Growing as a Christian Leader: Steps to Effective Leadership
Essential Steps to Grow as a Christian Leader
If you're searching for how to grow as a christian leader, here are the key steps to effective leadership:
Accept humility - Put others before yourself
Lead with love and integrity - Align your actions with biblical values
Practice servant leadership - Follow Jesus' example of serving others
Develop strong communication skills - Speak truth with clarity and kindness
Seek God's guidance continually - Through prayer and Scripture study
Find mentorship and accountability - Connect with experienced leaders
Leadership in a Christian context goes beyond traditional leadership models. While secular leadership often focuses on authority and results, how to grow as a christian leader involves developing character that reflects Christ while effectively guiding others.
As Stephen Grunlan observed, "Church leaders operate without the traditional power or financial incentives found in military or corporate leadership," highlighting the unique nature of Christian leadership. This means Christian leaders must rely on something deeper—servant leadership principles modeled by Jesus himself.
The journey of leadership growth isn't one you need to walk alone. Many Christian leaders find that working with a coach provides accountability, perspective, and specialized guidance as they steer leadership challenges. Through coaching relationships, you can receive personalized support that addresses your specific growth areas as you seek to lead like Christ.
Accept Humility in Leadership
Humility forms the bedrock of Christian leadership. Unlike the world's view that often celebrates self-promotion and dominance, Christian leadership begins with a humble heart that recognizes all gifts come from God.
C.S. Lewis said, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." This perspective completely reframes how we approach leadership. Rather than seeing your position as a platform for personal recognition, humble Christian leadership views authority as an opportunity to lift others and glorify God.
Interestingly, the business world is catching up to what Scripture has taught for centuries. Scientific research on humility in leadership published in Forbes shows that humble CEOs create higher-performing teams, foster greater collaboration, and demonstrate more flexibility in developing strategies.
Jim Collins finded through his extensive leadership research that humility is the primary difference between good and great leadership. The most effective leaders combine personal modesty with professional determination—they're passionate about their mission and organization, not about personal acclaim.
How Humility Helps You Grow as a Christian Leader
When exploring how to grow as a christian leader, embracing humility creates several powerful pathways for development.
Humble leaders naturally open themselves to feedback, which is essential for growth. When you're not defensive about your weaknesses, you can address them more effectively. This openness creates a cycle of continuous improvement that strengthens your leadership over time.
Trust flourishes around humble leadership. Your team instinctively trusts you more when you admit mistakes and share credit for successes. One pastor shared with me, "The moment I started asking my team what I could do better instead of telling them what they should improve, our entire ministry dynamic changed. Not only did I grow as a leader, but they became more engaged and innovative."
Perhaps most importantly, humility reflects Christ's example. Jesus, despite being God incarnate, washed His disciples' feet and took the form of a servant. By modeling this humility, you demonstrate Christ-like leadership in a tangible way.
Humility also serves as a protective factor against leadership derailment. As Proverbs 16:18-19 reminds us, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud."
To cultivate humility in your own leadership journey, try regularly soliciting honest feedback from those you lead, acknowledging team contributions rather than taking personal credit, and spending time in prayer asking God to reveal areas of pride in your life.
Many Christian leaders find that working with a coach can be particularly helpful in developing humility. A good coach provides a safe space to examine your leadership blind spots and offers accountability as you work to develop a more humble leadership approach. They can help you identify when pride might be creeping in and offer practical strategies for maintaining a servant's heart even as your influence grows.
Lead with Love and Integrity
At the heart of Christian leadership lies a powerful combination – love and integrity. Think about it: without love, even the most skillful leadership becomes hollow. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13, without love, our leadership accomplishments amount to nothing more than noise without music.
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." These words from 1 Corinthians 11:1 capture the essence of authentic Christian leadership. Before we can effectively lead others, we must first be genuine followers of Christ ourselves. Our leadership should be a reflection of His character – both in our intentions and in our actions.
When it comes to how to grow as a christian leader, integrity isn't optional – it's foundational. Integrity simply means there's alignment between what we say and what we do. As Proverbs 10:9 beautifully puts it, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." This security comes from the trust that integrity builds, and trust is truly the currency of leadership.
What does leading with integrity look like in daily life? It means keeping promises even when inconvenient and speaking truthfully even when difficult. It involves making decisions based on biblical principles rather than what seems expedient in the moment. Leaders with integrity take responsibility when mistakes happen and live consistently whether in public or private.
