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What’s Up:
If you’re leading a small church and still trying to balance every ministry role yourself, you’re not leading … you’re surviving. You need church champions.
So What:
Ephesians 4 isn’t a personality quiz. It’s a strategic staffing map. And in a church under 200, it’s the lead pastor who has to make sure those five roles get done … even if that means you’re going to have to wear more hats than you should.
The Point Is:
Lead Pastors Build the Team
You don’t have to wear all five hats forever. Your job is to ensure each role gets done. That means raising up champions and refusing to carry it all yourself.
Apostle First, Evangelist Second
In small churches and church plants, these two functions can’t wait. These are the “hats” most solo pastors need to wear. The apostle sets direction – they discern and cast the vision. The evangelist takes that vision and gets new people in the room. That’s how churches grow and in a small church, pastor, those are the two hats you have to wearl
Don’t Chase Balance, Chase Mission
Trying to balance all five roles will kill your momentum. Focus first on growth. Then build out the rest of the team as fast as possible.
Every Role Matters … Eventually
A church without shepherding bleeds out the back. A church without teaching creates smarter sinners. Long-term health requires all five lanes filled.
And … ?
Here’s the brutal truth: Most small church pastors feel guilty for not doing it all. But let me be crystal clear … you’re not supposed to. You were never called to play all five positions or to wear all five hats. You were called to lead the church into effective, faithful, sustainable ministry. That requires delegation, clarity, and guts.
In a new church plant or a congregation under 100, yes, you’ll need to serve as both the apostle and the evangelist. That means casting vision, rallying the congregation, and being the chief connector in the community. But your ultimate role isn’t to be all five functions. It’s to ensure they’re all functioning. That’s leadership. That’s multiplication. That’s how churches get healthy and stay growing.
Action!
Pastor, discover how to raise up the champions your church needs. Schedule your Get Growing Conversation with me and let’s talk about your next step to building a championship team.
