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Why We Never Vote for Leaders at Saddleback

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Leadership is an important part of ministry. In fact, most ministries rise and fall on leadership. You can have a ministry that meets a real need in your community. You can give it all the resources it needs to thrive. You can support it financially and prayerfully. But if you don’t have effective leaders, your ministry won’t last. So how do you find the right leaders for your ministries? Some churches get leaders by voting for them. We’ve never done that at Saddleback—and here are six reasons why:

Some people will never get involved if the position needs to be voted on.

Many people who could be leaders in your church won’t put themselves through an election. They can’t handle the rejection

New ministries need to develop slowly, without the bright lights of public scrutiny.

That’s why we start every ministry small. Whenever someone comes up with a ministry idea, they often want to start it with big fanfare. We don’t do that. We want to give the ministry a chance to get planted and develop roots before it gets a lot of attention.

New members can get involved more quickly when you don't vote on your ministry leaders.

When a new member joins a church, it sometimes takes years before he or she is able to get involved in “the inner circle.” After five or six years, if the person proves faithful, they get nominated to a certain ministry, committee, or board. Then they get to serve. We want to eliminate all those hoops. We want to move people into ministry quickly. At Saddleback, a person can join the church and take Class 101 one month, Class 201 the next month, Class 301 the third month, and then participate in a SHAPE interview. Within four months, that person can be a lay pastor. Plus, we have roles where people can join one day and start serving the next. These opportunities get members involved in ministry quickly. (Learn more about the CLASS Discipleship Program, HERE).

It avoids attracting people who are looking for a title.

Many people pursue leadership positions in the church to build their prestige. If you turn your ministry positions into a popularity contest, you’ll attract some of these people. When you don't vote on ministry positions, the cream will rise to the top. You get people who are genuinely interested in serving, not necessarily wanting a fancy title.

If people fail, it makes removal easier.

If you publicly elect your lay ministers and your workers, then those positions become political hot potatoes. If they have a moral failure or they're just unqualified, you must publicly “de-elect” them. None of these leaders will leave by their own initiative. These issues have the potential to cause great division in your church. If you don't elect leaders, then you don't have to vote to remove them either.

You can respond more quickly to the Holy Spirit's leading.

If a person doesn’t need to go through a bunch of red tape to start a ministry, it allows your church to be ready for whatever God wants to do in your ministry. We’ve started new ministries on the spot after a service at Saddleback because we didn’t need to vote on a leader.For example, one week I preached a message on how we needed to care for one another in the family of God. At the end of the sermon, I asked, "Wouldn't it be great if we had some people who called other members and attendees in the church to see how they're doing?" Then I asked people who were interested if they would see me up front. About eight or nine people showed up that day, and we started a new ministry. If you don’t need to wait for a vote, you can be very responsive to what God is doing in your church as you begin new ministries. You may be asking yourself, “How will we know who our leaders are if we don’t vote for them?” It’s simple. You see who people are following. The people who look over their shoulders and don’t see anyone following are not leaders. It's like the old quote: "He who thinketh, he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk." You won’t need to tell the church who the real leaders are. People naturally want to follow people whom God has gifted with leadership.

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5 Ways God Uses Your Ministry Problems

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.” Psalm 119:71–72 (NLT)Ministry is filled with problem-solving opportunities. And each problem you face as a pastor will either defeat you or develop you, depending on how you respond.When pastors encounter challenges—an unexpected resignation, a strained marriage in the congregation, a sermon that didn’t connect, or just the weight of heavy responsibilities—they often react with frustration or discouragement. That’s understandable. But when you pause to ask, “How might God be using this?” you open the door for growth, not just in yourself but in your church.Here are five ways God often uses problems in your ministry:1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.Sometimes God uses ministry disruptions to redirect your path. Maybe he’s showing you a different way to lead, preach, or shepherd. As Proverbs 20:30 says, “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways” (GNT). Don’t waste the detour—God might be leading you to something better aligned with your calling.2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.Leadership always reveals what's inside. And ministry problems will test your motivations, your humility, and your trust in God. As James 1:2-3 says, “When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience” (NCV). What is this challenge revealing about your faith?3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.Even seasoned pastors need course corrections. Sometimes God allows difficulty to realign our hearts with his Word. That’s what the psalmist meant: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71 NLT). Has God been using hardship to refocus your heart on his voice?4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.You may not see it now, but some problems are God’s way of shielding you. Maybe that job you didn’t get, the growth that didn’t happen, or the retreat that fell through was actually God’s grace. Like Joseph, you’ll eventually be able to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.You are being shaped for eternity. As Paul writes, “We know that [problems] help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character” (Romans 5:3-4 NLT). Every challenge is refining your soul to make you more like Christ. God is not just preparing sermons through you—he’s preparing you through the fire.You’re going to face difficulties in ministry—maybe even today. But when you do, remember you have a choice. You can let them defeat you. Or you can choose to let God direct, inspect, correct, protect, and perfect you through them.And when you do, you're not just growing as a leader—you're becoming more like Jesus.

