Dear Pastor,
Can I be honest with you for a moment? In nearly every church, there are people who are quietly trying to help move the church forward. They’re passionate, hopeful, and full of ideas. And I believe they’re not there by accident.
Builders are those who think differently, challenge norms, and have a vision for what could be. They’re assigned to churches for a reason. They’ve been placed there to help carry vision, stretch thinking, and transform ministry. But often, there’s a common roadblock they keep running into: they don’t feel like they have leadership’s buy-in.
They’re not being rebellious or trying to take control. They just see the church’s potential and want to contribute to it achieving its mission. But without support and a seat at the table, they feel stuck.
Here’s the truth: when leadership buy-in is missing, it doesn’t just make things harder. It makes building almost impossible. Ideas die before they start, momentum stalls, and innovation fades. The people who are qualified and gifted to help begin to hold back, not because they’ve given up, but because they don’t believe that their opinions or ideas will be heard and considered. And that’s often because what they have to contribute looks a lot different from what’s currently being done.
On the flip side, when leadership says, “I see you, I trust you, let’s build this together,” something powerful happens. Teams get bolder, think bigger, and feel safe enough to contribute at their highest level.
If you’ve got people on your team who keep raising their hand, showing up with ideas, and pushing for better, it’s not because they want attention. It’s because they believe in the mission. These are people worth listening to.
Here’s how you can better support the builders in your church:
- Invite them into the vision early.
Before the announcement needs to be made or the event hits the calendar, bring your team into the conversation. Share the why behind the what. Let them see the heart before they’re asked to build the pieces. When your team understands the bigger picture, they can contribute ideas that go far beyond logistics and help shape a stronger outcome. - Create space for collaboration, not just execution.
Teams get stuck when they’re treated like task-doers instead of thought partners. Ask them what’s working and what’s not. Let them challenge assumptions and offer alternatives. Their insights are often rooted in both proximity and passion, and they’re trying to help, not criticize. - Give them margin to think and plan.
Reactive work creates burnout. When everything is last-minute, rushed, or unclear, it strips your team’s ability to lead thoughtfully. Honor their time by giving them lead time. Share what’s coming up. Ask what they need to be successful. Thoughtful leadership invites thoughtful work. - Trust their leadership.
If you’ve empowered someone to lead, trust them to lead. Let them own their lane. Don’t just ask for deliverables, ask for their input. Make it safe to speak up. When they know their voice matters, they’ll bring their best ideas forward. - Recognize what they’re carrying.
Many church staff and volunteers wear multiple hats, often quietly. Acknowledge it. Encourage them. Not just with praise, but with real support: clearer expectations, better tools, and a culture that values sustainability.
Pastor, you don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to do everything yourself. And the people who are assigned to help you build ministry need your partnership. Let them in and watch what’s possible when you do it together.
Rooting for you,
Andrea❤️
