Wise Leaders Start Well

From Gospel Translations

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Revision as of 15:03, 30 June 2025

Finishing well is crucial in life and ministry, but it also matters how you start. Of course, the Scriptures include many cautionary tales of good starts and disastrous ends. Think of Solomon, Israel’s wisest king, whose heart tragically turned from Yahweh. Or Paul’s sidekick Demas, who fell in love with the present age. Or the Ephesian church that left their first love. As Ecclesiastes 7:8 reminds us, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.”

Certainly, a chorus of biblical counselors urges believers to endure, to persevere, to overcome, to run so as to secure the prize of eternal life. But just as a sprinter practices pushing off and accelerating from the starting blocks, so a new pastor or ministry leader also should aspire to start an assignment well.

When I was called to serve as president of Bethlehem College and Seminary, a wise friend encouraged me to read The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter. The author urges new leaders to prepare themselves, accelerate their learning, match strategy to situation, secure early wins, achieve alignment in the organization, and build their teams. This bestselling leadership book does not cite any scriptures (that I can recall) or provide any case studies of churches or Christian organizations, yet as I read, I was encouraged to think intentionally and proactively about the opportunities and challenges of my new ministry role.

How might such leadership insights and principles translate to the unique dynamics that apply to a first-time pastor fresh out of seminary or a long-time associate soon to assume new responsibilities? A leadership transition provides a powerful opportunity to renew commitments (foundations), cast vision (focus), partner with others (friendship), and depend on God (faith).

Foundations

A wise builder pays careful attention to the foundation, ensuring that it is sound and secure before starting construction. Followers of Jesus seek to build their lives on the solid rock of his teaching (Matthew 7:24–27). What foundations should new ministry leaders attend to?

The most important foundation is sound doctrine, the theological commitments of the church or organization. God’s household is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). A leader would do well to carefully study the doctrinal statement of the church or institution he is called to serve, understanding its biblical rationale, history, and application in the life of the organization.

For example, does a church have one doctrinal statement that applies to members and pastors alike, or are there more detailed theological standards for overseers? Has there been glad agreement with the doctrinal statement among the leadership team, or has this been a source of contention or controversy? A leader may need to revise or refine doctrinal standards at some point, but the priority in an initial season of service is to communicate clearly about current doctrinal commitments and seek to align and unify the church or ministry around these standards.

Additionally, a new leader needs to understand the rules by which an organization operates. This includes policy manuals and legal documents, like articles of incorporation, constitution, and bylaws. While church bylaws are hardly pleasure reading, they are very important for establishing how an organization works. Greg Gilbert explains,

At the most basic level, rules — whether a constitution or by-laws or governing policies — are just a way of clarifying up-front, for everyone, who can do what . . . when . . . and under what circumstances. That’s not a minor thing. Get that right, and you’ll head off many potentially church-killing arguments and disagreements.

A new leader has the opportunity to review, renew, and reinforce the organization’s foundational commitments to teaching sound doctrine and adhering to established standards for governance and decision-making.

Focus

A transition also provides a strategic opportunity to focus attention on mission and vision. A mission statement clarifies the ministry’s essential purpose: Why do we exist? Whom do we serve? What has God called us to? A ministry’s vision is aspirational and future-oriented: Where are we going with God’s help?

It would be wise for a candidate in a new role to learn about the mission and vision of a church or ministry during the interview and discernment process. Are the governing board and staff of the organization clear about their mission and vision? Is there a need to renew current commitments by explaining their biblical foundations and encouraging people to live with passion and purpose? Or does a new leader need to build consensus and pursue clarity about why this church or organization exists and where it is heading?

John Piper defines Christian leadership as “knowing where God wants people to be and taking the initiative to use God’s gifts and God’s methods to get them there in reliance on God’s power through Christ, with God’s appointed people following.” A leader offers instruction, guidance, supervision, and an example for others to follow in pursuit of a shared goal (Hebrews 13:7). In other words, God calls pastors and other Christian leaders to lead with biblical clarity and personal integrity. Paul puts it this way: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16). So, whether a leader needs to renew or develop a mission and vision for his organization, it is crucial to lead with the word of God and regularly put it into practice.

Friendship

New leaders should seek to shore up the organization’s foundations and sharpen the focus on the shared mission and vision. Those who want to last beyond ninety days should also invest in relationships with others both inside and outside of the church or ministry they serve.

For example, if you are a new senior pastor, cultivate friendship and partnership with the church’s elders and staff. Spend time getting to know your team members, perhaps ideally over extended meals together. Share your testimonies and pray for each other. Ask about their call to ministry and their experience with the congregation. What challenges and opportunities do they see? What are their hopes and dreams? In a season of transition, there may also be a need to hire additional staff or to identify and equip new lay leaders. Such decisions require intentional planning, clear communication, and much prayer.

A transition is also a good opportunity to reach out to pastors from nearby churches and leaders from other local ministries. Learn about the congregations and organizations they serve. Seek opportunities to encourage and pray for their gospel work. It may be that some of these new contacts will become lasting friends and important partners in ministry. When Paul arrived in Corinth and met Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2), they bonded around their shared faith and tentmaking trade. The three went on to develop a long-standing friendship and ministry partnership, such that Paul names them in three of his letters and calls them “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3).

Likewise, ministry transitions provide important opportunities to develop new friendships and forge fresh partnerships to encourage gospel advance.

Faith

Finally, times of transition should prompt new leaders and the people they serve to depend on God. Harvard Business Review may provide leaders with ample insights about strategic planning and organizational management, but God’s word reminds us time and again of far more essential tasks: to seek the Lord in prayer and to look to him for wisdom and strength to carry out his work for his glory and our joy.

Christian leadership is a fundamentally spiritual task; it requires supernatural resources. Thus, Paul urges believers to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Peter exhorts all Christians — including leaders — “to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace . . . in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10–11).

A new pastor or ministry leader is presented with a powerful opportunity to renew foundational commitments, cast fresh vision, partner with others, and — ultimately — depend on God at every turn. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon put it well: “Throw your whole soul into the service of God, and then you will get God’s blessing if you are resting upon him.”