From Sacred Cows to Stakeholders: Why Leading a Church Is So Difficult

You made it through Easter weekend and you are exhausted. But you realize it's not just because of Easter. You've been tired for awhile. 

Perhaps, like me, you've led some organizations before you got into church leadership. You thought church would be easier. But it's significantly more difficult.

I've had the opportunity to be a leader in several types of organizations: Local churches, a not-for-profit ministry, and two for-profit businesses. Many people say church leadership is more difficult than leading any other type of organization—and they’re not wrong. Here’s why:

1. Unclear Lines of Authority

  • In a company, there's a clear hierarchy—CEO at the top, reporting lines beneath.

  • In a church, it can often be confusing who really holds the authority. Is it the senior pastor? The board? The congregation? Jesus?

  • Many churches have a lay board or committee structure that is separate, but intersects with a staff org structure. 

  • This ambiguity makes decision-making slower and consensus more elusive.

2. Volunteer Workforce

  • You’re leading teams that can’t be fired and don’t get paid. (Well actually, they can be fired, but that's an article for another day). Motivation looks different when compensation isn’t on the table.

  • Accountability is tricky. High expectations, low leverage. You lead by galvanizing and influencing rather than the promise of a bi-weekly paycheck.

3. Dual Bottom Line

  • Companies focus on profit. Churches care about transformation—and that’s much harder to measure.

  • And yet, churches also care about fiscal stewardship. Talking about meeting budget while counting spiritual decisions is tricky.

  • Every decision has both a strategic and a spiritual impact. You can’t separate them.

4. Sacred Cows Everywhere

  • In business, outdated programs or people get cut. In churches, they get protected—sometimes with Bible verses.

  • Change management is way harder when “we’ve always done it this way” is backed by decades of emotional and spiritual investment.

5. Unlimited Stakeholders

  • A company has customers, employees, and shareholders.

  • A church has staff, volunteers, donors, elders, longtime members, new believers, the community, and...God. Good luck pleasing all of them.

6. People Bring Their Whole Selves

  • Employees clock in. Church members bring their past, their pain, their passion, their church baggage, and their expectations for how God’s house should run.

  • You’re not just leading skillsets; you’re stewarding souls.

7. Conflict Is Harder to Address

  • In business, tough feedback is expected. In church, people often spiritualize dysfunction or avoid conflict in the name of “unity.”

  • "We need to extend grace" can lead to months or years of wasted money and lack of productivity.

  • Leaders often carry the burden silently, which fuels burnout.


Leading a church requires the strategic mind of a CEO, the emotional intelligence of a therapist, and the spiritual discernment of a shepherd. And you better be ready to do it all under a microscope, with limited resources, and in a culture that sometimes resists the very change it needs.

I don't say this to discourage you. I share it to let you know you are doing good work! You are tired for a reason. You need friends; you need boundaries; you need vacations and breaks and time to yourself to re-energize.

At LeadingSmart, we are in your corner. We stand behind, by, and with pastors and church leaders who have among the most difficult jobs. Way to go!

Now, go take a nap. 

Tim Stevens