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Become the Leader You Were Called To Be
August 25, 2022
Greatness demands intentionality.
Ministry has always been challenging, but these past few years have been the hardest for many of us. Becoming the leader God called you to be will require more intentionality because of the significant challenges ahead of you and your teams. Here at Integrus we engage daily with top-level ministry leaders who are experiencing:
- Extreme fatigue
- Burn out
- Harsh criticism
- Polarizing divisions
- Lack of encouragement
We are trusted advisors and chief encouragers to some of the highest-caliber disciple-makers around the world. And we don’t take this honor lightly––serving ministry leaders, like you, is a privilege. When the pastor’s, non-profit leaders, and ministry executives we serve share with us their most significant needs we hear things like:
- Wise counsel for delicate decisions
- Problem-solving when you feel stuck
- Encouragement when you feel weary
- Guidance when the road feels lonely
- Celebration when God answers prayers

If you can relate to any of those needs, it might be time for an executive ministry coach. But what exactly is a ministry coach and how do you find one that’s right for you?
An executive ministry coach unlocks a person’s potential to maximize their performance. Executive Coaching creates awareness, generates action, and facilitates learning and growth. According to Stanford Business, “it focuses on improving performance by helping individuals to develop and sustain new perspectives, attitudes, skills, and behaviors.”
A good executive coach has walked a mile in your shoes and can lift your arms when you need extra support.
Here are 3 things to look for in an executive ministry coach:
- Hands-On Approach- You need a coach who doesn’t just follow a script or read from a handbook, you need someone to get in the trenches with you.
- Holistic Solutions- A pep talk will only take you so far. You need solutions beyond a conversation. Make sure you find a coach using data-driven, behavioral solutions that can be implemented throughout your organization.
- Heart-Felt Convictions- Find a coach who will focus on your unique leadership strengths and constraints while also maximizing your influence. You need a coach who will help you level up your leadership but with heart-felt convictions.
  
[Learn more about our leadership and executive coaching services by clicking here.]
"When I started, I questioned whether I could really be the leader my area of ministry needs, but I don't question that anymore. Executive ministry coaching has given me the tools and practical how to's to lead my team well!" - Erin M
 
