Do You Remember Why You Started?
We’ve all been there—knee-deep in ministry work, juggling sermons, meetings, pastoral care, and event planning. But here’s the hard truth:
👉 If you don’t know why you’re doing what you’re doing, you don’t actually know what you’re doing.
Sound dramatic? Maybe, but think about it.
When church leaders lose sight of the mission Jesus gave us, everything becomes reactive. We default to traditions, get caught up in keeping programs running, and mistake activity for effectiveness.
The problem? Busyness doesn’t equal discipleship.
What Happens When You Lose the ‘Why’?
When pastors and church leaders lose sight of the Great Commission, ministries drift. Here’s how it plays out:
1. Decisions Become Arbitrary
Without a clear why, every new initiative, event, or ministry idea feels equally urgent. You start making decisions based on keeping people happy instead of advancing the mission.
2. Teams Lose Motivation
Volunteers, staff, and even the congregation need to see how their efforts fit into God’s bigger plan. Without that, they disengage, burn out, or start wondering if what they’re doing even matters.
3. Evangelism and Discipleship Stall
When the why gets fuzzy, churches shift from making disciples to just managing programs. Instead of asking, “How are we equipping people to follow Jesus?” we settle for, “We’ve always done it this way.”
4. Leaders Burn Out Faster
Ministry is tough. But when you’re just grinding away without a deep sense of purpose, it’s exhausting. The weight of leadership becomes unbearable when you forget you were never meant to carry it alone.
How to Reconnect With Your Why
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just going through the motions, it’s time to refocus. Here’s how:
1. Ask the Why Question Relentlessly
Every decision, ministry, and meeting should be filtered through these questions:
✅ Does this help us reach people for Jesus?
✅ Are we making disciples—or just keeping people busy?
Keep drilling down until you get to the heart of your calling.
2. Align Every Task to the Mission
Jesus didn’t call us to run a church; He called us to build the Church by making disciples.
👉 Every program, service, and initiative should tie back to that mission. If it doesn’t, why are we doing it?
3. Communicate the Why Constantly
Vision leaks. People need to hear the why over and over again—from the pulpit, in staff meetings, and in one-on-one conversations.
You can’t assume people just “get it.” Keep reinforcing it.
4. Measure What Matters
It’s easy to track attendance, giving, and event participation—but what about transformation?
🔹 Are lives being changed?
🔹 Are people growing in their faith?
🔹 Are more people sharing the gospel?
If we don’t measure what matters, we’ll end up measuring what’s easy.
5. Say No to the Wrong Things
Not every good idea is a God idea.
Some things distract more than they disciple. If it doesn’t align with the mission, have the courage to say no—even if it’s popular.
Leading With Purpose
The best church leaders aren’t just effective at getting things done. They’re effective at getting the right things done for the right reasons.
When you clarify your why, you’ll never feel lost about what you’re doing. You’ll lead with boldness and conviction, knowing that every step is a step toward advancing the Kingdom of God.
💡 So, what’s your why?
Are you leading with passion and purpose—or just leading out of habit?
Call to Action
🚀 Need help clarifying your church’s mission and strategy? Let’s work together. Visit Church Accelerator Community to explore resources, coaching, and consulting opportunities. Sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to see what’s happening in your church when you’re leading the church. It can feel like trying to read the label from inside the bottle. We can help.
Quotes for Inspiration
🗨️ “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” — Proverbs 29:18
🗨️ “He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30
🗨️ “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” — Hudson Taylor
Resources for Further Learning
📚 Books
- Start with Why – Simon Sinek
- Church Unique – Will Mancini
- Deep & Wide – Andy Stanley
One More Thing…
At Church Accelerator, we offer consulting, workshops, content, and community to help churches break through barriers and grow their church.
Work with us in the way that best works for you:
✅ RESOURCES: Save 49 hours every month for only $49.
✅ WORKSHOPS & WORKING SESSIONS: Experience our Church Accelerator Workshop, a 2-day process with your core team where we clarify your vision, dream about your future, discover your current reality, and design an actionable plan.
✅ CONSULTING ENGAGEMENTS: Great churches don’t happen by accident. We coach and consult with churches with fewer than 100 attendees to churches with over 10,000 to improve discipleship pathways, communication and preaching, church engagement, and church leadership.
✅ ON-DEMAND EXECUTIVE: Add me to your executive team conversations and get a fresh perspective through a personal partnership.
Starting at just $49 – 🚀 Don’t wait—become a partner today.
Leading WITH You,
Dr. Gavin Adams