Your Shepherd Will Sustain You

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”  Romans 8:32 (NLT)Pastor, as you begin this new week of ministry, it’s easy to feel the weight of unmet needs pressing in on you. Whether it’s the pressure to prepare a meaningful sermon, carry others’ burdens, or lead with clarity in uncertain times—stress has a way of creeping in.Often, stress flows from one root cause: worry. We wonder whether we’ll have what we need—wisdom, strength, time, resources—when we need it. But here’s the truth: If you’re looking to your church, your paycheck, or even your own strength to meet all your needs, you’ll be disappointed. No person or position can shoulder that. Only God can.Some pastors find security in ministry success. But what happens when attendance drops? When criticism comes? When momentum slows? Others look to their families, finances, or future plans. But those can shift in a moment.Instead, root your security in what can never be taken from you—your relationship with Christ. Romans 8:32 reminds us: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (NLT).Yes, pastor. He will.This week, when worry takes over, stop and declare: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (Psalm 23:1 NLT). You are not alone. The One who called you is also the One who will sustain you. He will give you what you need—when you need it.So take a deep breath. God’s got you. You can trust him with every part of your week.

What to Do When Someone Is Dying

Pastor, at some point this year, you’ll likely be called upon to minister to someone who is dying. Nothing prepares you for that moment like experience—and nothing tests your heart like sitting beside someone facing death.Even with all your training and Bible knowledge, walking into a room where someone is dying can shake you to your core. What do you say? How do you bring comfort? You can’t promise healing—that’s in God’s hands. But you can bring comfort.Here’s how to offer C.O.M.F.O.R.T. to someone who is dying.C: Confront Your Own FearsBefore you can help someone else, you must deal with your own fear of death. Fear of death is natural; many people avoid funerals because they’re afraid of facing death.But as a pastor, you can’t afford to hide from that fear. Instead, you need to admit it. Acknowledge it. And then trust God to help you overcome it. You’re not going to mess anything up by showing up. You’re not going to say the wrong thing. Just be present. Trust that God will use you.O: Offer Your Physical PresenceThe most powerful ministry you can provide is your presence.You don’t have to say much. You might not say anything at all. Just being there—sitting in the room, holding a hand, offering a quiet word of prayer—can be more comforting than any sermon. People should not have to face death alone.M: Minister with Practical AssistanceAsk, “How can I help?”Dying people are often in pain or discomfort. Your willingness to do simple, practical things—adjusting a pillow, turning on a fan, bringing water or ice chips—communicates love. No task is too small. These small acts of service reflect the love of Christ.F: Fortify Them with Emotional SupportPeople who are dying carry heavy emotional burdens. You can help lighten that load.One of the best ways to do this is through prayer. But don’t just say you’re praying—pray aloud with them. Reflect their emotions in your prayers. If they say they’re frustrated, pray, “Lord, Susie is feeling frustrated right now.” If they say they’re scared, pray, “God, Bob is feeling anxious and afraid.” That’s intercession—standing in the gap for someone who doesn’t have the strength to pray.O: Open Them Up with QuestionsDying people often carry a swirl of unspoken emotions—fear, regret, guilt, sadness. Open-ended questions help draw those feelings out.If they ask, “Am I going to die?” don’t pretend you know the answer. Instead, reframe the question: “What does dying mean to you?” That kind of question opens the door for meaningful conversation.And if they don’t want to talk about death? That’s okay. Follow their lead. The goal is not to force a conversation but to create space if they want to share.R: Remember the Family Has Needs TooMinistry doesn’t end with the dying—it extends to the family.Ask the hard questions that family members might feel awkward bringing up, like: “Have you made any final arrangements?” “Is there anything you’d like to say to your loved ones?” Your presence can bring clarity and peace to those standing by.Friends care for friends—and for their families too.T: Turn Them to JesusThe most important ministry you can offer is spiritual.If the person hasn’t yet trusted Christ, lovingly share the Good News. Let them know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and offers eternal life. Invite them to pray with you. This may be the most important moment of their life—and of your ministry.You don’t need all the right words. You just need to bring the presence of Christ into the room. Walk in with compassion. Offer C.O.M.F.O.R.T. And trust that God will use you to bring peace in someone’s final days.

Why Your Health Matters to Your Ministry

Your body is a tool for ministry. God wants to use you to fulfill his purposes in the world—but he won’t do it without your cooperation. That means you must take care of your body.The Bible says: "Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT).If you want God to use you more effectively in the year ahead, it starts with your health.1. Recognize that your body matters to GodThe Living Bible paraphrase says, "You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws” (Psalm 119:73) God created your body and established principles of good health. You need a balance of sleeping, eating, and exercising to serve effectively.Chances are you need to work on at least one of these areas:Sleep: Some of you are tired all the time—not because you’re overworked in ministry, but because you stay up late doing things that don’t matter. A single extra hour of sleep each night could significantly increase your energy for ministry. “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night . . . for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT).Eating: Let’s be honest—God made food taste great. But self-control is necessary. What you eat—and what you avoid—impacts your health and your ministry.Exercise: Every January, people launch into exercise plans. But by February, those plans are often forgotten. Don’t let that happen. Put your plan on the calendar. Make it a commitment, not a whim.2. Develop a healthy attitude toward your bodyYou can choose the wrong attitude. You can choose to neglect it, reject it, or try to perfect it (worship your body). None of those honor God.The right attitude is to respect and protect your body. Why?Because God made it, Jesus died for it, and the Holy Spirit lives in it.3. Discipline yourself for an eternal rewardPaul writes, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT).You’re not getting in shape just to look good—you’re doing it to fulfill your life mission and serve God with strength.So, pastor, make this the time to get in shape—for the glory of God and the good of others. Watch how God uses you more effectively in ministry when you take care of the body he gave you.

At Pastors.com, our passion is to have healthy pastors leading healthy churches for the global glory of God.