I've noticed that crisis moments often reveal the true character of a leader. As one Christian leadership expert wisely observed, "Normal doesn't test your integrity. A crisis does." When challenges arise – and they will – you have a precious opportunity to demonstrate that your faith isn't just something you talk about but something that guides your actions when pressure mounts.
Love in leadership isn't just a warm feeling – it's active and intentional. It shows up as patience with those who are learning and kindness even during difficult conversations. It appears as forgiveness when team members make mistakes and genuine celebration when others succeed. Love leads us to protect those who are vulnerable rather than exploit weaknesses.
Bob Goff, known for his refreshing take on love-driven leadership, shares this insight: "I used to want to change people. Now I just want to be with them." This profound shift represents the heart of Christian leadership – seeing people as beloved children of God rather than projects to fix or resources to use.
Many leaders find that working with a coach provides valuable perspective in developing love and integrity in their leadership style. A Christian coach can offer accountability and practical guidance for aligning your leadership with Christ's example, especially during seasons when leading with love feels challenging. Having someone who can both encourage you and speak truth into your leadership journey creates space for authentic growth.
Growing as a Christian leader isn't about perfection – it's about progression. Each day offers new opportunities to lead with a little more love and a little more integrity than the day before.
Practice Servant Leadership
Jesus redefined leadership during His time on earth. In a culture where leaders expected to be served, Jesus stated in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." This approach to leadership—servant leadership—remains the gold standard for Christian leaders today.
The image of Jesus washing His disciples' feet in John 13:1-17 offers perhaps the most powerful visual of servant leadership in history. Imagine this scene: The Creator of the universe kneeling with a basin and towel, performing the task reserved for the lowest household servant. After this humble demonstration, Jesus looked at His disciples and said simply, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
This wasn't just a nice gesture—it was a complete inversion of how leadership was understood. And it's still today.
Growing as a Christian Leader by Serving Others
When exploring how to grow as a christian leader, embracing servant leadership transforms both you and those you lead in profound ways.
Servant leadership shifts your focus from self to others. Instead of walking into a room wondering what others can do for you, you begin asking, "How can I support the people I'm responsible for?" This mindset change alone can revolutionize your leadership impact.
It also develops genuine empathy. There's something about serving others that opens your eyes to their challenges in ways that observation alone never could. When you're willing to step into someone else's world and serve their needs, you gain insights that make you a more compassionate and effective leader.
Building moral authority happens naturally through servant leadership. As one pastor shared with me, "Position gives you authority on an organizational chart, but serving others gives you authority in their hearts." People follow servant leaders not because they have to, but because they want to.
Perhaps most powerfully, servant leadership creates a ripple effect throughout your organization or ministry. Teams naturally emulate their leaders. When you consistently serve, you create permission and inspiration for everyone to do the same.
This approach to leadership isn't just spiritually sound—it's practically effective. Research consistently shows that organizations led by servant leaders experience higher employee engagement, better team performance, and greater innovation. What Jesus modeled 2,000 years ago works remarkably well in today's world.
One church leader described how this principle transformed his ministry: "I used to think leadership was about having the best vision and strategy. Now I know it's about helping others succeed in their calling. When I started focusing on serving my team rather than directing them, our church's impact multiplied because everyone was empowered to lead from their strengths."
Many Christian leaders find that working with a coach helps them develop and maintain this servant mindset, especially when facing challenges or resistance. A good coach can provide accountability and perspective when the temptation to revert to more controlling leadership styles arises.
Servant leadership means rolling up your sleeves and getting involved. It means being willing to do the things you ask others to do. It means listening deeply before speaking, removing obstacles that hinder your team's success, and celebrating others' wins as enthusiastically as your own.
In the end, servant leadership isn't just what we do—it's who we are becoming as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the ultimate servant leader.
Develop Strong Communication Skills
Have you ever played the game "telephone" where a message gets whispered from person to person? By the end, the message is usually unrecognizable! This happens in leadership too, and the consequences can be much more serious than a funny game outcome.
Clear communication sits at the heart of effective Christian leadership. As Ephesians 4:25 beautifully reminds us, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." This scripture doesn't just call us to honesty—it reminds us that clear communication builds community.
When communication breaks down, even the most well-intentioned leadership efforts can crumble. Think about it—how many church conflicts or ministry misalignments stem from simple misunderstandings or unstated expectations? On the flip side, when we communicate with clarity and consistency, we build trust and create alignment that powers ministry forward.
Active listening might be the most overlooked communication skill among leaders. James 1:19 offers this timeless wisdom: "be quick to listen, slow to speak." This isn't just about politely waiting your turn to talk—it's about truly seeking to understand before being understood. When someone on your team shares a concern, try repeating back what you heard to confirm understanding before offering solutions.
