding confrontation altogether may be unhealthy. Regardless of your personality or communication style, one of the most critical skills that a leader must acquire is the willingness and ability to address problems when they arise. Conflict avoidance can be detrimental to you, the leader. It can also harm the business, organization or congregation you lead.

In fact, a special health report from Harvard Medical School recently found that the ability to address conflicts—rather than ignoring them or letting them fester—was a critical stress reduction skill.

Yet, many of us struggle with the idea of confrontation, correction, or discipline, especially when it comes to personal relationships. Working in the nonprofit world or even as a pastor, I’ve seen my peers avoid conflict because of insecurity, fear, or simply because it makes them uneasy.

Anyone who works with people on a regular basis needs to learn how to confront and manage conflict in a timely, forthright manner. It’s essential for your own well-being and for the people you serve. Here are a few things I’ve learned about conflict and leadership.

Insights from Scripture

First, as a pastor, I place great value in what the Bible says about confrontation, correction, and discipline. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to start with these truths.

Honest rebuke is more beneficial, in the long run, than flattery:

He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.—Proverbs 28:23

Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.—Proverbs 27:6

Addressing mistakes can solidify relationships:

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’”—Matthew 18:15-16

Growth begins with speaking the truth in love:

…we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head…—Ephesians 4:14-15

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.—Ephesians 4:25-27

Leaders should be prepared to convince and reprimand:

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.—2 Timothy 4:1-2

“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”—Luke 17:3

Jesus himself was described as a confrontational figure who, according to John 1:14, was “full of grace and truth.” These two concepts—grace and truth—must accompany each other. Grace without truth is empty cheerleading. Truth without grace can border on cruelty. In other words, always season your confrontation with kindness and goodness.

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When Confrontation is Necessary

In the corporate world or any organized employee structure, confrontation is sometimes necessary to address issues, foster transparency or drive performance. But before confronting someone, a leader should always assess his or her motivations and weight those against the significance of the issue at hand.

Sometimes confrontation comes from misplaced motivations. Make sure you’re not just venting personal frustration or trying to establish dominance or control. As shown above in the biblical passages correct motivations for conflict resolution include the pursuit of truth, protecting an employee or colleague, strengthening relationships, or protecting the organization from harm. (In the religious world, a pastor may also find it necessary to correct or confront someone to address destructive sin, as mentioned in 1 John 5:16.)

I suggest using these criteria to help decide whether confrontation is necessary:

1. Will the issue negatively affect our personal relationship or the organization if not confronted?

2. Is the problem having a significantly negative effect on the individual or others around them?

3. Will ignoring the situation lead to gossip, rejection, or harmful behavior?

4. Is this issue negatively the reputation of the business, organization or church?

5. Is there a destructive sin involved? (church settings only)

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then confrontation is necessary.

Seven Guidelines for Healthy Confrontation

The following guidelines should be adhered to during confrontation:

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The Power of Effective Communication

Maybe you’re a megachurch pastor. Maybe you’re leading a small, community church. Maybe you’re a Fortune 500 CEO or you’re a general manager in a mid-sized company. Regardless, the ability to communicate effectively is critical to your leadership.

As leaders ascend higher into positions of influence, communication becomes paramount. From slide decks to emails or from encounters in the break room to presentations to an audience of hundreds, your influence depends on your ability to present information clearly.

Most of my leadership experience comes in the context of church leadership and nonprofit leadership. I’ve spoken, on stage, to thousands of people at a time. In that world, communication adds a unique twist. It involves not just conveying ideas, but interpreting and disseminating potentially life-changing religious teachings.

Communicating about the Bible is serious business.

That’s my background, but I believe it applies to all forms of leadership. I developed the list below to help leaders of all kinds, but especially those engaged in preaching, teaching, and speaking within church and ministry settings. But even if you’re communicating in an industry-specific conference or facilitating a board meeting, I think these tips will help refine your communication skills.

These ten key steps will empower you to deliver powerful, resonant, and inspiring messages to your audience.

The Ten R’s of Effective Speaking

1. Research and Prepare Properly

I think of Peter’s instruction often when I’m studying, planning, or praying about a speaking engagement:

…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.—1 Peter 3:15

Preparation is key. For a pastor, this includes both spiritual preparation (prayer, inspiration, and revelation) and personal preparation (study, research, rest, and focus). It also involves your attitude during preparation—one of humility and respect for the nature of what you’re being asked to do.

But preparation matters the same within the secular world. When you take communication seriously, you resist the temptation to “wing it.” When you prepare, you minimize distracting habits like using filler words (“um” or “uh”), over-reliance on notes, and a tendency to use exaggeration to get a point across. Remember, your congregation is more interested in a thoughtful, authentic message than a flashy performance.

2. Respect Your Audience

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). Even with the most powerful message in history, he knew he needed to find kinship with his audience as he delivered it.

This doesn’t mean changing your core message or beliefs, but rather tailoring your presentation to those hearing or reading the message. To whom are you talking or writing? Are you leading or feeding? Are you addressing shepherds or sheep? When you understand your audience, you adapt your delivery to their needs.

3. Be Real

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

There’s a common danger in the church world that arises because pastors often speak to their congregations from an elevated stage or behind an imposing pulpit. This arrangement conveys authority but can also set them apart—literally—from church members. It cements an assumption of spiritual or moral authority, and I’ve seen this arrangement lead pastors down a dangerous path in which ego or showmanship get in the way of their message.

Transparency is the antidote to this potential poison. As a pastor or as an executive, your authentic self is your most powerful tool. Be real. Refuse to hide or soften your rough edges. Share personal stories that expose your humanity, your failures, and your struggles, but make sure they also demonstrate growth and resolve. As a speaker, if your audience doesn't know you better after the message, you’ve missed a golden opportunity to connect on a personal level.

4. Be Relevant

If a pastor is preaching the Word of God, then that message will definitely matter. But every communicator should ask if their message will matter in the lives of the audience. If it doesn’t apply to their daily lives, then why speak about it?

As you do communicate, make sure your message is practical, understandable, and sensitive to the reality of your listeners’ lives. Avoid resorting to religious platitudes or business jargon without giving clear definitions, and guidance on how to apply that teaching to a real-world scenario.

5. Relax and Trust God

Here’s a truth that has meant so much to me when I speak to a crowd: Your audience wants you to succeed. In fact, they will feed off your energy and demeanor.

If you’re overly anxious or rigid, you may miscommunicate your message or feel as if you’ve failed. Remember, your job as a speaker isn’t to control people’s reactions but to communicate clearly to them. For pastors, your job is to faithfully deliver God’s Word and trust the power of that Word to bring about change.

Again, preparation is key here. I advise pastors and ministers, before speaking or teaching, to pray for comfort and peace. On a practical level, it helps to start with a personal story or humor to ease tension.

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6. Reel in Your Audience

I’m no professional fisherman, but I’ve been fishing enough in my life to understand one truth about it: It’s not enough to just hook a fish. “Catching a fish” means getting that fish to shore or to the boat. You haven’t successfully caught a fish until you reel it from one place to another place.

A good speech or sermon doesn’t just capture the attention of your audience, but moves them from one place to another. That might mean understanding a biblical idea better or letting a spiritual teaching take root in their hearts. It might spur them into action or changed behavior.

Beginning your message with a clear and compelling why—a reason for the teaching—is crucial. In other words, you have “sell” your audience on the relevance of your message before you delve into the details.

