How to Lead Without Over-Leading Your Church (Or Yourself)
In church leadership, the urge to constantly improve can sometimes backfire. When we make changes just to “do something,” we risk stepping outside the flow of what the Holy Spirit is already doing.
As Lenny the cuddly but too strong man child in Of Mice and Men dreamed of having how own bunny to hug and to hold and love. After realizing his dream Lenny loved the cute little rabbit so much he suffocated it.
Here are six powerful reminders to help you lead with discernment, not just drive.
1. Beware the Sin of Saul: Impatience Derailed a Kingdom
Saul didn’t wait for the prophet Samuel to offer the sacrifice — he took charge of what wasn’t his to touch. That one act of impatience cost him God’s favor. When you force movement that isn’t yours to make, you may cause more harm than good. Trust in God’s timing is foundational leadership.
2. Don’t Confuse Tinkering with Progress
Seeking improvement is admirable — but not all movement is forward. Some leaders develop a “chronic fixer” mindset, believing that if things aren’t changing, they must be stagnant. In reality, healthy systems often thrive in simplicity and consistency.
3. Most Decisions Will Make Themselves
That’s what Kenn Gulliksen said during the explosive growth of the early Vineyard movement. When God is truly moving, you don’t have to manufacture momentum. Great leadership sometimes looks like patient watching, not frantic doing.
4. Overpastoring Is a Real Thing
Sometimes we smother what God is doing with over-involvement. Not every situation needs an intervention. Leaders need to ask, “Am I pastoring this to life — or to death?” Let well enough alone, especially when the Spirit is quietly at work.
5. Calm Down. It’s Going to Be Okay.
Feeling the pressure to change something right now? Don’t. Stop. Breathe. The enemy of fruitful ministry is often urgency without clarity. If God hasn’t given new marching orders, stick with the old ones — they probably still apply.
6. Discern What God Is Doing — Not What You Wish He Were Doing
Saul fell by acting on what he wanted God to do. Don’t make that mistake. Instead of acting on ambition or anxiety, learn to wait and watch. Ask, “What is God already blessing in this season?” Then simply align with it.
Bottom Line:
The best leaders don’t constantly change course — they follow the Holy Spirit’s lead with patience and wisdom. Sometimes the holiest thing you can do is… nothing at all.
Let well enough alone. Love but don’t smoother those under your leadership. Trust that God knows how to lead His Church — and He’s probably already doing it.