Speaking with clarity transforms leadership effectiveness. I remember one ministry leader who constantly told her team to "do better" without specifying what "better" looked like. The result? Frustration and stagnation. Instead, try being specific: "I'd love to see us increase our follow-up contacts with first-time visitors within 48 hours."
Consistency in communication builds a foundation of trust. Whether it's weekly team huddles, monthly ministry updates, or annual vision casting, creating predictable rhythms of communication helps people feel informed and included. One pastor shared, "When we started sending a brief weekly email update to all volunteers, our no-show rate dropped by 40% almost immediately."
Tailoring your communication approach shows respect for individual differences. Some people process information visually, others need to hear it, and still others need to discuss it. How to grow as a Christian leader often means learning to flex your communication style to meet others where they are, not where you're most comfortable.
Two-way communication channels demonstrate humility and ensure you're not missing crucial information. Simple questions like "What am I missing?" or "How could we improve this process?" invite insights that might save your ministry from costly mistakes.
Storytelling connects information to emotion, making it memorable. Jesus, the greatest communicator who ever lived, regularly used parables to illustrate spiritual truths. When sharing vision or teaching principles, try wrapping them in relatable stories that touch both heart and mind.
Non-verbal communication often speaks louder than words. Your facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language either reinforce or contradict your message. One church leader was puzzled why his "open door policy" wasn't working—until someone pointed out that he always looked annoyed when people stopped by!
Growing in communication skills doesn't happen accidentally. It requires intentional practice and honest feedback. Consider recording yourself speaking, asking trusted colleagues for input, or working with a coach who can help identify blind spots and develop your abilities.
Many Christian leaders find that working with a communication coach provides the personalized guidance and accountability needed to overcome longstanding patterns. A coach can observe your communication style, offer targeted feedback, and help you implement practical strategies for improvement. At Share The Struggle, our coaches help leaders develop communication skills that build trust, resolve conflicts, and advance ministry effectiveness.
Jesus was the perfect communicator—speaking truth with love, adapting his approach to his audience, and using everyday examples to illustrate profound truths. As we seek to follow his example, improving our communication becomes not just a leadership skill but a spiritual discipline that honors God and serves others.
Seek God's Guidance Continually
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of how to grow as a christian leader is maintaining a vibrant connection with God. All leadership principles and skills are ultimately secondary to this fundamental relationship. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
When Jesus faced his most challenging leadership moments, he didn't call a committee meeting or draft a strategic plan—he prayed. Despite overwhelming ministry demands, he frequently "withdrew to solitary places to pray" (Luke 5:16). This wasn't a luxury; it was his lifeline to the Father.
The truth is, effective Christian leadership flows from a deep well of spiritual vitality. You might continue functioning in your leadership role for a while without this connection, but eventually, the lack of spiritual nourishment will show up as diminished wisdom, compassion, and effectiveness. It's like trying to drive cross-country without stopping for gas—you'll only get so far before you're stranded.
Regular prayer isn't just a nice religious practice—it's oxygen for your leadership. One experienced pastor shared with me, "The most important leadership decision I make each day is to spend time with God before I spend time with anyone else. When I skip this, I notice the difference immediately in my patience, wisdom, and effectiveness."
Scripture study provides the foundation for godly decision-making. The Bible isn't just an ancient text; it's "God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When you face complex leadership challenges, Scripture offers timeless principles that transcend our current cultural moment.
I've noticed that leaders who maintain spiritual vitality also accept spiritual disciplines like fasting, solitude, and meditation on Scripture. These practices aren't about checking religious boxes; they create space in our noisy lives to hear God's voice more clearly. As one ministry leader told me, "I've learned to build margin into my schedule specifically for listening to God. Some of our ministry's most significant breakthroughs came during these times of waiting on the Lord rather than rushing ahead with my own plans."
Seeking wise counsel from godly mentors and advisors provides another avenue for divine guidance. God often speaks through the community of believers, offering perspective we might miss on our own. As Proverbs 15:22 wisely notes, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
The journey of leadership is filled with crossroads and decisions. By maintaining a posture of dependence on God and evaluating decisions through a biblical lens, you align your leadership with divine purposes. This doesn't guarantee ease, but it does promise guidance.
Many Christian leaders find that working with a coach can significantly improve this spiritual guidance process. A good Christian coach doesn't replace your relationship with God but helps you recognize patterns that might be blocking your ability to hear Him clearly. Through thoughtful questions and accountability, coaching can help you integrate spiritual practices more effectively into your leadership journey and discern God's unique direction for your ministry context.
