Top 10 Leadership Skills Of Pastors Of Fast Growing Churches

Recently, I had a conversation with a local Christian leader regarding Andy Stanley and the growth of North Point Community Church.  He asked with genuine honesty, “Brian, why can’t my church grow like North Point?”  We then began to talk through North Point’s focus, approach to ministry and development of a leadership culture.  It quickly became apparent to both of us his ministry and leadership paradigm was severely lacking and the results were reflective.

In its September issue, Inc. Magazine compared the top 10 personality traits of CEOs of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America with 2,700 of their counterparts.  The results were startling and made me reflect on the conversation mentioned above.  As I read the findings, I realized how much the personality traits of CEOs of fast growing companies reflected the traits of pastors of fast growing churches.

Utilizing the Inc. magazine list as a template, the following are The Top 10 Leadership Skills Of Pastors Of Fast Growing Churches.

***Disclaimer*** – This post is obviously not an exhaustive list.  It does not include vital pastoral elements such as a deep love of Jesus and His Word, spiritual fruit, character, purity, a healthy marriage, a vibrant prayer life, a heart for discipleship and a burning desire to see lives changed and people reached for Jesus.  If you lack these traits, the following list will not help you.  However, if you do possess those traits, the following list will greatly accelerate your effectiveness as a pastor and leader.

1. Risk Taker – Pastors, do you have R&D built into your budget?  Are you constantly trying new things?  85% of fast growing CEOs enthusiastically took on new challenges.  These individuals were optimistic about risk but balanced their decisions to attempt new things in a well-researched and methodical manner. Only 22% of the other 2,700 CEOs possessed risk-taking traits.
2. Business Focus – Pastors of fast growing churches understand the importance of numbers and hold people accountable for results and metrics.  72% of fast growing CEOs prioritized goals, metrics, profit and alignment of employees with these goals.  Only 20% of the other CEOs had a primary business focus.
3. Determination – Rick Warren said, “In experiments you fail most of the time but you learn to fail fast…At Saddleback we’re not that smart.  We’re just not afraid to fail.”  71% of fast growing CEOs had tremendous work ethic, confronted challenges, overcame obstacles and were undeterred by failure.  Only 23% of the other CEOs continually fought through challenges.
4. Delegator – John Maxwell teaches those closest to the leader determine the success of the leader.  61% of fast growing CEOs did more than just give work away.  Delegation means we collectively own the results.  Effective delegators draw from the abilities of those on their teams.  Only 22% of other CEOs were effective delegators.
5. Knowledge Seeker – 58% of fast growing CEOs were continual learners.  What is interesting about this group is how they learn.  The learning is specific and not just for knowledge.  Fast growing CEOs learn relevant information and apply it in such a way as to have a competitive advantage.  Only 23% of other CEOs were these type of learners.  Pastors, when you read a book or go to a conference, please do not come away with what you disagree with.  Rather, walk away with key learnings and action steps you can immediately begin implementing to make you, your staff and church better.
6. Creative Thinker – Pastors, how much time do you dedicate to strategic thinking on how to make the ministry better?  I bet it is a lot.  However, since there is no creativity without creation, how often are these thoughts put into action?  Fast growing CEOs not only generate new ideas but also think beyond current realities and options to move the organization forward.  Only 23% of other CEOs possessed quality thinking skills.
7. Confidence – Ministry is often indescribably difficult.  A pastor’s confidence and self-worth are constantly under assault.  54% of fast growing CEOs had the belief in their abilities to take initiative and build a great business.  21% of the 2,700 CEOs are probably more like you and definitely me.
8. Promoter – America’s best communicators are pastors.  We are truly blessed in this area and would grade far higher than the business community.  Only 53% of fast growing CEOs, the best of the best, were not only champions of the organization but could also effectively communicate the company’s mission and vision.  23% of other CEOs possessed a similar ability to express the virtues of the company.
9. Independence – Because of Who we serve and the impact of our message, I feel our pastors would grade much higher than CEOs in this area as well.  50% of fast growing CEOs were strong in the personality traits of self-reliance and responsibility.  20% of other CEOs take a different approach.
10. Relationship Builder – Both of the following statistics were bothersome to me.  Only 46% (less than half) of fast growing CEOs possessed high relational IQs and sought to build mutually beneficial relationships.  Worse, only 22% of the other 2,700 CEOs possessed the quality.  There is a tremendous need for pastors and leaders to understand and appreciate the value of people.  I am afraid we may be creating a generation of churches led by pastors who are CEOs rather than shepherds.

There are no perfect pastors and no pastor possesses all the spiritual gifts.  But it is the responsibility of leadership to ask which of these skills does your pastor have or not?  It is also leadership’s responsibility to ask it of themselves.  Let’s ask these questions today.

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