If you’re wondering why some churches thrive while others struggle, the answer almost always circles back to one factor: the quality of leaders in the church.

Unfortunately, churches don’t rise and fall on mission statements or strategies alone. They often rise and fall on leadership.

So, let’s talk about what that actually looks like. Because if you’re leading a church in any capacity, you’re not just managing a team or running services. You’re reaching souls, guiding culture, and pointing people toward the hope of the world—Jesus.

Understanding Church Leadership

Church leadership is more than a title or position. It’s a calling. And it comes with a weight that can either crush you or catalyze your growth.

From lead pastors to small group leaders, elders to youth directors, leadership in the church involves spiritual guidance, strategic vision, and emotional intelligence. These aren’t just optional soft skills—they’re essentials.

If you’re looking for a bible verse that outlines the qualities of a good leader, Jesus made it clear in Matthew 20:26: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” That flips everything upside down. In the Kingdom, leadership is about servanthood.

You’re not leading from power. You’re leading from love. And that changes everything.

Qualities of Effective Church Leaders

People follow character. And church leaders who last and make a lasting difference tend to share a few defining traits:

Humility

Pride will kill your leadership faster than burnout ever could. Humility is the foundation of trust. When you admit mistakes, seek feedback, and stay teachable, you open the door to growth for yourself and your team.

Integrity

Without integrity, nothing else matters. If your private life doesn’t match your public life, the gap will eventually become a chasm. Integrity builds influence, and influence is the currency of leadership.

Empathy

You can’t lead people you don’t love. Effective leaders don’t just preach well, they listen well. They understand the pain behind the prayer requests, the fatigue behind the fake smiles.

Vision

Visionless churches drift. Leaders bring clarity. They paint a picture of where the church is going and why it matters. 

On top of these four characteristics, here are 21 leadership essentials you need while leading a church.

There’s no one-size-fits-all model for church leadership. Some churches use a top-down approach; others are elder-led or team-based. The key isn’t to mimic someone else’s structure—it’s to choose a model that fits your mission and culture. Here’s a great place to start.

Ask yourself:

• Does this model promote accountability?
• Does it empower decision-making at the right levels?
• Does it serve the mission or slow it down?

And here’s the kicker: what worked five years ago may not work now. Churches need leaders who can adapt without losing their theological anchors. Leadership isn’t static—it’s a living, evolving discipline.

Impacts of Strong Church Leadership

When leadership is healthy, the entire church becomes healthy. It’s like oxygen—you don’t notice it until it’s missing.

Great leadership:

• Fosters unity in a world that’s increasingly divided
• Guides people toward spiritual maturity, not just church attendance
• Inspires community impact, because churches should be known more for what they do Monday through Saturday than what they say on Sunday
• Develops future leaders, so the mission outlives the current generation

For more on becoming a strong leader, Carey outlined 7 key characteristics of strong church leadership here.

Challenges and Solutions for Church Leaders

Let’s not sugarcoat it—leading in the church today isn’t easy. But challenges don’t have to derail you. They can refine you. Here are a few challenges you’ll likely face: 

Conflict and Diverse Opinions

Remember: The early church had conflict, too. Read Acts. But the key is how you handle it. Unity isn’t uniformity. It’s alignment around Jesus and the mission.

Balancing Pastoral and Leadership Roles

It’s easy to spend all your time caring for people and forget to lead them. But you weren’t called to be a chaplain—you were called to be a shepherd. And shepherds lead their sheep somewhere.

Burnout and Well-being

This one’s personal. We’ve been there—burned out, depleted, wondering if I could keep going. And I don’t want that for you. That’s why The Art of Leadership Academy exists—to help leaders grow without burning out.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make rest, boundaries, and soul care a priority.

Nurturing Leadership Development

Churches that thrive in the future are the ones building leaders today.

• Start a mentorship pipeline. It doesn’t have to be formal. Just invite someone into the journey.
• Create a culture where leadership development is the norm, not the exception.
• Encourage constructive feedback. Don’t fear criticism—use it as a tool for refinement.

If you’re looking for training for church leaders, we’ve curated resources that are practical, theologically grounded, and tested in real-world ministry.

Also, check out what Carey has written about church leader characteristics and the skills church leaders need today.

Final Thought

Your leadership matters more than you think.

Not because you’re the hero, but because you’re pointing people to the One who is. When leaders get better, churches get healthier. And when churches get healthier, communities change.

So keep growing. Keep leading. And remember, your calling is bigger than your challenges.