Seeking God's guidance isn't just for major decisions but should become the rhythm of daily leadership. As Proverbs 16:9 beautifully puts it, "A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." When you lead from this place of divine connection, you'll find both the wisdom and strength needed for the journey ahead.
How to Grow as a Christian Leader Through Coaching
Leadership can be a lonely journey. Even Jesus, the perfect leader, surrounded himself with companions and regularly retreated to commune with the Father. For today's Christian leaders, coaching offers that same blend of relationship, accountability, and guidance that can transform your leadership journey.
Think about the biblical examples of leadership development. Paul invested deeply in Timothy. Barnabas took a chance on Mark when others had written him off. These mentoring relationships weren't casual—they were intentional, challenging, and transformative. Modern Christian leadership coaching follows this same pattern.
"Working with a coach changed everything for me," shares Pastor Michael, a ministry leader from Colorado. "I was drowning in responsibilities and losing my passion. My coach helped me see patterns I couldn't recognize on my own and gave me practical tools to lead more like Jesus."
What makes coaching particularly effective for Christian leaders is the combination of spiritual insight and practical skill development. A good Christian coach doesn't just help you manage your calendar better—they help you align your leadership with God's purposes for your life and ministry.
Here's how coaching specifically strengthens Christian leaders:
It provides an outside perspective when you're too close to see clearly. Just as Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that "iron sharpens iron," a coach asks questions that challenge your assumptions and illuminate blind spots.
It creates consistent accountability that keeps growth on track. Many leaders start strong with development goals but get sidetracked by urgent demands. Regular coaching sessions ensure your growth remains a priority.
It offers personalized development custom to your unique context. Unlike books or conferences with general advice, coaching addresses your specific challenges, strengths, and calling.
It integrates faith and leadership practice, helping you apply biblical principles to real-world leadership situations. This integration is often missing in secular leadership development.
It provides a confidential space to process doubts, failures, and questions that might be difficult to share with those you lead.
At Share The Struggle, our approach to coaching is built on our Captive Thoughts model, which applies 2 Corinthians 10:5 to leadership challenges: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This framework helps leaders identify thought patterns that undermine their effectiveness and replace them with biblical truth.
One ministry director who experienced our coaching shared: "I was constantly second-guessing myself and feeling inadequate. Through coaching, I learned to recognize these thought patterns as lies and replace them with God's truth about my identity and calling. My leadership is more confident and fruitful now, and I actually enjoy leading again."
We've designed our coaching options to meet different needs and budgets:
Weekly group sessions with up to 8 people ($40/month) provide community-based growth
Weekly 25-minute one-on-one sessions or bi-weekly 50-minute sessions ($180/month) offer personalized guidance
Weekly 50-minute one-on-one coaching ($360/month) provides in-depth development
Weekly 50-minute couples coaching ($400/month) supports leaders and spouses together
Whether you're a new leader establishing your foundation or a seasoned leader navigating new challenges, coaching provides the structured support and accountability that accelerates your growth in Christ-like leadership.
As you consider how to grow as a Christian leader, even Jesus—who had perfect communion with the Father—invested in relationships that supported His earthly ministry. Coaching offers that same kind of intentional relationship focused on helping you become the leader God has called you to be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing as a Christian Leader
How can coaching help me grow as a Christian leader?
Have you ever felt stuck in your leadership journey, knowing you want to grow but unsure how to move forward? You're not alone. Many Christian leaders reach plateaus where books and conferences just aren't enough anymore.
Coaching creates a unique space for personalized growth that's hard to find elsewhere. Unlike generic leadership resources, a coach works directly with your specific challenges, strengths, and ministry context. They help you see blind spots that might be holding you back—things you simply can't identify on your own.
"My coach asked questions no one else in my life was brave enough to ask," shared one pastor we worked with. "Those uncomfortable questions led to breakthroughs I wouldn't have reached for years on my own."
The beauty of coaching is the accountability it provides. We all have good intentions about growing as leaders, but life gets busy. Having regular appointments with someone who knows your goals and will check in on your progress creates momentum that's hard to maintain alone.
At Share The Struggle, our Captive Thoughts coaching approach helps leaders identify and transform thought patterns that limit their effectiveness. We've seen remarkable changes when leaders learn to bring their thought life—including doubts, fears, and assumptions—under the authority of Christ.
What role does integrity play in Christian leadership?
Integrity isn't just one quality among many for Christian leaders—it's the foundation everything else stands on. When your words and actions align, people trust you. When they don't, no amount of charisma or vision-casting can make up for it.
