Crucified Leadership

Crucified Leadership

Leadership is a word that carries weight.

Recently, I was in a conversation that moved from Scripture to current events, and somewhere along the way someone asked me how I view leadership. I laughed and told them it was a loaded question. Especially when we’re talking about church leadership.

If I’m honest, I haven’t always viewed it the way I do now.

In my first few years of ministry, I followed the leadership model I had seen around me. It was what I knew. It was what had been demonstrated. Then one day, about two years into ministry, a pastor stopped by to talk with me. He was weary. Discouraged. Struggling.

He shared how the pressures and challenges of ministry were wearing him down and even shaking his faith. I remember thinking, If this is ministry, I want out now. Save me the trouble.

But I will never forget what he said next:  “Dan, I did not come here to tell you to leave the ministry. I am here to tell you that you need to find out who you are and then be that person no matter what.”

At the time, I thought that sounded simple enough. If I could just “be myself,” surely that would make leadership easier.

I was wrong.

That very evening, I read this verse:

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Something shifted in me that night.  God began to show me that leadership was not something I did. It was who I was — or more accurately, who Christ was in me.

Leadership could not be turned on for a few hours at church and turned off at home. It could not be compartmentalized. It had to begin with personal transformation. It had to flow into my marriage, my family, my work — every breath I take.

There was no separation. No compromise. No pretending.

At the time, it was just a concept. Over the years, it has become conviction.

So how do I approach church leadership now?

1. Leadership Is Serving
True leadership has taught me the joy of serving. Serving creates relationship, and relationship deepens growth. There is something beautiful about growing together — about seeing the fruit of shared labor.  And serving means giving freely, not expecting anything in return. The gift of God is free. When we give freely from the heart, God receives the glory and honor He deserves.

2. Leadership Is Resilience
Leadership has taught me not to be swayed by personal opinions, trends, or the desire to quit when disagreement comes.  It means not always needing to be right — but always standing firm on God’s Word.  It means standing for truth, even when it does not align with the worldview around us.

3. Leadership Is Forgiveness
Leadership has taught me the art of forgiveness — receiving it and giving it.
It means releasing offenses and refusing to let my mind, heart, or conscience harbor bitterness. Even when you are right, you let go and trust God to settle the matter.
It may not be resolved tomorrow. It may not be resolved next year. It may not even be resolved in this lifetime.  But God will settle it — in His timing and in the right way.

4. Leadership Is Loving Deeply
Perhaps most of all, leadership has taught me to love deeply.
And yes, loving deeply means that grief can be heavy. Loss can hurt. Relationships can wound.  But God restores strength and courage in the middle of grief so that we can continue to love long and love well. His grace points the way forward.


Leadership, for me, is not about position. It is not about influence. It is not about control.
It is about being crucified with Christ — and allowing Him to live through me.

My friend, as you seek God, our prayer is that you would discover who you truly are in Jesus Christ. When you find that, leadership — in your home, your workplace, your church — becomes an overflow of who He is in you.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Dan