The Abiding Leader Podcast

In Part 2 of Six Things I’ve Learnt in Ministry So Far, I share three lessons about leading with faith, staying true to Spirit-given convictions rather than people’s expectations, and embracing the ordinary, often unseen work of ministry. 

After more than twenty years in ministry, I’ve learnt that leadership is not only about what we do, but who we become while we are doing it. In Part 1, I share three lessons about criticism, exhaustion and remembering that the ministry belongs to Jesus.

People leaving your church can be painful, but they can also be one of your greatest opportunities for growth as a leader.

In this episode, we explore four types of people who leave a church and how pastors should respond to each. We'll discuss why some departures are healthy, why others require prayer, and why "good people" leaving may reveal important leadership blind spots.

In this episode, we explore the difference between the spiritual gift of pastoring and the gift of leadership — and why confusing the two may be creating unhealthy expectations in the church. What if shepherding people and leading people are distinct gifts meant to work together rather than exist equally in one person? Join us for an honest conversation about church leadership, shared ministry, burnout, and building healthier church cultures that honour both pastors and leaders.

In this short episode, we explore the importance of learning to switch off from ministry and rest in God. Through a simple but powerful practice—“taking off your priestly garments”—we’re reminded that faithful leadership includes knowing when to step back, be present at home, and trust the Chief Shepherd to keep working.

Ministry was never meant to be your identity, only your overflow. In this episode, we explore how ministry idolatry leads to burnout, the signs to watch for, and how returning to daily moments with God can restore joy, clarity, and rest in your leadership.

In this episode, we explore the vital relationship between discipleship and leadership in the life of the church. While discipleship shapes spiritual maturity and forms followers of Jesus, leadership ensures we stay aligned with the mission to make those disciples. We unpack the dangers of overcorrecting toward one at the expense of the other—and why a healthy, thriving church needs both depth and direction to remain spiritually vibrant and missionally effective.

The "Church game" is radically different from the Church that Jesus is building. Instead, it is the church that ego, pressure, and comparison are building. The question is: Have you been caught up in the game? And if so, how do we escape it?