Think about leaders who've influenced you most deeply. Chances are, their consistency between public teaching and private living made a lasting impression. As Proverbs 10:9 reminds us, "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."
Integrity builds trust with those you lead. People follow leaders they trust before they follow good ideas. One slip in integrity can undo years of trust-building in an instant.
Integrity provides stability in decision-making. Leaders with strong integrity make choices based on unchanging principles rather than shifting circumstances or opinions.
Integrity reflects Christ, who perfectly embodied truth in every aspect of His life. Christian leaders are called to mirror His character to those they serve.
You'll never fully understand how important integrity is until you face a crisis. As one ministry leader told us, "It's easy to talk about integrity when everything's going well. The real test comes when doing the right thing costs you something."
Remember—people are watching not just what you do in public but who you are when no one's looking. Your private choices shape your public impact more than you might realize.
How can Christian leaders balance personal growth with leadership responsibilities?
This might be the question I hear most often from overwhelmed Christian leaders: "How do I pour into others without running dry myself?" It's the leadership equivalent of trying to drive cross-country without stopping for gas—eventually, you'll find yourself stranded.
The truth is, your leadership can only be as healthy as you are. Your spiritual vitality, emotional health, and personal development directly impact your effectiveness in guiding others. Yet ministry demands can easily crowd out the very practices that fuel sustainable leadership.
Start by protecting sacred time for your own spiritual formation. Block time in your calendar for prayer, Scripture, and reflection with the same commitment you'd give to your most important meetings. One pastor shared with me, "I finally realized no one was going to protect my time with God except me."
Look for integration opportunities between your personal growth and leadership responsibilities. When God teaches you something in your quiet time, consider how it might benefit those you lead. Your personal journey often becomes the source of your most authentic teaching.
Accept the power of delegation. Many Christian leaders burn out trying to do everything themselves. Jesus invested heavily in twelve people who would carry on His work. Who are you equipping to share your load?
Create accountability around your personal growth. Working with a coach or meeting regularly with a trusted friend who will ask tough questions about your spiritual health—not just your ministry metrics—can keep you honest about your inner life.
One ministry leader told us, "The coaching relationship finally gave me permission to prioritize my own spiritual health. I realized I wasn't being selfish—I was being a good steward of the leadership God entrusted to me."
Remember the flight attendant's instructions: "Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others." Your ability to lead effectively depends on your commitment to your own growth in Christ. When you're spiritually nourished, you have so much more to offer those you serve.
Conclusion
The journey of how to grow as a Christian leader isn't a destination but a continuous path of development. Like a garden that requires consistent tending, your leadership abilities need regular nurturing through humility, integrity, service, communication, and spiritual connection.
Think about the leaders who have most impacted your life. Chances are they embodied many of the qualities we've explored—they probably served others before themselves, communicated with clarity and compassion, and maintained a vibrant relationship with God that informed their decisions and actions.
Your leadership matters. Not for personal recognition or advancement, but because effective Christian leadership creates ripple effects that extend far beyond what you can see. When you lead well, you create environments where others can flourish, find their gifts, and multiply impact for God's kingdom.
But here's the truth many leaders don't want to admit: this journey is incredibly challenging to walk alone. Even Jesus, who had perfect communion with the Father, invested deeply in relationships with His disciples. Paul mentored Timothy. Barnabas encouraged Mark. Throughout scripture, we see the pattern of leaders developing in community, not isolation.
This is where coaching enters the picture—not as a luxury, but as a strategic investment in your leadership effectiveness. At Share The Struggle, we've seen countless Christian leaders experience breakthrough moments through our Captive Thoughts coaching approach. One pastor shared, "After 15 years in ministry, I was running on empty. Coaching helped me identify thought patterns that were draining my leadership energy and replace them with biblical truth. I'm leading from abundance again, not scarcity."
Our flexible coaching options are designed to meet you where you are:
Weekly group coaching creates community and shared learning
One-on-one sessions provide personalized guidance for your specific leadership challenges
Couples coaching helps ministry leaders and their spouses steer the unique pressures of leadership together
As Jesus reminded us in Matthew 20:26-28: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This servant-hearted approach remains the foundation of truly transformative Christian leadership today.
Your effectiveness as a leader ripples through your family, church, organization, and community. Why not give yourself the gift of structured support on this journey? To find how coaching can accelerate your growth as a Christian leader, visit our coaching services page or reach out to our team in Carlsbad, CA. We're ready to walk alongside you as you continue becoming the leader God has called you to be.