7. Maintain a Rhythm

Storytelling is an art form, and the best speakers or preachers can talk about any subject and make it compelling and highly listenable. One reason they’re able to do so is because, technically, they understand that they need to hit certain notes. These notes are the basics of good storytelling: drama, humor, sadness, happiness, dramatic pauses, engaging patterns of speech, and so on.

There’s a reason all of these 10 things start with the letter R: I’ve learned that rhythm and repetition are important. But, again, too much of anything can quickly become monotonous. Balance your message with information, revelation, humor, and personal experiences to maintain a dynamic rhythm as you speak. Remember, people can process information much faster than you can say the actual words. That’s why the way you deliver content is as essential as the content itself.

8. Be Relatable

Back to 1 Peter 3:15, consider the “meekness and fear” aspect of that verse. I tend to rely on the New King James Version, but other translations use the phrase “gentleness and respect.” That means speaking with appropriate humility before the topic. Yes, your audience wants to hear a confident message. They want to know you are an expert. But they also want to feel a connection with you.

Make sure your delivery is relational, not overly confrontational and definitely not “holier than thou.” If your personality drastically changes when you’re speaking in public, it can create a barrier between you and your audience. Be passionate, but make sure your passion is conveyed in a spirit of love and respect, not of self-righteousness or aggression.

9. Offer Revelation

Simply put, leave your audience wanting more. At some point in your message, you want them to say, “Wow.”

That’s not so you will impress them or that they will think you are the world’s best communicator, but so they will remember the core of your message. What’s the main takeaway? What key message will move them? Structure your talk around that “Wow” moment. Seek out unique information, facts, stats, or ideas that will stick with your audience.

10. Rest, Reflect, Recharge

This is one of the hardest parts for pastors, and I suspect it is the same for executives or others who operate in the public realm. After you’ve delivered your message, don’t just move to the next thing on your list. Take time to rest and reflect.

For me, at least, public speaking is emotionally and physically taxing. When I finish a message—or a Sunday in which I share the message two or more times—I feel physically tired. My mood sometimes drops as the adrenaline diminishes. Sometimes I’ll worry that I could have communicated better, or I focus on a moment when I stumbled over my words. That’s rarely very helpful.

My message to pastors is this: Trust in God, and ask Him to cultivate the seeds you’ve planted and remove any weeds of misunderstanding. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word of God as “living and powerful.” It is alive. It is active. Allow yourself time to recharge, knowing that the Word of God is still working even while you rest.

Dynamic preaching, teaching, and public speaking involve more than just delivering a message. They are about fostering connections, relating on a personal level, and inspiring people to apply deep, meaningful teachings to their everyday lives.

By embracing these 10 R’s of effective speaking, you can become a more effective communicator and a more impactful leader within your church, organization, business and beyond.~ Jimmy Evans

For paid subscribers ….
Sermon notes and group discussion questions below…

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The link to my actual sermon notes—which this article is based upon—is available for paid subscribers. Look for the link at the bottom of this post.

Before getting into this week’s article I wanted to let you know I’ll be recording a Built for War podcast this month and the first episode will release in September.

There will also be additional posts added each week from other leadership experts starting in September.

Thank you for joining me on this leadership journey as I share with you the knowledge I’ve gained from over 40 years of leading as a Senior Pastor and also as Founder/President of XO Marriage.

Grateful for you and praying the post below helps you grow as a leader!

It Starts with Vision

In today’s world—with constant challenges to spiritual organizations—it has never been more crucial for churches to understand the principles that lead to growth and prosperity. Church growth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about a church’s overall health, spiritual vitality, and faithfulness to God’s vision. This requires looking beyond how many members fill the seats every Sunday and delving into a deeper exploration of the church’s role in the world and its commitment to the Word.

My 40-plus years in church and ministry leadership have convinced me that there are seven core principles that always must be present in a thriving organization. My primary experience is in the Church, but on most cases, these also apply to businesses, nonprofit organizations and other entities.

You’ll notice a couple of themes within this checklist.

One is the centrality of vision. Every church, much like a human being, is imbued with a genetic destiny, a divine blueprint designed by God. Just as a child grows to fulfill his or her potential, so too must a church move towards the divine purpose encoded within it. Likewise, a business must exist to meet a need, provide a key service or fulfill a specific purpose in the world.

Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.” The revelation in this context refers to God’s vision for His people and His church. Success and optimized performance requires alignment with this vision.

The second major principle is related to health and wellness. A lot of churches and businesses will talk about growth, but growth is not always an accurate reflection of health. For instance, a tumor grows aggressively—yet it is a sign of illness, not wellness. Thus, our focus should be primarily on health and not mere expansion. Seeking spiritual or organizational health creates an environment that cultivates sustainable and meaningful growth.

This shift in perspective helps to avoid the pitfalls of growth fixation, which leads to discouragement, vanity, and futile attempts to replicate another’s success. It can also result in compromise. Churches might dilute the core message of faith in a bid to attract more followers. Businesses might cut corners, reduce customer service or stretch too thin in order to maximize profit.

Please share this newsletter with a leader, colleague or pastor you appreciate:

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The Seven-Point Checklist for Church Health

The rest of this article is primarily about church health, but again, I do believe there are some takeaways for leaders in a secular environment.

1. Dependence upon God for Direction and Provision

Inherent in the journey of faith is our need for reliance on God’s direction and provision.

• Divine Direction: Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Churches, as God’s institutions, need to seek His will in everything they do. No decision should be made without prayerful consideration and biblical wisdom. This means acknowledging the limits of human wisdom. The best path forward is often revealed through God’s guidance. Churches should remain open to divine redirection, even when it means changing established plans.

• Divine Provision: Churches should lean on God for provision. This is reflected in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, during which He encourages His followers to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). This provision can be financial (tithes or gifts), human resources (strong leadership or volunteers), or spiritual resources (wisdom or strength). The Church must trust in God’s timing and His ability to provide for its needs, even in challenging circumstances.

• Good Stewardship: Depending on God for provision also requires good stewardship. Churches are called to manage resources wisely, responsibly, and transparently—acknowledging that these resources are gifts from God intended for His work.

• Fostering a Culture of Prayer and Faith: A healthy church cultivates an environment where prayer, faith, and waiting on God are valued and practiced. Churches can cultivate this culture by incorporating communal prayer into their gatherings, teaching about faith and dependence on God, and sharing testimonies of God’s guidance and provision. This sets an example for individual believers, who are encouraged to trust God in their personal lives as well.

2. A Vision from God Clearly Understood and Articulated

A healthy church must have a clearly understood and articulated vision that comes from God. This aligns the efforts of the congregation and keeps the church focused on the intended purpose of their calling.

• Receiving a Vision: As spiritual institutions, churches need to discern their vision from God. This process can take many forms but often involves prayer, meditation on scripture, and seeking the wisdom of godly counsel. The vision needs to be consistent with the overall mission of the Church—to make disciples of all nations, as stated in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)—but should also consider the unique context, needs, and calling of the community.

• Understanding the Vision: For a vision to be effective, it must be understood by the church leadership and the congregation. This understanding should cover the What (end goals) as well as the Why (the biblical and spiritual reasoning behind it). Leaders should invest time in educating the congregation about the vision. This includes regular teachings, discussions, and opportunities to ask questions.

• Articulating the Vision: Articulating the vision involves expressing it clearly and consistently. Beyond mere communication, it requires making the vision resonate with the church members and the community. How does it link to biblical principles? How will it help the church fulfill its spiritual mandate? This information should be clear in messages, on the church website, in strategic planning and—most of all—in the church’s actions. The vision must be more than words. The church should model it within the community.

