Don’t Become That Leader
You’ve seen it—and maybe (like me) you’ve been it.
That leader who’s always in a rush, but never really present. Who leads meetings with intensity – but no joy. Who’s got sharp opinions but a dull spirit. The kind of person nobody wants to be around for long.
What’s scary is, it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s what sneaks up on you when you try to lead fast on an empty tank, putting your foot down just makes it worse! When you rely more on your natural gift than on God’s supernatural grace. When the engine of your ministry keeps running, but that warning light has been flashing red for miles, don’t do what I did and put a bit of tape over the light! The light isn’t the problem but it’s alerting you that you need to get help.
I am speaking from experience, and not just from driving rubbishy old cars.
Looking back on 30 years ministry there were seasons when I was still preaching, still producing, still pushing…but inside, I was shrinking. My love for people was bottoming out. My prayers were mechanical. I was showing up out of muscle memory, not spiritual vitality. Ministry running on fumes. And the weird part is, people coming to church didn’t seem to notice – they were just happy I was still producing the goods. But it made me less than the man God created me to be in all the important ways. Less of a husband, father and grandfather. Less of a friend.
Running on Giftedness, Not God
There’s a way to do ministry where it all comes from your natural strength. Your wiring, your stage presence, your experience, your insight, your charisma. I can switch all that on easily now.
That kind of leadership looks good from a distance but has a lot of cracks appearing to anyone coming nearer – and it totally lacks staying power.
We are in a series now on Ephesians at ivychurch.org where Paul writes about another way;
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” – Ephesians 3:16
That inner strength is the key.
When your soul is rooted in Christ, established in his love, the fruit looks completely different. You don’t just produce more. You become someone more compelling, more peaceful, more joyful to be around. Someone people want to follow, not out of obligation, but for imitation – out of trust.
60 and Finally Learning the Secret
I’m now 60. And strangely, I feel more alive, more energised, and more anchored in God than I did at 40. Or 50. The vision has never been bigger. My sense of purpose has never been clearer. And most days, I wake up with a gratitude bordering on holy awe—because I know I don’t deserve any of it.
A key part of the shift? I finally started doing the work beneath the work. Keeping in step with the spirit meant I stopped mistreating my soul so much. I started living like “sharpening the saw” wasn’t just a Stephen Covey 7 Habits productivity hack I would commend when teaching business leaders —but a Jesus command applicable to everyone.
It was Jesus who said:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29
That’s not just a verse for tired people—it’s a strategy for leadership impact, joy and longevity as the Lord says, “You’ll be crushed if you try to carry this without Me.”
Why You Shouldn’t Try This Alone
If any part of this resonates, don’t nodding and carry on, don’t just think of this as something good to share with your team either. Do something yourself. Book in to LAUNCHCATALYST.ORG and join the community. It’s not too late.
Over many years now we’ve created a space for leaders to get together impact – but not in the way that rebounds and runs you over. Leaders who want health, vision, and longevity. Leaders who are done pretending, done performing, and done doing ministry on empty.
If you’re serious about becoming the kind of person people want to follow—not just because you’re effective, but because you’re alive—then Launchcatalyst is for you. And as my last post mentioned, there will be opportunity from it for leaders like you to join us in building the kind of ministry resilient enough to stay the course.
LAUNCH is where strategy meets soul care. Where gifted leaders like you learn to run on grace, not just gritting your teeth.
Come sharpen the saw with us. Come lead from overflow, not exhaustion. Come find your fire again!