This was my first ACGC Leader’s Conference. Speaker Andy Addis shared honestly about starting in a struggling church and later leading a declining 60-person congregation in rural Kansas, which has since grown into a multisite mega church. I’d read his book before the conference and thought it was good, but I wasn’t expecting much more.
Pastor Andy’s teaching was engaging. While I’m not usually a fan of story-heavy preaching, his use of illustrations connected well with the leadership audience. Some might say he overdid it, but I found his stories effective in supporting his message. Below is a recap of his key points along with a few personal reflections.
Session 1: Ministry Forgiveness (Jonah 4)
Forgiveness, while freeing us from bitterness, should be rooted in Christ’s example, not just personal healing.
During our first session on Friday evening, we explored forgiveness in ministry through Jonah 4. Ministry brings both joy and deep hurt. As Andy put it, “If you work with broken people, you’ll touch jagged edges.” Church leaders are broken people shepherding broken people, which means we carry wounds — both those we’ve received and those we’ve caused. This session was personal for me as I reflected on my own hurts from ministry, not to play the victim but to lay them before the Lord.
Jonah struggled with God’s mercy toward the Ninevites because of the pain they caused his people. Holding on to hurt poisons us, like a snake bite. If we wait for the snake to return and apologize, we only grow weaker. Forgiveness, while freeing us from bitterness, should be rooted in Christ’s example, not just personal healing. This is more than a “Therapeutic Gospel” — Jesus didn’t die just to make us feel better, but as the atoning sacrifice for sin. Yet, following his example does bring freedom.
Forgiveness shifts our perspective. It’s not about our right to an apology but about reflecting Christ. We aren’t Jonah; we’re the Ninevites — once enemies of God, now forgiven. That truth hit me deeply. How others see Christ in me matters more than any hurt I carry. As I listened to Andy, I realized: ministry wounds are inevitable, but Christ’s grace is greater. I am not called to pray for fire from heaven but for redemption. Ministry will bring wounds, but Christ brings healing. So, we forgive.
Session 2: Ministry Rhythms (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 2:27-28)
In Session 2, we explored the biblical command and necessity of rest. Statistics show 38% of pastors have considered leaving ministry in the past year. Often, it’s not that the grass is greener elsewhere — they just need to nurture their own. The church tends to exalt the bride (the church) while sidelining the groom (Christ), and coupled with a relentless work ethic, it’s no wonder leaders face burnout. Workaholism isn’t holy; it falsely assumes everything depends on us. Many pastors wear busyness like a badge, but deep down, no one enjoys being overwhelmed. It’s time to reevaluate how we rest as ministry leaders.
Rest isn’t just about taking breaks or delegating — it’s about building intentional rhythms of rest into ministry life. Churches often struggle to fill gaps when pastors are away, but this isn’t just a pastor’s burden. The whole church must step up, serve and support their leaders. God modeled rest in Genesis 2:1–3, commanded it in Exodus 20:8–11 and declared it a gift in Mark 2:27–28. Neglecting rest isn’t just unhealthy; it reflects a lack of trust in God to handle the unfinished work.
Andy Addis encouraged us to start small when incorporating rest, with support from elders, deacons and church boards. We discussed four key practices:
- Annual Rest: 1–3 weeks for rest, study, hobbies and planning.
- Seven-Week Rest: A weekend off every seven weeks for refreshment.
- Weekly Rest: A true Sabbath to rest, pray and be present.
- Daily Rest: Guarding time each day for personal and family care.
While pastors serve the church, the church isn’t their master — Jesus is. That truth hit home for me. A church member once told me, “The church hires the pastor, so he works for us.” While pastors are accountable to their congregations, they aren’t just employees. The health of both pastors and churches depends on embracing rhythms of rest. Even starting with one practice, like a weekly Sabbath, can make a significant difference. My concern is that churches will dismiss this as unattainable, but we can’t afford to ignore it.
Session 3: The Joy-Filled Pastor (Philippians 1:12-18)
A joyful leader sees God at work in every circumstance. Both the good and the hard serve to advance the gospel.
In Session 3, we studied Philippians 1:12–18, focusing on the joy-filled pastor. Joy runs deeper than circumstances — it’s rooted in Christ and eternity, with the hope that one day all will be made right.
Andy Addis described ministry as “brutiful” — both brutal and beautiful. Quitting may seem like a quick fix, but it doesn’t bring lasting relief. True joy transforms our perspective, showing us that God is present even in hardship. Joy helps leaders press on when others might retreat. As someone who leans toward a more melancholy outlook (I often joke about being like Eeyore), I wrestled with this message. But it’s clear: quitting doesn’t heal what’s at the root of our struggles — it only changes the scenery. Real change requires dealing with the heart.
A joyful leader sees God at work in every circumstance. Both the good and the hard serve to advance the gospel. Waiting for perfect conditions to experience joy is futile — perfection won’t come this side of eternity. God is never surprised, and he can be trusted.
Joy-filled leaders overcome division and fear, prioritizing the gospel over comfort and personal preferences. Joy isn’t passive; it’s an active pursuit — turning to God, dying to self and following Jesus daily. Ministry isn’t a lazy river; it’s the “splash zone of faith.” As I’ve shared, fighting for joy is a discipline for me, especially when things don’t go as planned. But God is in control, even in difficulty. When joy feels distant, we can remember Christ, who endured the cross “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). There’s joy to be found in Christ and ministry, even when it’s hard to see.
Session 4: Why Do We Gather? (Hebrews 10:19-25)
In the final session, we explored Hebrews 10:19–25 and the purpose of gathering as a church. With the rise of online worship, it’s easy for church leaders to compare themselves to others, creating pressure to craft the “perfect” service. But how often do we prioritize what Scripture emphasizes in our gatherings — are we guided by pragmatism or God’s Word?
Scripture highlights three primary reasons for gathering:
- To Deepen Devotion (Hebrews 10:19–22): Through Jesus, we confidently approach God. The goal isn’t impressive preaching or music for their own sake, but to help people encounter Christ. Church leaders are called to lead people to him, not just to a church.
- To Strengthen Convictions (Hebrews 10:23): In times of cultural and political instability, God’s people need theological clarity. Relevance is fleeting, but God’s truth is unshakable. Clarity must outweigh cleverness.
- To Inspire Service (Hebrews 10:24–25): Convictions lead to action. We don’t gather to bask in worship but to “spur one another toward love and good works.” As Christ’s return draws near, we are called to live and serve with urgency.
A professor once shared that after visiting many churches on his sabbatical, he noticed how little Scripture was present in services beyond the sermon. This session reminded me that our gatherings should be rooted in Scripture, not tradition or trends.
Reflecting on the Leader’s Conference, I’m grateful that God’s church is his plan. While ministry must adapt to changing contexts, the church doesn’t need reinvention — it needs faithfulness to God’s design. I pray leaders will embrace regular rest, guide God’s people to worship, grow and serve and trust that the weight of the church is not on their shoulders — it’s in Christ’s hands. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
