3 Ways Church Leaders Can Avoid Coasting

Raise your hand if you’re tired. Yeah me too.

What’s the deal with summer time in ministry? I always get tricked by summer. When it’s May, I’m thinking:

“I can’t wait until summer because ministry will slow down and I’ll be able to chill and relax.”

And then summer comes and I feel even busier than before! How do I get tricked by summer every time?!? I know I’m not alone here.

So, here’s a post for those of us who are tried and weary.

Like I’ve said in my last few posts. I’m a bit obsessed with Old Testament kings right now. So, buckle up. Here’s another leadership lesson from an Old Testament king...

So, here’s the deal: King Asa takes the throne of the southern kingdom of Judah around 910 BC and it’s a dark time in the history of God’s people. There’s just been a civil war. God’s people are no longer united. Also, the worship of foreign gods has invaded the land. There are altars, idols, high places and weird Asherah poles all over the place-- every town, every hilltop, in the palace. It’s a dark time.

Here comes King Asa. He takes the throne after his father dies and he just gets to work. If you read the story from 2 Chronicles 14, he gets rid of all the idols. He commands his people to seek the Lord and he starts building defenses. When faced with a crisis — a powerful army invading, he relies on God and God delivers Judah. This guy is a baller.

In summary, King Asa is just crushing it as king. The people are returning to the One True God and Judah is thriving under his leadership. And he does this year, after year, after year. He’s a great king.

As I was reading this story, something jumped out at me. Around year fifteen of his reign there is a very interesting scripture.

Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.

2 Chronicles 15:9-10 NIV

King Asa gathers everyone together. Why?

To renew the covenant.

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.

2 Chronicles 15:12 NIV

Fifteen years into his leadership, he gathers the people to renew the covenant. Take a look again at who he has gathered.

Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.

Wait a second, the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon aren’t part of the kingdom of Judah. They are part of the kingdom of Israel in the north. There was just a big civil war. Why are these people flocking to Judah? They are enemies!

These people from Israel are moving to Judah because of what God is doing through Asa’s leadership. They are abandoning their tribal lands and their own kingdom to join the “enemy.” This is no small thing. They are drawn to what God is doing through Asa’s leadership. Leadership matters.

When does this big event where they renew the covenant happen?

Year fifteen.

I think there is a connection here between faithful leadership and faithfully seeking the Lord for years and years and spiritual movement in the hearts of people.

What does this have to do with us? Here it is: The temptation, once we get comfortable with ministry and leadership, is to begin to coast.

I would have expected King Asa to be comfortable and coasting at year 15. He knows what he’s doing. He has his processes and systems. He has people doing most of the work for him. Right?

No, he’s still all in! In fact if you were to read 2 Chronicles 15, it’s like he doubles down on his efforts to lead the people well. He even deposes his own grandmother because she has an Asherah pole!

King Asa is actually growing in passion and devotion at year fifteen. There’s no coasting. No taking his foot off the gas pedal. He’s still all in.

And it seems to me, his influence is growing because of this. Leadership matters.

And, here is the lesson for us: The temptation, when we get comfortable in ministry is to coast. We take our foot of the gas pedal as we settle in. Don't do it! Why? Because in the story of King Asa, influence comes at year fifteen. People from the northern tribes are returning to God! The people are renewing the covenant! Influence comes with time.

Look, I know that some of you are tired. Actually, it’s more than tired. There’s a weariness in your heart. You’re emotionally exhausted. The temptation is there to coast or even maybe quit. I would plead with you. Don’t do it. Take a break. Get healthy. Get back in the game. Influence comes with time.

Some of you are looking around. Your role has become a bit stale and well, boring. And maybe it is time to move on to something new. But then again, maybe not. Maybe it’s time to double-down. Why? Because influence comes with time.

Maybe you’re getting comfortable. You’re really starting to feel like you know what you’re doing. It’s becoming easier. The temptation is to take your foot off the gas and coast. Don’t do it! Why? Because King Asa doubled down on his efforts. And, influence comes with time.

[tweetthis]Influence comes with time.[/tweetthis]

So now what? We’re all feeling properly motivated but what do we do? A few thoughts on keeping our foot on the pedal over the long haul so we can gain influence...

1. Rhythms of Rest

Funny thing. I’m not a robot. I can’t just go and go and go. Neither can you. We are built for a rhythm of work and rest. If we ignore this, we will burn out. It’s a guarantee.

What are the rhythms of rest in your life? Can you begin to implement Sabbath? You may work on Sunday but can you rest on Friday? Or Saturday? When was your last vacation? You aren’t a robot. Schedule it!

Rest is a requirement when it comes to keeping our foot on the gas pedal over the long-haul.

In relation to rest, you may also find these previous posts helpful:

• 5 Warning Signs of Ministry Burnout
• How to Stay Emotionally Healthy in Ministry

2. A Conference

There have been a few times in my ministry career where I was just feeling “Blah.” It was the same ol’ and I was just kind of going through the motions. If this is where you find yourself, I might suggest going to a good conference.

A good conference will inspire. It will remind you why what you do matters. It will challenge you to renew your focus. It will train you in new skills. It will uncover new possibilities or challenges. Also, if you do it right, you could stay in a sweet hotel and eat like a king. Just saying.

3. A New Challenge

For those of us who are just feeling unchallenged or bored in our roles and yet want to serve and lead for years and gain the influence we’ve been talking about, it might be time to ask for a new challenge. When’s the last time you asked your boss for a challenging project, a new role, or a mentor?

A few months ago I summoned the courage to ask my boss for more opportunities and a greater investment and I was surprised when he answered, “I was wondering when you were going to ask!”

Simply asking has opened a new door for me — new mentors, new opportunities, new challenges and new feedback. I am energized and engaged. I believe we are all built to rise to a challenge. Maybe for you, keeping your foot on the gas pedal looks like a new challenge.

I would encourage you to choose one option, or make up your own. The idea is to double-down. Don’t give up. Keep your foot on the gas because influence comes with time.

Do you have some additional techniques that prevent you from coasting in the work you do? I'd love it if you shared them in the comments below.