3. Unity of Belief, Purpose and Mission

Unity is evident in Jesus’ prayer for His followers in John 17:21, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Often referenced as a mark of a healthy church, unity relates to belief, purpose, and mission.

• Unity in Belief: This is a shared understanding and acceptance of fundamental Christian doctrines. This includes beliefs about the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, the significance of the Bible, the nature of salvation, and the mission of the Church. Differences in secondary issues can exist, but these core beliefs are the foundation upon which a church stands. Regular teaching, open discussion, and sound biblical interpretation can help ensure this unity in belief.

• Unity in Purpose and Mission: Church members are not only united in what they believe but also in what they are striving to achieve. Every member understands and is committed to the mission of the church. Unity is fostered when everyone feels they are contributing to a shared mission.

• Unity in Relationships: This is often what people first think of when they hear “unity”—a congregation where love, peace, mutual respect, and cooperation prevail, and where conflicts and divisions are addressed and resolved according to biblical principles. This requires intentional effort to foster a culture of love and forgiveness, promote open and honest communication, and create opportunities for fellowship and shared experiences.

• Unity with the Universal Church: Finally, a healthy church recognizes that it is part of the larger body of Christ, which encompasses all believers worldwide. This involves acknowledging and respecting other Christian traditions, cooperating with other churches in common causes, and promoting a broader sense of Christian community.

4. Anointed, Authoritative Leadership with an Equipping Mentality

The leadership of a church plays an integral role in determining its health and potential to fulfill its divine calling.

• Anointed Leadership: Leaders are chosen and equipped by God Himself for the task of shepherding His people. An anointed leader is someone who has been filled with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:8) and given divine enablement to perform their duties. They operate not merely on human wisdom but with a sense of divine calling and supernatural empowerment, relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, wisdom, and power in all they do.

• Authoritative Leadership: Within the framework of healthy church leadership, this refers to the weight and influence a leader carries due to their spiritual maturity and character (see Hebrews 13:17). Authoritative leadership should not be confused with authoritarian leadership. Healthy leaders serve with integrity, humility, and love. They make decisions with wisdom, confront sin, manage conflicts, and provide spiritual guidance. An authoritative leader is trusted and respected not because of their position but because of their Christ-like character and actions.

• Equipping Mentality: Ephesians 4:11-12 explains that leaders don’t just perform ministry tasks but also equip others to do so. This means helping church members discover their spiritual gifts, providing them with training and resources, and creating opportunities for them to serve. It’s about empowering each person to contribute to the work of the church and participate in its mission.

• Cultivating Future Leaders: A healthy church does not just focus on the present but also plans for the future. Therefore, anointed, authoritative leaders with an equipping mentality are also committed to raising up new leaders. They identify and mentor those with leadership potential, give them responsibilities, and provide feedback and support—ensuring the church will have godly, competent leadership in the years to come.

5. Four-fold Balance

Balance, a fundamental aspect of physical, emotional, and spiritual health, is also a critical element for a thriving church. A healthy church strikes a balance in four crucial areas.

• Balancing the Word and the Spirit: The Word of God, as recorded in the Bible, is the primary source of Christian doctrine. It lays out moral guidelines, provides spiritual wisdom, and serves as the foundation of our faith. On the other hand, the Spirit of God represents the dynamic and living aspect of faith. It speaks to the hearts of believers, inspires their actions, and brings the written Word to life in personal and unique ways. While the Word of God provides the framework, the Spirit of God gives the power to live according to that framework. Both elements are crucial, and neither should be ignored or prioritized over the other. If a church focuses too heavily on the Word without inviting the Spirit’s movement, it can become rigid, legalistic, and devoid of life. Conversely, a church too focused on the Spirit without grounding in the Word can become subjective, erratic, and open to doctrinal error.

• Balancing Truth and Love: These two elements are intertwined in Christian teaching. Jesus Himself embodies this balance, being described as “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Truth, in this context, pertains to the unwavering, unchanging principles and teachings of the Bible that give the church its moral and doctrinal foundation. Love, on the other hand, refers to the kind, compassionate, and forgiving nature that Christians are called to embody. It motivates believers to reach out to others, to forgive, and to show kindness. Truth without love can become harsh, judgmental, and isolating, while love without truth lead to tolerance of sin, compromise, and spiritual stagnation.

• Balancing Singular Headship and Plurality of Leadership: Singular headship refers to the authority and leadership of the pastor, while plurality of leadership involves the collaborative effort of elders, deacons, and other church leaders. Both concepts are vital for a healthy church. An effective balance between singular headship and plurality of leadership prevents dictatorship and the consolidation of power in a single individual. It also guards against the confusion and ineffectiveness that can result from an overly egalitarian model of leadership.

• Balancing the Natural and the Spiritual: The spiritual relates to prayer, faith, divine revelation, and all other unseen or supernatural dimensions of the Christian walk. The natural pertains to practical matters like sound financial management, event planning, community outreach, and building maintenance. When a church is too focused on the spiritual, it may neglect practical matters, leading to inefficiency and disorder. If it leans too heavily on the natural, it may become overly pragmatic, losing sight of faith, prayer, and divine intervention.

6. Concentric Aggression

This strategic approach to ministry outreach starts within the local community and expands outward, like ripples in a pond. The concept draws inspiration from Acts 1:8, where Jesus instructed his followers to be His witnesses, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This signifies starting from one’s immediate environment and extending to broader regions.

• Local Ministry (Jerusalem): In the context of the church, this represents the local community. Churches start their outreach efforts by showing love to their neighbors, meeting immediate local needs and sharing the Gospel.

• Regional Ministry (Judea and Samaria): Once a strong local foundation has been established, the church can then extend its reach to the surrounding areas. This might involve church planting, regional events, or working with other churches and organizations to impact a larger geographic area.

• Global Ministry (Ends of the Earth): The church’s influence should not be confined to its immediate and regional contexts; it should also strive to make an international impact. This could involve supporting international missions, partnering with global organizations, or sending members overseas for short- or long-term mission work.

• Sequential but Simultaneous Outreach: While the Acts 1:8 model appears to suggest a sequential approach, these stages of outreach often overlap in practice. Even as a church continues to minister locally, it can also engage in regional and global ministries. This requires an ongoing balance of resources and attention across all levels of outreach.

7. Positive, Christ-Centered Environment

A Christ-centered church should cultivate an environment that demonstrates the love, grace, and inclusivity exemplified by Jesus Christ. Here, everyone, regardless of background, is welcomed and encouraged to grow in their relationship with God.

• Love and Acceptance: A church must show love, acceptance, and grace, mirroring the teachings of Jesus, creating a space where all people feel valued and accepted regardless of their past or present circumstances. This means going beyond mere tolerance to actively show love, kindness, and understanding to everyone, embodying the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).

• Encouraging Spiritual Growth: A positive environment should inspire spiritual growth and transformation. This involves not only teaching the word of God but also providing practical guidance on how to apply biblical teachings to everyday life.

• Promoting Community and Fellowship: Christ-centered churches understand the importance of community and fellowship, cultivating strong interpersonal relationships, mutual support, and collective growth. This may include regular fellowship events, small group meetings, and community service projects.

• Maintaining Focus: Worship services, ministries, and programs should always point back to Christ and His message of salvation, grace, and love. This keeps the church aligned with its primary mission of spreading the Gospel and glorifying God.

