Leadership is certainly challenging, and there are many tests along the path. The obstacles are real, the hazards should not be ignored, and it is very easy to stumble along the way. There are danger signs in a leader’s life, including isolation, a lack of accountability and defensiveness. The gravity and seriousness of church leadership weigh heavily on your shoulders. You cannot ignore the seriousness of your role in God’s plan. Your testimony must be impeccable in the areas of character, integrity and being blameless according to the standard clearly given in God’s Word.
The responsibility is real, and the size of your congregation does not determine it. The weightiness is there whether you pastor 40 or 400 because you have been called to shepherd God’s flock as an overseer. You should take your calling very seriously because Hebrews 13:17 tells us that an account will be given for how a leader leads. The stress is real as well due to a lack of growth, financial challenges, personal challenges and a multitude of other obstacles. You must continually keep an eye out for warning signs that you are personally not in a good place spiritually, physically, financially or structurally.
One danger to be very careful of is entitlement. Mark Clifton stated, “When you begin to think that you are sort of indispensable to God’s work and you forget that you actually are not that big of a deal.” Remember, you are first and foremost a servant. Jesus came to serve and has called us to pick up the towel of servanthood and wash the feet of those around us through attending to the needs of others. A little “success” can go to your head, and you must guard against thinking too highly of yourself (See Rom. 12:3). It does not matter how big your church becomes. God resists the proud.
Be careful not to allow celebrity culture to grow in your church. Remember, it can happen in small churches as well as large churches. It is easy to enjoy being “the guy” who calls the shots that everyone is supposed to follow. Temper that temptation by remaining humble, accountable, teachable and submissive as the shepherd under the care of the Chief Shepherd. Entitlement can impact and create so many other dangers that will raise their ugly heads if you allow them through arrogance and isolation from godly counsel. A network of fellow pastors, elders and leaders is imperative.
When entitlement steps in and you begin to think more highly of yourself than you should, applause will corrupt you, and criticism will crush you. Who you are in Christ is far more important than what you do for Christ. It is far too easy to focus on charisma and competency and forget the most important “C” — character. What are you entitled to as a leader? Jesus says in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” We are entitled to death as Paul reminds us in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ…” Leaders must regularly crucify their flesh.
It is not about you, nor is it about me. It is all about Jesus, and only He deserves the glory and praise. I know you know this, but it is good to be reminded of this truth continually. One pastor was pretty impressed by his message one Sunday. On the way home, he asked his wife, “How many great messages do you believe were preached this morning across America?” She replied, “Probably one less than you do!” Isn’t it amazing that when a preacher believes he did great, no one seems to notice or move, but when he believes he failed, God moves mightily? That should tell us something right there.
Mark Clifton continued, “There is no room for a sense of entitlement in a pastor’s heart. ‘People should treat me better. They should respect me more. I should have a better place to preach. I should have a better situation.’ And if you have ever desired to pastor a better place, I don’t know that the Holy Spirit puts that in your mind. It’s a red flag. It’s a warning sign.” When you do begin to believe you deserve better, that is a great opportunity to seek the Lord’s face and admit your pettiness and pride. Repent quickly and humble yourself again to God’s calling on your life right where you are and right now.
A spirit and heart of entitlement can easily lead to other issues, such as abuse of power and manipulation. Years ago, I had to confess that my focus was on using people to build the church rather than on using the church to build up people. Yes, there can be a very thin line there, but that is why you must continually allow the Lord to examine your motives. You must also allow others to speak into your life about what they see and where they believe your direction and motives may be misguided. Lord Acton wrote in 1887, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Ministry was never designed to create a culture of the “professionalization of the clergy.” This is a reference to the “trend of religious leaders, such as pastors and other clergy members, being treated as professionals with specialized training, skills and knowledge, similar to other professional fields.” It involves a more formal education, certification and professional development. Many of the standards and certifications are good things, but the best thing is a godly calling and character. Matthew 23:11 states, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
The dangers are real and always present. I Peter 5:8 reminds us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom He may devour.” Adrian Rodgers said it well: “It is far better for a leader to be wise than to be intelligent or gifted!”
