This is one of a series of blogs on FOA – frequently offered advice – based on common themes from my coaching work over the last 20 years. 

You’ve arrived! You’ve reached that leadership role that has been a dream for many years. Even if it hasn’t been a dream, it seems like a perfect fit for your gifts and experiences. You should be thrilled. And yet, if you’re honest with yourself, it’s much more of a grind and much less energizing than you thought it would be.

What’s going on here? There are a variety of possible explanations, but I want to focus on one that may not come to mind. Before you decide you’re in the wrong spot, consider how you might do something life-giving within your existing job. 

Here’s what I mean. The early years of a person’s ministry career tend to have many hands-on opportunities, whether in a church or some other setting. It may be teaching a regular Bible study, meeting with individuals who are exploring faith, leading a mission trip, counseling couples who are dealing with family issues, or leading a youth small group. But as one’s career advances, these hands-on responsibilities are replaced with “leadership” responsibilities. You’re in meetings to plan the ministries and you supervise the people who are doing the hands-on work.

I am not belittling these leadership duties. When done well, they add great value to a church or ministry. But if there is nothing else on your plate, it can feel unsatisfying. That is why I often encourage someone to make the time to do one of those hands-on activities that was life-giving in the past. That doesn’t mean quitting your job or rewriting your job description. It just means carving out the time for something that will feed your soul. Take a couple of hours a week to volunteer as a mentor in the local school partnership. Take a week to go on the mission trip. Start a small group or Bible study. 

You may be saying, “I don’t have time to add anything else.” But as we’ll discuss in one of the future FOA blogs, you may be able to rearrange some priorities or delegate more. And more importantly, if your rhythm of work doesn’t include some life-giving activities, it’s impossible for you to be the leader that your church or ministry needs for the long haul.

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