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What is the biggest need most ministry leaders have?

The answer might be different that you’d expect.

Years ago, we conducted an informal survey with ministry leaders, specifically pastors in visible roles—teaching pastors, senior pastors, lead pastors, worship pastors. The survey had just one question, and participants were given a list to choose from. They could only pick one option. The question was: As a leader, what is your biggest need or struggle?

The list of options was extensive, including things like needing more time, more staff, better staff, more money, more space, more leaders—the list went on. Our goal was to understand the single, top priority need.

The answer surprised me.

If you had asked me beforehand, I would’ve said time or money. I knew what it was like to be in ministry, to feel the scarcity of time, money, and team members—all those things.

But 90% of the people chose something I had almost left off the list, something I included at the last minute, not expecting anyone to select it.

The word they chose was encouragement.

The thing they needed most wasn’t time, staff, or money—it was encouragement. This revelation was eye-opening for me.

When I reflected on it, I realized I could deeply relate, though I hadn’t classified it as a major need in my own ministry experience. I remembered the feelings of isolation, of being beaten down at times, but somehow I hadn’t considered encouragement to be as critical as time or money.

Ministry is one of those places where encouragement is often absent, especially if you’re in a senior leadership role. Encouragement doesn’t come in the same way it might in the business world, where positive reinforcement and rewards for good work are more common. In business, performance reviews, bonuses, or extra time off are part of the culture, blending intrinsic and external rewards.

Pastors don’t get an “Employee of the Month” plaque. It doesn’t work like that. Most of the time, in ministry, the rewards need to be entirely intrinsic.

So why bring this up?Be intentional about recognizing good work.
Wins and losses create balance.

But what about the leader who’s in charge of all this?

For senior leaders, there’s often no one above us to provide feedback or encouragement. That can be lonely. I’ve experienced it myself—after encouraging a client, I’ll often wish someone would do the same for me. But part of leadership is embracing that reality.

I’ve had to shift my mindset. Instead of focusing on what I don’t get, I’ve learned to appreciate what I do get. I get to work with ministries. I get to partner with pastors who care deeply about God’s work. That’s a privilege, and it’s a huge encouragement in itself.

So, as a leader, try being intentional about setting your mind on what’s above and also on the privilege of the work God has called you into. That’s a source of encouragement, even in the hard times.

Let me wrap this up with a simple encouragement.

Whether you lead a church, a school, a nonprofit, or a business, if you’re pursuing what God has called you to do and working to see others’ lives changed, that is something very special. Ministry isn’t easy—if it were, everyone would be doing it. But it’s not, so most don’t. But you are.

Be encouraged. God is using you for kingdom impact. And though we may not always see the full impact of our work, trust that it matters.

Jason-Lehman-profile-bw2
Written By:

Jason Lehman

Lead Strategist & Founder
Jason writes and consults in a variety of areas including: Communication Strategy, Perception Studies, Brand Strategy, Donor Strategy

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