Have you ever worked hard for something that took years to see pay off?
I spent a short season of my life lifting weights. I still work out, but back then, I set bench press and squat goals. And I hit the goals. It wasn’t easy. And it took some time. But I eventually got there.
If you work out, play a sport, or do anything where progress comes over time, you’ll appreciate my friend Louis.
Meet Louis
Louis was a high school football standout I met while pastoring at Woodstock City Church. He had the kind of drive and discipline that made everyone in the gym rethink their own goals.
A few years back, Louis started training for a bodybuilding competition. Yes, you read that right. For two full years, he lived in light of one date circled on the calendar.
He tracked every calorie, every rep, every hour of sleep. If I remember correctly, he bulked up for a year and a half, then spent six grueling months cutting down for the competition. I watched his progress unfold on Instagram—and then, finally, he stepped on stage and won his division.
It was impressive. But what struck me most wasn’t his physique. It was his patience and dedication.
And it reminded me of a critical leadership mistake too many of us make.
Change Takes Time
Most pastors I coach feel an invisible pressure to see immediate results. The culture’s changing, the congregation’s restless, and leaders feel the tension between tradition and innovation.
Diagnosing what’s not working is easy. Designing something new isn’t that hard either. But sticking with change long enough to evaluate it—that’s where most ministry models fall apart.
It’s like Louis’s training plan. He tweaked along the way, but he stayed committed to the same direction for a long time. He didn’t quit after a week because his muscles didn’t look different.
In church leadership, though, that’s what often happens.
We either:
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Know change is needed, but do nothing—frozen by fear of failure or resistance.
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Make a change too quickly and abandon it when results don’t come fast enough.
The first group eventually stalls, and the church dies. The second lives in chaos. Neither creates healthy growth.
Give Change Time to Take Root
No new ministry model can be evaluated in a few weeks. Growth takes time to sprout.
It’s like repotting a plant. At first, it looks worse. The roots are shocked. The leaves droop. But give it time, nutrients, and steady care, and it begins to thrive again.
That’s how healthy change works in your church.
If you want your ministry model to bear fruit, here’s what to do:
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Diagnose the reality. Be brutally honest about what’s working and what’s not. Use metrics, not moods.
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Design with intention. Build a model or pathway that meets people where they are and moves them forward one step at a time.
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Stick with it. Commit to the process long enough to truly evaluate results. Track what matters, tweak only when necessary, and let time tell the truth.
This isn’t complicated—but it is countercultural. When the pressure rises, patience feels irresponsible. But rushing kills clarity. And impatience never produces fruit.
One Last Rep
Does your ministry model need to evolve? Almost certainly, yes.
But more importantly, do you need more stick-to-itiveness in your approach?
Diagnose your current reality. Design a better way forward. And then—stick with it long enough to know what’s actually working. That’s how you maximize the mission and lead with more intention.
Quotes to Share
- “Rushing kills clarity. And impatience never produces fruit.”
- “Diagnose the reality, design with intention, and stick with it long enough to see what works.”
- “Healthy change takes time to take root. Leaders who quit early never see the harvest.”
Helping You Add More Intention To Your Mission,
Dr. Gavin Adams
