Simple Leadership Statements that Have Challenged Me through the Years, Part 1

I collect challenging, inspiring, and instructive sayings from leaders I respect. I’m grateful for others who’ve taught me, and I want my own mentees to know these sayings. Here are several of them from my growing list, and I will add more on tomorrow’s post.  

  • “Pray first, decide second.”
  • “Most of the time, the few people who are loud make it seem like a lot more people are upset than really are.”
  • “Don’t get bothered if somebody gets mad at you for putting your family before your ministry.”
  • “Your paycheck is God’s money. Earn it before you take it.”
  • “Much of the time, things aren’t as bad as they seem.”
  • “In the end of your ministry, it’ll be just you and your wife sitting on the couch. If you want to hold hands then, hold hands now.”
  • “Secrets destroy marriages and ministries.”
  • “Plan for retirement at age 20, and you’ll be glad you did when you get there.”
  • “If the Lord blesses you with money, giving it away is an option. Generosity matters.”
  • “Don’t worry about marrying a woman who feels called to be a minister’s wife. Marry someone who feels called to be your wife.”
  • “Delegate what others can do better than you can. And, that means admitting that some people can do stuff better than you.”
  • “Pave the way for somebody else to be a leader after you.”
  • “Quit worrying about tomorrow. God’s will today is present tense.”
  • “If you’re going to tell jokes in the pulpit, make sure you’re good at it. More importantly,  make sure the joke contributes to the message.”
  • “You won’t end well if you wait until later to make that commitment.”
  • “False humility is still arrogance. It’s patting yourself on the back behind everybody else’s back.”
  • “It’s really easy to do ministry in your own power.”
  • “If your church members can’t apply your sermon on Monday, you’ve probably not done enough in your preaching on Sunday.”
  • “A man is never as good as he thinks he is.” 
  • “Southern Baptists [or whatever your denominational affiliation is] aren’t the only Christians around.”

Which of these sayings is most helpful or challenging to you?  What memorable statements would you add to this list?

5 Comments

  • Jeff says:

    Love to see who is credited for this quotes where you still have those in your notes Chuck!

  • Sean Lee says:

    Dont take down a fence unless you know why it was put up. Sean Lee. 😀

  • Preacher's Wife says:

    I totally disagree with the marriage quote. If a girl is “called” to marry a minister, she better understand she is “called” to a life of sacrificing her own plans/career. Unfortunately, not many Christian girls these days are willing to do that. Just because she loves a minister doesn’t mean she is willing to follow him anywhere for the sake of his call, and that his call will need to take precedence over every decision in their lives.

  • John Thomas says:

    Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader…they set out to make a difference. It is never about the role, it’s always about the goal. Lisa Haisha

  • Vic says:

    “Time is a friend of the truth. Truth is confirmed over time.”
    ‘Sin is always in a hurry.”

Leave a Reply to VicCancel reply

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