Investing in Executive Leadership Development will level up your leadership, expand your capacity, and inspire your team to do great things.
Integrus’ leadership coaching programs support, equip, and encourage leaders, like you, with proven insights, hands-on training, and practical resources. Our mission is to release the global Church into its kingdom calling.
Our leadership coaching can be a catalytic turning point for entire teams and organizations to grow in health and impact by providing insanely practical tools and strategies.
Picture a healthy, vibrant, influential ministry. People are growing. Commitment levels rise. The community is changing. Staff members and volunteers show up excited, and their efforts are strategic, practical, and effective. Attendance improves, and small group activity multiplies. That's what we want for all our partners, organizations, and leaders.
Recommended Additional Articles:
- Click here: 6 Ways an Executive Coach Can Make You More Successful
- Click here: Stanford Graduate School of Business: What is Executive Coaching?
- Click here: What is an Executive Coach: The Simple Guide
- Click here: Harvard Business Review: Are You Ready to be Coached?
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My prayer life as a leader has had its ups and downs. There are times when: I've prayed timidly, which is surprising because I am not a timid person. I've prayed feeling unworthy, even though I know in my heart that I am worthy to approach the throne of grace with boldness. Sometimes I wonder, "Who am I to ask for this?" I've prayed burdened, feeling the weight of the world's troubles and wondering if my personal requests are even valid. As we kick off a new year and launch our 30 Days of Prayer, I'm curious what your prayer life is like. Are you praying timidly, unworthily, or burdened? Or, are you praying with power, expectancy, and delight? And the harder question: Are you praying for your leadership, at work, or even in the midst of your work? Lately, I've realized that the most powerful leaders in Scripture were devoted to prayer. Hannah, from 1 Samuel 1 is a prime example. Hannah knew: The anguish of infertility. The pain of a broken heart The shame that comes with a body that does not cooperate with your deepest hopes. The mistreatment of a family member. The impact weak spiritual leadership could have in her country. The isolation of suffering in a society driven by evil. The feelings of worthless in a culture that didn’t value her. The confusion of prayers seemingly going unanswered. And yet, Hannah knew how to bring all her struggles to God in prayer.
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Harry S. Truman Researchers have analyzed dozens of metrics, and time and time again, the results say the same thing: what separates the good leaders from the great leaders is their commitment to reading. If you want to improve your leadership skills, develop a healthy team, or foster a growth-oriented culture in your organization, start reading leadership books that will help lead yourself, lead a team, or lead an organization. Why Reading Makes Leaders Great Reading expands your viewpoint. In a way, reading books sits you down in front of the author, like a student before the teacher, as they tell you their story and impart their learned knowledge and wisdom. Reading sharpens your problem-solving skills. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, “experience is the best teacher,” but we disagree; someone else’s experience is the best teacher! When we learn from the wins and losses of those who have gone before us, exposing the problems they have already solved (or not), it helps us analyze information more effectively. Reading fuels creativity and innovation. Books connect us with people who we might otherwise never have the opportunity to learn from, injecting fresh concepts and ideas into stale and stagnant thought patterns. Reading also equips leaders to adapt to change and embrace new strategies because “learning” sits at the core of reading. Reading triggers something inside us that says, “I’m open to new ideas,” readying ourselves for change. Our Staff’s Top Picks The Integrus team has put together a list of our top picks. We’re committed to providing you with insanely practical tools and resources to assist you on your leadership journey, and this list will help you get started on your reading journey to becoming a great leader. We’ve divided the list into 3 categories. These books will help you: lead yourself, lead others, and lead your organization. These books would also make great gifts or stocking stuffers. So, if you’re not sure what to get the leaders in your life for Christmas, this list will give you some ideas. Each of the books on this list have helped our team grow into healthy leaders who make up an effective team, so I am confident they will help you, too. Click the link below to view the 2025 Reading List our website. We’ve creating a page with all of these books linked directly to an online store. Our hope is that this makes it even easier for you to dip your toe in the pool of knowledge that awaits you.
Just days ago, I crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon, and I’m still riding the high of that experience—medal and all! After eight years of running and five dedicated months of training for this race, I faced unexpected challenges, including a foot injury that nearly sidelined me. These obstacles gave me deeper insights into leadership, lessons I’m excited to share with you. Patience and Persistence Matter Leadership, much like marathon training, is not a sprint. It’s easy to look at leaders and assume that progress is quick and linear, but the reality is often far different. Progress can be slow, non-linear, and full of unexpected twists and turns. During my training, there were days when progress felt almost nonexistent. Yet, those were the moments that mattered most—when I had to push through fatigue, self-doubt, and setbacks. True leaders understand that lasting success comes from staying the course, even when the path forward is uncertain and demanding. Setbacks Are Part of the Journey In both marathons and leadership, setbacks are inevitable. For me, it was a foot injury that flared up weeks before race day. In leadership, it might be unforeseen complications, such as strained resources or processes that don’t go as planned. These challenges can feel discouraging, but great leaders learn to pivot, adapt, and find creative solutions. Setbacks build resilience, and this resilience becomes the fuel that propels you toward future triumphs. Each challenge I overcame during my training helped me build mental and physical endurance for race day—and the same is true for leadership. Celebrate the Small Wins Marathons are long, and reaching each mile marker brings its own sense of achievement. Passing the 5-mile mark, reaching the halfway point, and finally seeing the finish line were moments I celebrated, even if just with a mental cheer. The same principle applies to leadership: every milestone, no matter how small, deserves recognition. These moments of celebration keep your team motivated and energized. They remind everyone that progress is happening, and that acknowledgment helps sustain the team’s drive toward bigger goals. As a leader, it’s essential to create an environment where small wins are appreciated and celebrated. While I know some of you, like my friend Kat, may joke that you'd only run if someone were chasing you, the lessons I took from the NYC Marathon extend far beyond running. I hope these insights inspire you to lead with patience, embrace resilience during challenges, and find joy in celebrating progress—whether you’re striving to complete a major organizational project or pursuing personal growth. Leadership, like marathon training, is a journey that tests us in countless ways, but the lessons along the way make all the difference. Keep pushing forward, celebrate the journey, and know that each step takes you closer to your finish line.
