You didn't ask to get called into Christian leadership. But, if you've been called, you'll give account to God for your faithful carrying out of that calling. Ministry is hard. Any kind of Christian leadership is hard. Whether you're a Pastor, church leader, board member or a leader in a Christian organization or ministry - you face the same kinds of stresses, frustrations and unrealistic demands and expectations as the ones that are causing some to crumble, stumble and fall.

I don't care how smart, wealthy, educated, talented, good-looking or well trained you are. There's no job on earth that you can have that is more serious and more demanding than being in the ministry and Christian work.  And it doesn't usually pay that well, if at all!

It's hard because you didn't choose it, Jesus Christ chose you.

It's hard because your spouse and family will have their lives impacted by your responding to the call to ministry.

It's hard because you will love the people that God gives you, but they may not love you.

It's hard because, in general, ministry doesn't pay well financially, in comparison to a secular profession that has the same stress levels, educational and people skills requirements.

It's hard because if you do well, people may or not recognize it, and if they do, they will give God all the glory - but if you DON'T do well, YOU will get all the blame.

It's hard because people have unrealistic expectations of you.

It's hard because the devil himself and the forces of hell will come against you to try to wear you out and discourage you.

It's hard because everything you do or don't do in the ministry has eternal consequences.

And, nothing should be easier or more fulfilling than being in the Christian leadership. You've been called by the Lord of Glory Himself. He has promised to equip, lead and guide you. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. There's no better use of your time than to invest it in the lives and spiritual wellbeing of the people you are called to serve the things of God to.

This website and the resources on it are born out of the challenges and the blessings of being in Christian leadership.

You'll find articles that will remind you what your calling and commitment are all about.

You'll find lots of "how to" stuff. Like how to bring change in your church or organization without splitting it. How to advertise and make an impact on the community even if your purse is small. How to get your people organized and functioning effectively.

You'll find a sample Church Constitution and By-Laws that you can customize for your own church situation (it also has notes with it to point out the reasons certain parts are worded the way they are!).  See below!

• How do you know when it's time to move on? You'll find some input here.

• What if "they" want to get rid of you, but you don't feel it's time to leave yet? What can you do?

• How can you expand the "original vision" which may have been cast by the founding members, who happened to be racist and/or sexist? Must God's work through your organization be forever shackled to their cultural limitations?

• How much power should a Board of Directors have over the leader and visionary?

• What questions should YOU ask when talking to a pulpit search committee? That's here, too.

• How about dealing with a family that controls the church or organization and wants to control you, as well?  What options do you have? I have articles here from fellow leaders who have successfully overcome these hurdles.

I've been in public ministry since I was 18 years old. I have played Gospel music professionally, toured the country, gave my testimony thousands of times in public during that time, made recordings, worked as a studio musician and very quickly saw the ugly side of the professional Christian music scene. I can say without reservation that Nashville has had a greater impact on the Christian music industry than the Christian music industry has had on Nashville.

I wasn't content with just being called and functioning. I went to Asbury College and majored in Theology. I wanted to learn all I could about the Bible and ministry. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree and hit the ground running, while continuing my education - ultimately my Masters in Divinity and a Ph.D. in psychology.

I worked for three years for the State of Maryland as a Department of Corrections Chaplain, and while there, met people who had formerly been active in church and ministry. I listened to their stories. I heard the pain of failure, the humiliation of falling for the things they fell for, and the shame of being incarcerated. And, I got to learn the life lessons that had cost them so heavily.

The Lord then called us to Europe where we spent four years in ministry. During this time I spoke in church conferences, retreats, conventions, national rallies, schools, colleges, universities and for various organizations. I got to spend time in the homes of some of the top men and women of God in the UK and Europe. I got to hear their hearts and understand their struggles.

I also got to spend time in India. I discovered that spiritual leaders there face the same pressures and challenges that leaders face everywhere - but the Indian leaders have their own understanding of these trials that is very different from how we interpret them in the West. I have brought some of these back for you.

I have pastored a local church for more than twenty years. I know the strains, pressures, financial and power struggles that Pastors and church leaders go through. A lot of them can be averted by having a good, solid church Constitution and By Laws (I've included one of the best ones you'll find anywhere).

What are you currently using for a Church Constitution? Does it protect and empower you as leader? DO you work for the Board or does the Board serve you, facilitating your ministry?  Does your constitution protect the work of God? Is it Biblical? Or, is it something that a group of people in the past came up with as a knee jerk reaction to the issues of their day?

I am a law enforcement Chaplain for local law enforcement agencies and for the FBI, being assigned to FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, and also serving at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. The Bureau give us some of the best training and information in the world. I'm an inaugural member of the Behavioral Science Unit's "Spirit of the Law" working group. I get work with some of the most intelligent and high functioning people in the country. I see them under all kinds of circumstances, heartaches and stresses. And, I learn from them probably more than they learn from me! You can benefit from some of these experiences. I bring you as much of that as possible.

Why am I telling you all this about myself? For one reason. So you can know that I have been around the block a few times, and that I understand the impact of peoples' unrealistic expectations, the demands of ministry on several levels, and the debilitating power of exhaustion. You need to know that you can find knowledgeable support and the type of professional (and confidential) support that you are looking for.

Check out the various sections and resources. I'd like to hear your feedback. I'd like to share your wisdom and experience, as well. Maybe your hard earned experience can save someone else some pain.

No matter how long you've been in Christian leadership and been in God's work, you'll find something here that will help you do a better job, be more effective, become a better leader, hurt less and have a good time while doing it!

In His Grace and Grip,

Steve Davis, M.Div.; Ph.D.

301-659-0194 No sales, marketing or "survey" calls accepted.

sdavis@stevedavis.org