What Makes a Great Church Leader?

It’s too easy to find myriad examples of talented church leaders who have failed. While moral collapse is often the most newsworthy cause of failure, it’s all too common to find ministry leaders who simply fell short of their callings. 

Leadership is easy to talk about. But it’s difficult to see through effectively–especially in the complex and challenging world of Christian ministry.

In the following article, we’ll look at what makes a great church leader and how men and women can successfully pursue their callings in ministry–whether leading a church of 10,000 or a Bible study of 10. 

7 Qualities of Every Great Church Leader

Consistency 

Our culture often glorifies those who are exceptionally gifted rather than consistently hard-working. One writer describes this as “the idea that raw talent and privilege matter to the near exclusion of work ethic,” citing superhero movies such as Thor to describe those who seem to have an effortless physique or supernatural powers. Of course, we all know these are just stories–but what do they communicate to us? Consistent work can never produce what raw talent can. 

The sobering truth is that to achieve greatness, most of us will need to show up at our jobs and vocations over the course of years and years. We will need to put in the effort, time, and discipline to become great communicators, visionaries, and leaders. Men and women who are consistently present and invested in ministry will ultimately see success.

Perseverance

If you’ve been in ministry for more than a few months (or weeks), you already know you’ll need to persevere through disappointment, setbacks, and immense challenges. The nature of the Church presents emotional, financial, and relational hurdles that only the most determined and committed individuals will cross. As the Apostle Paul said nearly 2,000 years ago – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). 

Grace

More than most vocations, ministry will require you to extend grace to others. Your coworkers in Christ and the people you minister to will hurt, disappoint, and offend you–again and again. Those who make it for the long haul know how to forgive not 7, but 77 times. 

Character

Effective church leaders have good character. Paul makes this clear throughout the New Testament, outlining firm requirements for deacons and elders:

"Therefore an overseer [elder] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” (1 Timothy 3:2-7)

Likewise, Paul outlines similar qualifications for deacons in the same chapter. Church leaders need to have demonstrated faithfulness in marriage, sobriety in thought and action, hospitality, and a healthy attitude towards money. Not only that, but they must know how to lead their own households and discipline their children. 

While many church leaders may start this way, they too often fail to maintain their integrity. Great leaders have the fortitude to make it for the long haul. 

Collaborative Skills

Great leaders know how to collaborate with others. They are willing to share ideas, receive input, adapt to change, and maintain vision. Of course, healthy collaboration also requires humility and empathy–it can be challenging to surrender an idea or an opinion to maintain team unity! But Jesus was no autocrat; despite His disciples’ many failings, He empowered them, listened to them, and above all, He served them (See John 13 for His radical act of food washing). 

Clear Communication 

The ability to clearly communicate extends beyond delivering a great sermon or even leading a team meeting (although those are important skills!) Leaders who can clearly communicate can deliver feedback with grace, address a conflict in a thoughtful, levelheaded way, and effectively share a new idea. They can also compel and motivate others to take action–whether that’s to volunteer at weekend services, respond to a giving campaign, or, most importantly, commit to following Jesus. 

Personal Discipline

Typically, the more a leader is promoted, the more responsibilities they are given. With that comes a greater need to maintain personal health, priorities (such as family), financial stability, and effective habits and rhythms. That can look like going to bed and waking up early, holding to a strict personal budget, and even restricting sugar and caffeine intake. It can also include maintaining family rhythms such as nightly dinners together, family prayer, and weekly date nights. 

Finally, personal discipline critically includes spiritual disciplines of mentorship (including being mentored), prayer, and reading Scripture outside of sermon preparation. Making it for the long haul requires constant and daily commitment to relationship with Jesus. 

Great Leaders Embrace Great Tools

A leader can be tech-averse or “low-tech” and still embrace tools that make their mission more efficient and effective. Tithely is a suite of tools that streamline the administrative side of leading a church so that leaders can focus on what’s really important: helping to advance the Kingdom of God. To check out Tithely’s affordable, all-in-one church tools, click here.

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