• Upholding Positive Communication: Leaders and members alike should be encouraged to communicate with honesty, respect, and kindness. This involves listening actively, speaking with love, resolving conflicts constructively, and encouraging one another regularly.

• Embracing Diversity: Welcoming and celebrating different cultures, races, ages, and backgrounds not only enriches the church community but also reflects the inclusive love of God for all His creation.

This seven-point checklist shows that a vibrant, healthy church environment doesn't happen by accident; it takes conscious, intentional effort. However, the reward is well worth the effort.

By adhering to these principles, churches can ensure they stay true to their divine blueprint, fostering spiritual health and meaningful growth that ultimately glorifies God. ~ Jimmy Evans

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Comparison is a Toxic Cycle

Many pastors I know spend a lot of time thinking about other pastors and their churches. Many executives I know spend a lot of time watching their competitors. Even managers or team leaders within the same company tend keep an eye on other managers. What are they doing? Where are they succeeding? How much are they earning? What kind of access do they have with the CEO?

Comparison is a common behavior. It helps us evaluate our own abilities or understand our position within a team. It allows for self-assessment and motivates us to improve. Those are positive elements of comparison.

But often, comparison can be profoundly negative. Our self-esteem takes a hit when we find ourselves failing, in our minds, to measure up with others. We become obsessed with status. We identify some people as potential threats. We feel inadequate or envious of others. When comparison causes insecurity and uncertainty, it becomes a negative.

One of the most powerful stories in the Bible about comparison may be one that surprises you at first glance. It’s the story of Peter’s restoration after He denied Christ. It generally gets taught as a story about reconciliation and Peter’s role in the early Church than a story about comparison.

Here’s the passage:

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”—John 21:15-19

Most of us read this exchange and see Jesus restoring Peter through love and grace. It reaffirms the importance of singular devotion to Him, and of Jesus helping Peter realize that actions (“tend My sheep”) are an expression of love. But this biblical account also presents valuable insights into overcoming the curse of comparison.

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Escaping the Comparison Trap

This encounter marks a turning point in Peter’s journey of discipleship because it resolves the relationship between Jesus and His disciple. Prior to this passage, Jesus had been crucified and buried. Then He rose from the dead and appeared to His followers in a variety of settings.

Right before this, the disciples had been together fishing all night when Jesus appeared to them. They caught a miraculous number of fish thanks to Jesus, and then ate breakfast together. The disciples are all present when Jesus pulls Peter aside.

“Simon…do you love Me more than these?” Jesus asks.

Bible teachers and scholars have argued about what “these” refers to in this question, but most agree that Jesus is asking Peter if Peter loves Him more than the others gathered around the fire. It’s a question of comparison, and it’s interesting that Jesus asks the question that way.

Right before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, the disciples had been arguing with each other in the Upper Room about which one of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24-27). It wasn’t a good look. But Jesus knew comparison had been on their minds. They struggled with status, even within a small group of 12.

All of us share that struggle. Whether conscious or subconscious, we tend to compare our blessings, achievements, and even our challenges with those of others. We long for equality or superiority, and any perceived inadequacy often leads to feelings of discontentment. This fosters a toxic cycle of comparison. Jesus may have been getting at this in His initial question of Peter.

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“What is that to you?”

The story of Peter’s reconciliation to Jesus, however, doesn’t end with verse 19 and Jesus saying, “Follow Me.” There’s more:

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”—John 21:20-23

Jesus offers profound words about Peter’s future, then Peter looks back and immediately compares himself with John. “What about that guy?” he asks Jesus.

In responding to Peter, Jesus reveals a divine lack of sympathy for this comparison trap. He literally says, “What is that to you?” Here, Jesus underscores that the torment of comparison is unnecessary and entirely self-perpetuated. Jesus has a plan for Peter. Jesus His own plan for John, too, and that plan should have no impact on Peter’s obedience or calling.

God’s answer to the problem of comparison is simple: stop comparing!

When comparison generates arrogance or insecurity, it can shift our focus from God’s unique plan for us onto worldly things. Romans 8 underscores the importance of setting our minds on “things of the Spirit” rather than obsessing about others:

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.—Romans 8:3-8

This scripture suggests that unhealthy comparison stems from a carnal, non-spiritual mindset, which gets in the way of our relationship with God. Comparison prevents us from being content with who we are, what we have, and where we are in life. It breeds resentment towards others who possess what we covet. It pushes us to strive to become what we are not, potentially abandoning our true calling.

James 3 goes even further:

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.—James 4:14-16

This passage links envy and self-seeking—the root of comparison—to confusion and evil. James says it’s demonic in origin! Comparison holds destructive power in our hearts. It’s a gateway for the enemy to wreak havoc in our lives.

Contentment and Fulfillment

Elsewhere in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds the Church that all members of the body of Christ have different gifts. We all have unique roles to play in the Kingdom of God. It is not about who is superior or more influential; instead, it's about playing our part in God’s grand design.

The business world works in a similar fashion. Whether you lead a small business or a large one, I’m pretty sure there is no one person on your team who can do everything. (Even sole proprietors tend to outsource accounting, legal and other specialty responsibilities.)

On a true team, everyone has a role. Most of us have talents that make us good at that role. If we could do everything, we wouldn’t have employees. We wouldn’t need multiple pastors or ministers on a church staff. We wouldn’t need a large team.

To overcome comparison, we need to recognize that everyone is uniquely equipped and no one person has it all. For this reason, we should desire to make a significant impact rather than trying to build a vast influence. Furthermore, we should appreciate that God bestows profound gifts upon those we least expect. This understanding helps foster humility and celebrate diversity within the body of Christ or among your employees.

In the words of Jesus to Peter, our singular focus should be this: “Follow Me.” We each have a unique journey with God, a distinct path that can’t be compared to another’s. Our contentment and fulfillment lie in following Jesus and embracing His unique plan for us. When we compare ourselves with other pastors, other executives, or other leaders, Jesus says, “What is it to you?”

The Comparison Cure

Reaching our full potential as leaders starts with breaking free from the bondage of comparison. Based on the story above—and my four decades in church and nonprofit leadership—I have found there are four distinct ways to combat comparison:

1. Acceptance and gratitude: Thank God for who He made you to be. Acknowledge the gifts He has given you and learn to embrace them. Identify what you’ve accomplished so far and what it took for you to get there. When we start appreciating our unique qualities and stop wishing we were like others, we begin to break the chains of comparison.

2. Trust God with your journey: Trust God with your needs, desires, and your journey of becoming the person He wants you to be. Ultimately, we find our worth in being children of God, not in our accomplishments, possessions, or societal status. God’s opinion of us is the only one that truly matters.

3. Trust God with others: Worry about your spiritual journey and not the pathways of others. Let God work in others’ lives without your becoming envious. When you say, “What about this person?” Jesus ignores the question and says, “Follow Me.”

4. Stay focused and use your gifts: We can proclaim our love for God all day long—and we should—but Jesus kept telling Peter that love finds its fullest expression in action (“Feed My sheep”). We show appreciation for our gifts by using them. Do what you do well. Be a blessing, but also celebrate others’ blessings. Strive to be a giver and an encourager.

Show gratitude, follow God’s path for you, trust Him with others and bless others with the gifts you’ve been given. This is the road to healing and true self-acceptance. Remember, the more secure we are in God, the less dependent we are on others to make us secure. Let’s walk in the love and peace God promises us, free from the shackles of comparison.

