I’ve noticed something over the years…
A lot of people want to lead, but not everyone wants to last.
We celebrate the big moments…the packed services, the promotions, the wins, the Instagram posts. But leadership isn’t built in the spotlight. It’s built in thousands of ordinary days when no one is watching.
This past October I celebrated 30 years on staff at Stevens Creek Church.
People have asked me, “How have you stayed so long?”
My first answer is usually, “Well…they haven’t figured out how to get rid of me yet.”
Or I’ll say, “I just keep showing up on Mondays.”
Honestly, it hasn’t been because every season was easy. There have been incredible highs, but there have also been seasons that were exhausting, discouraging, and even painful.
There were moments when I questioned myself. Moments when I wondered if I was making a difference. Moments when I simply had to put one foot in front of the other.
Looking back, I’m grateful I stayed.
Here are a few things I’ve learned about leading for the long haul.
Don’t Chase the Next Thing
Our culture is always telling us that something better is out there.
A bigger church.
A bigger title.
A bigger paycheck.
A bigger platform.
Let’s be honest…if we’re not careful, we’ll start comparing our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel.
Sometimes God calls you to go but most of the time He calls you to stay. Don’t let comparison make your current assignment seem less significant. Faithfulness will always matter more than popularity.
Keep Your Heart Soft
Leadership has a way of hardening people if we’re not careful. People will disappoint you. Plans won’t always work. Criticism will come. The temptation is to become guarded… cynical… or simply stop caring. Fight for your heart. Spend time with Jesus before you spend time leading people.
Don’t lose your love for God while working for God.
Play the Long Game
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about winning every day. It’s about showing up every day. Some Sundays feel incredible and some feel terrible.
Some Sundays the microphone dies, Pro Presenter freezes, Ableton isn’t firing correctly and the confidence monitor shut off right in the middle of a new song.
Welcome to ministry.
Some ideas work…and some completely flop. That’s leadership. Don’t let one bad day convince you you’re a bad leader.
Keep showing up.
Keep learning.
Keep growing.
Invest in People
At the end of the day, It’s all about people.
Buildings are great, systems matter and strategy is important. But people are always the mission.
Some of the greatest joy in leadership is watching someone you invested in begin leading others.
That’s a legacy worth building.
Take Care of Yourself
For years I thought slowing down meant I wasn’t working hard enough. I’ve learned the opposite is often true. You can’t lead well if you’re running on empty.
Take a day off… Go on vacation… Play golf... Laugh with your family…Sit by the pool….Read a good book. And every once in a while…leave your phone in another room. If the church survives for an hour without you, take that as good news.
Healthy leaders lead healthier teams.
Stay Teachable
Thirty years in ministry has taught me one thing…
I still have a lot to learn.
Some of the best ideas I’ve used came from leaders younger than me.
So,,,ask questions…Visit other churches…Read books outside your comfort zone.
Never confuse experience with having all the answers.
Finish Better Than You Started
Anyone can have a great season.
The goal is to finish well.
When my leadership journey is over, I don’t want to be remembered for my title or accomplishments. I hope they remember that I loved people well. That I encouraged others. That I was faithful. That I made the people around me better.
That’s success.
One Last Thought
The leaders who make the biggest impact usually aren’t the loudest.
They’re the ones who faithfully show up year after year.
They love people.
They keep learning.
They stay humble.
They don’t quit when things get hard.
Galatians 6:9 has become one of my favorite reminders:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
If you’re in a difficult season today, keep going. Your faithfulness matters more than you realize. Leadership isn’t about having one great year.
It’s about living a life that points people to Jesus… for the long haul.