“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”  

Most church leaders don’t set out to avoid decisions. In fact, we’re making them all the time — about staff, budgets, calendars, volunteers, and ministries. But there’s a particular kind of indecision that quietly drains the health and momentum of a church: the failure to act when the moment is ripe.

Time is one of your most limited resources as a church leader — and one of the easiest to spend poorly. Not because you don’t care, but because you do. When we talk about stewardship in the church, we usually mean money. But your time may be the most valuable thing you steward. How you spend it signals what you value. Who you spend it with signals what you prioritize.

Your church can’t run on an empty tank — and neither can you. Healthy leadership flows from a healthy leader. If you burn out physically, emotionally, or spiritually, it will ripple through your team and congregation. So there is one more stewardship investment we can’t afford to overlook — and it’s the one leaders tend to neglect most: Steward Yourself.

Vision gives direction. People carry the vision forward. But without healthy systems in place, even the clearest vision and most committed people will eventually slow down, stall out, or burn out. That’s why the third stewardship investment is Steward the Systems.

Vision alone won’t move the mission forward. Vision needs carriers — people who believe it, own it, and run with it. That brings us to the second stewardship investment: Steward the People.

Stewardship isn’t just about finances. It’s about your vision, your people, your systems, and even your own health. Neglect any one of them, and the cost will eventually show up in your church’s momentum, unity, and mission.

Let’s start with the first investment: Steward the Vision.

Spring is the season for deepening. It’s not just about doing more. It’s about helping your people grow deeper in their walk with Jesus and more engaged in the mission of the church.

This is a key moment. Don’t let it slip by.

In nature, winter is when things look dormant — but under the surface, critical work is being done. Roots grow deeper. Energy is conserved. Pruning happens. And that hidden work is what makes future growth possible.

Ministry has a winter rhythm, too — and wise leaders know how to lean into it.

Part Two: Fall. After a summer of looser schedules, vacations, and flexible routines, many people enter the fall ready for some structure. Families are looking for patterns. Individuals are seeking clarity. They may not use this language, but what they’re really asking is: Where do I belong? Where am I going? What’s next for me here?

In this series, I want to explore four ministry seasons — Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring — not as fixed dates, but as leadership mindsets. Each one offers unique opportunities (and challenges), and when we recognize and lead in rhythm with these seasons, we can shepherd our churches more faithfully, strategically, and sustainably.

Many pastors live on one of two extremes: they're either stuck managing reality or chasing fantasy. One leads to burnout from busyness, the other leads to burnout from disappointment. What if vision wasn’t about dreaming bigger or shrinking to fit—but about aligning with God’s voice, timing, and provision? In this three-part series, we’ll explore what happens when vision is too big, not big enough, and just right.

Many pastors live on one of two extremes: they're either stuck managing reality or chasing fantasy. One leads to burnout from busyness, the other leads to burnout from disappointment. What if vision wasn’t about dreaming bigger or shrinking to fit—but about aligning with God’s voice, timing, and provision? In this three-part series, we’ll explore what happens when vision is too big, not big enough, and just right.

Many pastors live on one of two extremes: they're either stuck managing reality or chasing fantasy. One leads to burnout from busyness, the other leads to burnout from disappointment. What if vision wasn’t about dreaming bigger or shrinking to fit—but about aligning with God’s voice, timing, and provision? In this three-part series, we’ll explore what happens when vision is too big, not big enough, and just right.

Whether it’s a missed text, a late response, or an overlooked task, there’s something in me that recoils when I know I’ve let someone down. I’m wired as an achiever—I want to do the job well, show up fully, honor people, and keep all the plates spinning. I take commitments seriously, and I don’t like giving anything less than my best.

In the first two parts of this series, we discussed the biblical reality that all believers are called to ministry, and that church leaders are tasked with equipping the saints for that work. But what does it look like when the church begins to operate as a collective of active ministers? What happens when the priesthood of all believers is fully embraced and lived out?

In the first part of this series, we explored the biblical truth that all believers are called to the priesthood of ministry. But knowing that everyone is a minister is only part of the equation. The next crucial step is equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

In many churches, the work of ministry is often associated with pastors and professional ministers. The common mindset is that the congregation’s role is to sit, listen, and support the ministry of those called to lead.

If you’ve been in church long enough, you’ve probably seen it happen—a pastor burns out, quits ministry, or worse, has a moral failure that shakes the entire congregation. It’s heartbreaking every time.

Pastors aren’t just spiritual leaders—they’re people. And like anyone else, they face stress, anxiety, discouragement, and even depression. But unlike most people, they often carry these burdens alone.

When we think about discipleship, we often picture small groups, church programs, or mentoring relationships. But the truth is, discipleship starts long before a child ever steps into a youth group—it begins at home. As parents, we are called to be the primary disciple-makers in our children's lives, shaping their faith through both intentional teaching and everyday moments.

Ministry doesn’t just affect pastors—it affects their families too. Being the spouse or child of a pastor comes with unique pressures, unseen struggles, and expectations that can feel overwhelming.

Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. Yet too many pastors live as if their calling requires them to run at a breakneck pace, neglecting the very rhythms that could sustain them for the long haul. Without intentional practices that prioritize spiritual, emotional, and physical health, burnout isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Pastors pour themselves out week after week—preparing sermons, counseling struggling members, leading through challenges, and carrying the weight of spiritual leadership. And while many people appreciate their pastor, encouragement is often assumed rather than expressed.

In ministry, it’s easy to assume that pastors are spiritually strong simply because they’re always preaching, teaching, and leading others in faith. But the reality is, many pastors struggle to maintain their own personal walk with God.

Last month, our church experienced a season of prayer and fasting. It was a powerful time to seek the Lord and ask Him to move in our lives, families, and church. But during that time, I was convicted of something: I wasn’t praying for my pastor as much as I should have been.

In a world where churches often measure success by attendance and programs, it's easy to overlook the deeper question: Are we making disciples? Programs may fill seats, but disciplemaking transforms lives. That's why having an intentional and repeatable discipleship strategy—like micro-groups, or what at Replicate call D-Groups—is critical for every church.

When pastors lead with personal vision in place, their leadership takes on new depth and credibility. Instead of asking their people to live lives of purpose while struggling to do so themselves, they lead from a place of integrity and inspiration.

So how does a pastor develop a personal vision that fuels rather than fights against their ministry vision? It starts with intentional reflection in three key areas…

Many pastors lead with a clear church vision in mind. They cast mission statements, set goals, and rally people toward a preferred future. Yet, many of these same pastors struggle with a lack of personal vision.

For many churches, budgeting is often treated as a financial exercise—a process of managing income and expenses to keep the lights on and the ministry running. While this is important, it falls short of the higher calling of stewardship.