Paul sums this up in Galatians:

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.—Galatians 6:4-5

This is the antidote to comparison—owning our own work and rejoicing in the gifts we’ve been given. That’s what it means to carry our own load as we move from comparison to contentment, focusing on the unique calling and path that God has set before us. ~ Jimmy Evans

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The Retreating Church

I am a pastor. It’s part of who I am. In many ways, it is my identity. I’ve spent nearly 50 years in some sort of leadership role in a church and/or ministry setting, and what I am seeing today alarms me. My Built for War Leadership Journal is for leaders in all kinds of environments, but I want to start this article by sharing my perspective about the Church. Even if you are not a churchgoer, stay with me, because I promise these lessons will apply to you and your team.

In the United States, local church congregations are struggling. The potential impact for our nation has me concerned. Consider these alarming facts:

• Around 3,500 churches close their doors permanently each year.

• Four out of five churches in America have either plateaued or are declining, with only 20 percent experiencing growth.

• Approximately 200 million people do not attend church on a regular basis, making the United States one of the four largest “unchurched” nations in the world, believe it or not.

That’s not all. Here are six additional facts about the steady decline church attendance in America:

1. Less than 20 percent of Americans regularly attend church.

2. Church attendance in only one state, Hawaii, is outpacing its population growth.

3. Mid-sized churches are shrinking, though the smallest and largest churches are growing slowly.

4. Established churches—those between 40 to 190 years old—are generally declining.

5. The increase in churches is far from sufficient to keep up with population growth.

6. By 2050, the percentage of the US population attending church is predicted to be about half of what it was in 1990.

A Pew Research Center survey from nearly 10 years ago puts these numbers into perspective:

In 2007, there were 227 million adults in the United States, and a little more than 78% of them—or roughly 178 million—identified as Christians. Between 2007 and 2014, the overall size of the U.S. adult population grew by about 18 million people, to nearly 245 million. But the share of adults who identify as Christians fell to just under 71%, or approximately 173 million Americans, a net decline of about 5 million. This decline is larger than the combined margins of sampling error in the twin surveys conducted seven years apart. Using the margins of error to calculate a probable range of estimates, it appears that the number of Christian adults in the U.S. has shrunk by somewhere between 2.8 million and 7.8 million.

Keep in mind that these are 2014 numbers. The 2014 study was the last in a series of surveys of more than 35,000 Americans from all 50 states about their faith, beliefs and practices. These are not the latest statistics. This doesn’t account for the so-called rise of the nones, the decline in church attendance due to the pandemic, the chaos in major denominations like the United Methodist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention, and other post-pandemic struggles by our religious institutions.

The 2014 numbers are alarming, and things have only gotten worse.

Losing the Battle

If I were to put these statistics into the context of the business world, I would call this a pretty negative performance appraisal. The Church is failing. It is not meeting expectations. It is not delivering wins or contributing up to its potential. It has so, so many areas that need improvement.

As a senior pastor and leader of an international marriage ministry, one of the things I’ve often found myself discussing in employee performance reviews or team evaluations is the idea of identity. The best employees know who they are. Their roles within a company, organization or team are spelled out distinctly, so these employees understand exactly what is expected of them. They have a purpose and they work hard to fulfill that purpose on a team.

You have to know who you are in order to fulfill your role.

The core issue facing the Church right now lies in its identity. It is failing not because it lacks the ability to succeed, but because it has forgotten who it is. The Church is acting outside God’s purposes. As a result, it’s not growing. It’s losing relevance. God’s promised blessings seem distant. The Church has lost influence and the public has lost interest.

If the Church were a business, it would be nearing acquisition and restructuring at best, and total bankruptcy at worst.

And yet, the Bible promises victory in Christ. In the war between good and evil, God wins. That’s the message of the Book of Revelation, and you can find the language of warfare, battles and victory all over the Bible. Ultimate victory may belong to God, but right now, in the United States, the Church is far from winning. It is retreating. We’re losing the battle.

The Language of War

You’ll notice the language in the previous paragraph is wrapped up in the language of war. Previous cultures placed great value on valor, courage, war and warfare. From the ancient Greeks and Romans and warrior cultures like the Vikings to the knights of medieval Europe and the samurais of the East, military prowess has for centuries been considered a significant virtue. We love heroes and we glorify excellence in battle.

That was then. This is now. And in this day and age, we don’t attach such positive descriptions to the idea of armed conflict. Peace and diplomacy have replaced war as desirable outcomes.

I’m not saying this is a bad thing. War is terrible. Ask any U.S. veteran about the violence of war and you’ll likely hear some version of how horrific it is (if they answer you at all). Many soldiers still carry literal and virtual scars with them due to that violence. War is nothing to praise mindlessly.

But it also occurs to me that the language the Bible uses in describing the Church and its role in the world is profoundly based on wartime concepts. You can’t avoid the theme of violence and militancy in these descriptions. Like it or not, if the Church needs to rediscover its identity—who we are and God’s created purpose for us—then that identity can be found in a military mindset.

That leads me to a theological concept called the Law of First Mention.

The Law of First Mention

In the world of biblical interpretation, the Law of First Mention suggests that the first occurrence of a word, phrase, or concept in the Bible sets the tone for that term throughout the rest of Scripture. In other words, it establishes the primary meaning of the concept. The idea is that the initial appearance of a word in the Bible contains foundational principles or insights that help us interpret it throughout all the Bible.

Much of this language falls into the category of warfare. Here are a few examples:

The First Man (John the Baptist): John the Baptist was the first man of the New Testament era, whose birth separated the Old Testament from the New. As described in Scripture, he initiated a spiritual invasion from heaven to reclaim the earth from the devil’s dominion and restore it under God’s authority. The Church of today must embrace this military mindset to combat the enemy’s attacks.

The First Mention (Building the Church): The first mention of the Church is Jesus’ statement in Matthew 16. Here’s what He says:

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”—Matthew 16:18-19

Again, look at the military language. The words of Jesus emphasize the Church’s nature as an invasive force against the “gates of Hades,” or hell. The Church is meant to destroy his strongholds and set people free from bondage.

The First Mission (Seventy Disciples): In Luke 10, Jesus appoints 70 of His disciples and sends them out ahead of Him to spread His message. To these missionaries, He granted authority “to trample on serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:19), symbolizing the power they possess to confront the enemy and overcome the power of evil. Again, this is not the language of diplomacy or peace but of aggression.

The First Mandate (Count the Cost): In Luke 14, as great multitudes began to follow Jesus, he challenged them with the truth that discipleship isn’t easy. Specifically, He tells them that following Him requires a military mentality:

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?”—Luke 14:31

The Church must hate the enemy while loving people with great compassion. Armed with the authority and power given by Jesus, the people of God become an invasive force. Instead of waiting for them to walk in the doors, the Church brings the battle to them.

What Does This Mean for Leaders?

If the Church is failing in today’s society, it can reclaim its birthright of victory by embracing its true warrior identity. It must see evil for what it is and hate the enemy. It must set free the lost and hurting. Under the victorious banner of Jesus, it must claim His authority and power. And it must go out in battle with as a strategic, invading force, equipping believers to minister within their communities and therefore expand the influence of the Church.

Like any good general, the leaders of the Church—today’s pastors—must inspire, equip and lead their congregations into action. The Church is not a set of buildings but a gathering of committed people, and only when those people refuse passivity and take action can the Church influence its culture and community for good.

We are built for war, and only when we embrace who we are as warriors will we see the transformation and growth that could be ours.

How to Achieve Victory

That’s a message for the Church. But it’s also a message for today’s leaders in business, charity, education and politics.

• Do you know who you are? Are you secure in your identity?

• Do you know what is expected of you? Do your team leaders and employees know what you expect of them?

• Does your organization or company understand its purpose?

• Do you have a strategy or vision toward which you are all moving as a cohesive unit?

Today’s leaders may not always view it in the context of military might, but we are built for war. We succeed when we use our weapons and tactics to our advantage. We achieve great things when we know who we are, where we are going, and what it takes to achieve victory—whatever that victory might look like.

This mindset applies to the flailing Church today, and I believe it also applies to leaders of every business, charity, team and workplace. Successful leaders almost always have a military mentality.

If you’re losing the battle…

If your business or organization seems to be retreating…

If you’re struggling with passive team members…

If you find yourself hiding in a defensive crouch rather than surging forward in an invasion…

…then this is the newsletter for you.

You are built for war. To be a successful leader, you have to understand this part of your identity. Subscribe to this newsletter and I’ll help you do just that.~ Jimmy Evans

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Leadership is Not About the Leader

Some of you reading this article are business leaders or executives who attend a Christian church. Some are even pastors or ministers. But I know not all of my readers may come from a religious background, and for the purposes of this article, that’s OK.

I’ve been in leadership for more than four decades as a pastor, so I always find myself looking to leadership lessons from the Bible. And whether you’re a Bible reader or not, I think you can find something of value in today’s article.

It’s about Jesus Christ, the most popular and effective leader in world history. Jesus laid down a paradigm of leadership that transcends time and circumstance—and even religion, if you’re open-minded enough to learn from His example.

There’s no question that Jesus left an enduring legacy and transformed the world. Today, He’s followed by billions of people around the world who have committed their lives to Him out of love and admiration. But Jesus’ pattern of leadership was unlike any other in history. It wasn’t defined by the quest for power or wealth but by service to others—plus a willingness to undertake difficult tasks.

Jesus made this promise to His followers:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”—John 14:12

He set the standard for leadership in a way that called us to impact our world positively through how we live and lead. We can follow His example, and Jesus understood that true leadership is not about the leader but those they lead.

The Power of Love in Leadership

From the very start of his ministry, Jesus loved first. In fact, He was always the first one to show love. John 13:1 says, “having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” Love is the cornerstone of Christ-like leadership. It creates a relationship characterized by respect, value, and mutual growth rather than exploitation.

I’ve found that secular leadership is often motivated by selfish ambitions, including the quest for money and success. But as Jesus demonstrated, the most enduring and transformative leadership is borne out of love. His disciples followed Him, but not to gain traditional success or wealth. Jesus did not make his followers rich, nor did he offer them material possessions. Judas Iscariot, the only disciple motivated by money, ultimately betrayed Jesus for a few silver coins, cementing his place in history. This underlines the stark contrast between worldly and spiritual motivations.

The followers of Jesus followed Him out of love. Love bound them together.

The attorney James E. Hughes has written a fascinating book called Family Wealth: Keeping It in the Family. He observes that most families fail to preserve their wealth across generations because they have the wrong value systems. The families that successfully preserved their wealth reflected virtues such as truth, beauty, goodness, community, compassion, and—transcending all these—love. For them, money served to enhance the family’s mutual love, rather than the family making decisions in service of the money.

This same principle applies to leadership: love for those we lead should take precedence over personal gain or success.

The Importance of Servant Leadership

The Last Supper is one of the best-known scenes in the earthly ministry of Jesus. You may be familiar with the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, but do you know the biblical account behind it?

Right before His crucifixion, Jesus and the disciples gathered for a meal together. But the disciples were distracted. Oblivious to the suffering Jesus was about to endure, they argued about who was the greatest among them. Imagine that: While spending time with someone who would change the world, they could only think about themselves and their own meager influence.

Yet Jesus was secure in His identity, authority, and destiny, so He took action:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.—John 13:3-4

He assumed the role of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. This act highlighted a style of leadership that prioritizes the needs of others over personal gain or power. This is servant leadership. And paradoxically, by relinquishing power through an act of sacrifice and service, the leader takes on an even more powerful role.

Leadership marred by insecurity seeks position and power. It’s driven by fear, jealousy, or control. But secure leaders are confident in their authority. They know who they are. They know what they are capable of and they know where they are going. This frees them up to serve others, and in the process, these leaders build deep and lasting relationships.

The Willingness to Take on Unpleasant Tasks

Jesus not only showed His love by serving the disciples, but He was also the first to undertake unpleasant tasks. Consider what it meant to wash the disciples’ feet. This wasn’t a time when staying clean was easy. Every path was made of dirt and dust. Bathing was rare. Shoes were different—if they were worn at all.

This made for filthy feet, no matter who you were.

But it wasn’t just that. From cleansing the Temple and confronting the corruption of religious leaders to healing lepers and ministering to outcasts, Jesus consistently loved people who were hard to love, and took on difficult tasks no one else wanted to or could do. (Ultimately, this included dying for the sins of humanity—an example of love and sacrifice that Christians have been trying to follow ever since.)

Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, where the least are the greatest and sacrifice is the path to power. In that world, as one ascends into leadership, responsibilities increase while rights decrease. This dynamic runs contrary to the world’s leadership model, in which rights increase and responsibilities decrease with each ascent toward power. But true leaders—those who learn from the example of Jesus—will love when they aren’t loved back, will strive for peace amidst conflict, will take responsibility for messes they didn’t make, will puts others’ needs before their own, and will treat people with dignity even when those people only show them contempt.

The life and leadership of Jesus Christ provide an enduring model for believers. Our world is in dire need of this kind of love-driven servant leadership. By doing the right thing first, we can indeed transform our world—one act of love and service at a time.

Practical Ways to Lead Like Jesus

To become a leader like Jesus is a call to every believer, but it’s powerful enough that even secular leaders recognize the value of servant leadership. It’s not about performing miracles. It’s about how many lives we can influence for good, and how we can transform our world through the way we live and lead. The following characteristics are critical to that kind of leadership:

1. True Servanthood

Leading like Jesus means choosing to serve first. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

You may not give your life “as a ransom,” but you can strive to serve others rather than demanding that they serve you. This requires putting the needs of others before our own and leading with humility and grace. It means making sacrifices for the betterment of those we are leading.

2. Love and Compassion

Love and compassion were the cornerstones of Jesus’ leadership. He showed compassion for the sick, the poor, the oppressed, and even for those who persecuted Him. He loved everyone whether they returned that love or not.

Leaders in the church world or the business world should strive for similar examples of love and compassion. This can be as simple as showing empathy when someone is going through a difficult time, or as complex as making tough decisions that are best for the people we are leading—even when those ideas are unpopular.

3. Forgiveness

Jesus embodied forgiveness. He forgave those who betrayed Him, denied Him, and even those who crucified Him. As leaders, it’s crucial that we also practice forgiveness without qualifications or limitations. This means forgiving those who may have wronged us or made mistakes. Grudges are common in the business world, but holding onto resentment or anger only hinders our ability to lead effectively.

Unforgiveness is like an umbilical cord into your past that only fuels you with bitterness. Forgiving others clips that cord and empowers you to lead with love.

4. Empowerment of Others

Jesus worked to equip his disciples and encouraged them to spread His teachings. He didn’t hoard power or keep His followers dependent on Him. Instead, He shared His wisdom, gave the disciples the tools they needed, and ultimately sent them out into the wider world to share the message of the Gospel. Jesus encouraged them to become leaders themselves.

We can do the same by giving others opportunities to grow, learn, and take on leadership roles.

5. Rootedness in Wisdom

Jesus was a student of the Old Testament. He quoted it frequently. He cited it when He taught and preached. He used Scripture to guide His decisions and teachings and let it inform His actions. Regardless of one’s spirituality or faith tradition, a true leader will always seek wisdom and draw from the time-tested ideas and experiences of others.

Christian leaders in particular should stay rooted in the Bible, seeking guidance and wisdom from Scripture.

6. Committed to Integrity

Jesus was a leader of high authenticity and integrity. He was genuine, truthful, and consistent in His words and actions. Leaders of integrity will also cultivate these qualities, adhering to a strong moral and ethical code and consistently demonstrating trustworthiness and a commitment to doing the right thing.

People will only trust and follow leaders who are honest and transparent, and who remain true to their word.

7. Authentic Humility

Jesus was the perfect example of humility. Despite being the Son of God, He never sought to exalt Himself or flaunt His own power. Instead, the Gospels describe Him using words like “meek” and “lowly.” Like Jesus choosing to wash His disciples’ feet, we must also strive to display humility in our actions. We are not superior to those we lead, and we recognize that every role is important.

Leading like Jesus is about more than just assuming a position of power or gathering followers. It’s about using our influence and our gifts in service to others. It’s about showing love and compassion, forgiving others, empowering and equipping those who look to us as an example, and to live with integrity and humility.

Regardless of their religious beliefs or culture, a true leader will reflect the leadership qualities of Jesus Christ—the greatest leader in history—especially in the pursuit of servant leadership. As we strive to become more like Jesus, we can transform our communities, our societies, and ultimately, the world.~ Jimmy Evans

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The link to my actual sermon notes—which this article is based upon—is available for paid subscribers. Look for the link at the bottom of this post.

In Pursuit of Credentials

What makes for a successful spiritual leader? That’s the question religious communities have been asking throughout history. But defining that leader and/or developing one is no simple task. Today, most churches and religious communities identify their leaders using traditional benchmarks such as apostolic commendations, church associations, or educational qualifications. And those are respected ways to measure a leader—or at least to grasp their credentials.

But a deep dive into the teachings of the Apostle Paul reveals a more nuanced and authentic perspective on spiritual leadership. It doesn’t involve expensive theology degrees, letters behind a name, or stamps of approval from a governing body.

In his letters to the Corinthian church, Paul displays his apostolic authority outside of conventional pathways. His baseline credentials are simple: leading a transformed life that positively impacts others. His teachings in 2 Corinthians 3 provide a roadmap for successful spiritual leadership, a model that has helped many spiritual leaders overcome the greatest stumbling blocks in their paths.

According to Paul, authentic leadership starts and ends with two things: dependence on the Holy Spirit and the profound significance of changed lives. Let’s explore that in this article.

The Conventional Standards

During the early days of the Church, evidence of one’s adequacy for leading a community of believers was established with letters of commendation. These might come from one or more of Jesus’ disciples in Jerusalem, or from already established notable leaders elsewhere in the rapidly expanding community of Christ-followers. Modern communication methods didn’t exist back then, so these hand-written letters held substantial weight.

But letters written on parchment and passing across long distances can be copied, forged or edited. Their excessive use to distinguish between authentic leaders and charlatans quickly became problematic. How could early Christians know it really was Peter or John who signed these letters?

Paul rejected these conventional measures of authenticity and adequacy. Instead, he set forth two essential standards of true spiritual leadership—standards that weren’t as easy to fake.

Understanding and accepting these standards is vital for successful leadership. But over the centuries of church history, some Christian communities have dismissed them altogether. Instead of credentials, they became stumbling blocks.

My Journey into Spiritual Leadership

That was definitely true for me early in my personal journey into spiritual leadership. For twelve years, I grappled with my “official” qualifications, often feeling confused and discouraged. I came close to rejecting my spiritual calling.

When I first gave my life to Christ at 19, I was directed by God to work in my family business instead of attending seminary. So I kept working 40 hours a week while leading a church cell group. I was good in a small-group setting—it felt natural to me—and before long my church asked me to serve as a marriage counselor on the church staff.

It’s a long story that I’ve told elsewhere, but before long I found myself thrust into the role of a senior pastor for a young, substantial and quickly growing church. Through all this, I had no conventional “letters.” I didn’t have a seminary degree. I didn’t have any formal religious training. But the church I pastored grew to more than 9,000 members, and my wife, Karen, and I started (and still lead) the largest marriage-focused ministry in the world.

When I tell that story, the responses are always interesting. Some people are astonished by it. I’ve been told it’s “miraculous.” I’m not sure I would describe it that way, but I do believe it is the work of divine providence. That’s undeniable, but there's another factor at play. By bypassing conventional routes into ministry, I had the opportunity to grasp, embody, and promote the true standards of spiritual leadership as delineated by Paul.

I didn’t learn spiritual leadership in a classroom. I learned it in the halls of our church building and the homes and hospital rooms of our members.

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Today’s Standards are Failing

Much like the early church, today’s churches, especially in America, place an excessive emphasis on official credentials. They aren’t literal letters from apostles. But some of them are actually “letters.” Do you have a PhD or an MDiv behind your name? For many Christian communities, that qualifies you to lead.

There are also a few other qualifying credentials in our culture, like the size of a ministry, the endorsement of church or mission associations, or any number of acceptable titles (like “senior pastor” or “Reverend”).

But you can’t find the true essence of spiritual leadership in a title, a degree, or a church building.

The Two Standards of True Spiritual Leadership

1. Authenticity through Transformation: The measure of a true spiritual leader can be found in the lives changed for God through them. In 2 Corinthians 3:2, Paul writes, “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men.” This standard rejects the traditional reliance on literal letters or credentials, focusing instead on meaningful transformation brought into others’ lives. Jesus Himself lived this standard, as demonstrated in Matthew 11:1-6. He affirmed His authenticity through actions: healing the sick, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor.

2. Adequacy through Dependence: The key to success in ministry starts with dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Paul highlighted this in 2 Corinthians 3:4-9, in which he disavows any adequacy inherent in his abilities or gifts (“our sufficiency is from God”). Instead, he points to the power of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing His role in equipping us with knowledge, power, and abilities where we are deficient. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is the only true standard of adequacy for a spiritual leader. Unfortunately, the modern Church often overlooks or rejects this qualification in favor of more tangible achievements or credentials.

Defining Adequacy

In today’s culture, “adequacy” isn’t a strong word. Saying someone is “adequate” for a task implies that they are merely satisfactory. They might do an OK job, but they won’t knock it out of the park. In our world, being adequate is not very exciting.

But that’s not what Paul is saying. He’s using the language of humility and powerlessness to talk about spiritual sufficiency—our competence and fitness to perform the tasks God has called us to do.

The majority of us feel inadequate because, without the Holy Spirit, we truly are! But as empty vessels allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, we can change the world.

There are generally three ways people react to feelings of inadequacy:

1. They avoid risk, and therefore avoid ministry altogether.

2. They pursue commendations or the instant approval of theology degrees—the modern version of early Church “letters”—to gain a false sense of competence. Unfortunately, this gets corrupted by dependence on religious performance and adherence to the Law rather than the Spirit.

3. They depend upon the Holy Spirit for fitness to serve God, seeking His strength in their weakness and His wisdom in their ignorance. This is true humility but also true power. It’s the only standard of a leader’s adequacy or sufficiency, yet it is often rejected by the modern church.

Number 1 will result in passivity. You’re not going to change the world if you avoid risk.

And Number 2 results in a dangerous kind of religious performance. Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians, writing “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). He refers to self-sufficient religious performance as “the ministry of death” (verse 7) and “the ministry of condemnation” (verse 9) because this approach leads to an endless cycle of striving.

You never accomplish enough. You’re never wise enough. You’re never good enough. You never feel like enough, because your sufficiency only comes through God.

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Why Don’t We Depend on the Spirit?

Like Moses and Paul, most of us allow fear of failure, rejection, or our perceived inadequacies to keep us from embracing our dependence on the Holy Spirit. We try to create human solutions for our shortcomings instead of leaning on God’s provision and strength. God recognized this in Moses and reassured him this way:

So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”—Exodus 4:11-12

Yonggi Cho was a prominent South Korean pastor who founded Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. It became one of the largest churches in the world and had a huge impact on the expansion of Christianity in South Korea. At one point he was leading a 700,000-member church.

Someone once asked him the secret of his success. He simply replied, “I pray and obey.”

Or look at the life of the disciple Peter, whom the Holy Spirit transformed from a timid fisherman into a pillar of the Church. After denying Christ (see Matthew 26), Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, became a man whose very shadow healed people.

Shifting Our Focus

I still don’t have a theology degree, by the way. No one will ever call me “Dr. Jimmy Evans.” But I believe my career in ministry shows that those worldly standards aren’t necessary. Education can be powerful, but it is not infallible. Letters of recommendation from an association or letters of achievement from a university or seminary don’t guarantee any kind of success.

It’s imperative, therefore, that we as the church shift our focus back to the original standards of leadership which Jesus and the early Church emphasized. Let’s be leaders who don’t identify success by worldly credentials but by lives transformed through our ministry. Our adequacy should never be rooted in self-reliance but fueled by our dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

If your actions aren’t bringing about change in the lives of others—or if you’re not leaning into the Spirit for strength and guidance—you might want to reassess your approach.

Embracing these two fundamental leadership standards doesn’t just pave the way for authentic spiritual leadership. It also aligns us with God’s divine purpose for our lives. Diplomas don’t change lives. Institutional approval doesn’t change lives. Only the Holy Spirit changes lives, and that’s why true spiritual leaders must depend on Him. ~ Jimmy Evans

Please share this newsletter with a leader, colleague or pastor you appreciate:

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The link to my actual sermon notes—which this article is based upon—is available for paid subscribers. Look for the link at the bottom of this post.

The Making of a Senior Pastor

I am a pastor. It’s been central to my identity for nearly five decades, and I believe that being a pastor is one of the greatest callings in life. It is a vocation unlike any other. I didn’t set out to become a pastor. I started out working in the appliance business. That was a choice, but being a pastor is unlike most careers. You don’t choose it. It chooses you. A pastor navigates a world teeming with unique challenges. You’re pressed upon from all directions and it requires a delicate blend of character, anointing, and skills to thrive.

All pastors are going to have different personalities, just like every leader is cut from a different cloth. But there are certain indispensable traits that underpin a successful senior pastor. Here are ten of them that have become clear to me:

1. The Anointing of Headship

In the Old Testament, God used anointing oil to set apart the high priest for the work of the Lord (see Exodus 30). Applying oil in this way symbolized the anointing of headship. It also had ties to power and protection. This holy anointing manifests in three key ways. It fosters natural recognition as a leader. It bestows life to those around you. And it offers divine blessings and protection. For senior pastors, this anointing fuels passion for God’s work and defends against stress, burnout, and frustration. The headship of pastors, in the context of the Church, is characterized by an overall vision for the Church, grace in governance, and security in delegating authority and ministry.

2. The Authority of Headship

There are four types of headship authority—delegated, earned, natural, and spiritual authority—and a successful senior pastor must embrace all of them. Delegated authority matches responsibilities and is real, significant, and measurable. Earned authority comes through exemplary leadership and submission. Natural authority manifests when a leader operates in areas of gifts and anointing. Spiritual authority stems from obedience to divine guidance.

3. Submission to God

No senior pastor should pursue the work for personal gain or ambition. Instead, he should be submissive to God in every part of life. Central to this is an active prayer life that obeys Christ and isn't driven by fears or false motivation. The senior pastor should display a strong commitment to seeking and following divine guidance in every decision—and every action resulting from those decisions.

4. Domestic Integrity

I believe a pastor’s relationship to church members will never exceed his own relationship to family. A healthy, balanced commitment means the value placed on marriage and family must surpass that placed on ministry. This flies in the face of a common (but unbiblical) belief that ministry takes precedence over everything else. To be honest, this sets the pastor up for failure. Sometimes it looks like moral compromise. Sometimes it looks like family conflict or marriage problems. The pastor’s family should be shielded from the demands of ministry and not placed under undue pressure to perform or please others. God will not bless your church more than you bless your home.

5. Bearing the Standard

Many pastors spend their energies in a reactive manner rather than proactive. This might be a personality flaw or it might be operating out of fear rather than faith. But a successful senior pastor should bear the standard for the church. True leadership means transferring both vision and values to key leaders. It also requires confrontation and correction on all levels. You can’t be a standard bearer and take a passive approach to ministry.

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6. Releasing and Equipping

No healthy, successful church can be a one-man show. A successful senior pastor focuses on the Word of God and prayer, but they also releases ministry to the people by equipping their team members and congregation to serve according to their own gifts and callings. This might look like building a cell ministry structure rather than a top-down leadership structure. This mentality empowers others to live out their callings and contribute to the overall health and growth of the church.

7. Team Mentality

Successful leaders emphasize collaboration. Adopting a team mentality, grounded in biblical principles, always leads to more effective ministry, better decision-making, and a culture of resilience and humility. The strengths of a senior pastor will complement the strengths of their team members, sharing both burdens and successes. This reduces stress and burnout and leads to greater results.

8. Real Accountability

Leadership can be isolating—my decades as a senior pastor showed me this reality—but even leaders like Joshua had the support of Aaron and Hur to help them achieve success (see Exodus 17). True accountability may look different according to a pastor’s church structure, but it requires submission to godly, local eldership, overseers or deacons. It requires maintaining relationships with trans-local authority figures as well, especially those in similar positions and with similar responsibilities. Ultimately these relationships provide a safe place to talk, receive ministry, and maintain a check-and-balance system within church leadership.

9. Character Above Gifts

Gifts or talents may be spectacular, but character matters most. A successful senior pastor will see the value in their own character while prioritizing character in others—especially above giftings in key positions. This is critical for a healthy church, but it’s also a common point of failure. When you promote someone based solely on their gifts, talents or capabilities, you’ll often exacerbate existing problems instead of solving them. Character matters.

10. A Balance of Grace and Truth

Grace without truth is empty cheerleading. Truth without grace is calloused and cruel. A successful senior pastor needs both, and finds a sustainable balance between grace and truth. Students of Scripture will find this balance echoing through the three major biblical offices—prophet, priest, and king. It underpins the overall health and effectiveness of pastoral leadership.

Can you identify with these traits? Do you see them in your own ministry, relationships and leadership?

The role of senior pastor is difficult work but I can attest that it is also spiritually, emotionally and personally fulfilling. Pastoring is an honorable journey in which every challenge is an opportunity for blessing—but only within those leaders who show a combination of character, anointing, skills, and these ten essential traits.

With these ten traits, a senior pastor can guide their flock with wisdom, love, and divine direction. ~ Jimmy Evans

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