7 Mistakes You're Making with Christian Leadership in Uncertain Times (and How to Fix Them)

Dr. Layne McDonald

Leading a church or Christian organization through uncertain times isn't for the faint of heart. Whether you're navigating a global crisis, organizational change, or unexpected challenges, the pressure can feel overwhelming. But here's the thing, many well-intentioned Christian leaders make predictable mistakes that actually make things harder than they need to be.

I've seen these patterns play out repeatedly in my work with Christian leaders. The good news? These mistakes are fixable once you recognize them. Let's dive into the seven biggest leadership traps and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Playing the Planning Game Before Praying

The Problem: You make decisions first, then ask God to bless your plans afterward.

This is what I call "reactive praying." You strategize, implement, and then hope God will rubber-stamp your decisions. It's like building a house and then asking the architect to approve it.

The Fix: Flip the script. Before you make any major decisions during uncertain times, establish a pattern of seeking God's guidance first. This isn't about being super-spiritual, it's about being smart.

Prayer should inform your strategy, not validate it after the fact. Yes, this requires patience. Yes, you'll feel pressure to act quickly. But rushing into action without divine guidance often creates bigger problems than the ones you're trying to solve.

Mistake #2: Leading with Anxiety Instead of Faith

The Problem: You preach about faith on Sunday but panic when Monday's challenges hit.

Nothing undermines Christian leadership faster than visible anxiety. When you're stressed about the future, worried about finances, or freaking out about change, your people feel it. They watch how you handle uncertainty, and anxious leadership spreads like wildfire.

The Fix: Develop what I call a "non-anxious presence." This doesn't mean you can't acknowledge real challenges or express genuine concerns. It means your peace is anchored in something deeper than circumstances.

People need to see that your confidence isn't based on having all the answers: it's based on knowing the One who does. When you lead from faith instead of fear, you give others permission to do the same.

Mistake #3: Using a Magnifying Glass on Others, Never a Mirror on Yourself

The Problem: You scrutinize everyone else's faults while ignoring your own blind spots.

This is "mirrorless leadership," and it's deadly during uncertain times. When things get tough, it's tempting to blame resistant people, difficult board members, or "that generation that just doesn't get it." But leaders who refuse self-examination create more problems than they solve.

The Fix: Get brutally honest about your own leadership deficiencies. Ask trusted friends or mentors to point out your blind spots. Require accountability from yourself the same way you require it from others.

When you model vulnerability and growth, you create space for your entire organization to be honest about their struggles too. Authentic leadership builds trust; defensive leadership destroys it.

Mistake #4: Copy-Pasting Someone Else's Vision

The Problem: You try to implement another church's successful strategy without seeking God's unique direction for your context.

I get it. When you're struggling, it's tempting to look at a thriving church and think, "We need to do what they're doing." But borrowing someone else's vision is like wearing their prescription glasses: it might look good, but it won't help you see clearly.

The Fix: While learning from other churches is valuable, commit to seeking God's specific vision for your unique congregation. Every church has different gifts, challenges, demographics, and calling.

Spend time in prayer, listen to your people, and discern what God is specifically calling your church to do. Generic solutions create generic results. God-given vision creates transformation.

Mistake #5: Communicating Like Everyone Can Read Your Mind

The Problem: You fail to communicate clearly about changes, decisions, or your reasoning during uncertain seasons.

Poor communication during crisis creates confusion, breeds rumors, and generates unnecessary resistance. When people don't understand what's happening or why, they fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios.

The Fix: Over-communicate during times of uncertainty. Explain your decisions, acknowledge people's concerns, and respond thoughtfully to resistance instead of dismissing it.

Create multiple channels for feedback and actually listen to what people are saying. Transparency builds trust even when people initially disagree with your direction. Remember: most resistance comes from fear, not rebellion.

Mistake #6: Thinking Short-Term and Giving Up Too Easily

The Problem: You expect quick results and abandon efforts when change proves harder than expected.

Short-term thinking leads to short-term commitment. When disruption hits and progress seems slow, many leaders blame their congregation for being "resistant to change" and start looking for the exit.

The Fix: Commit to sustained leadership through difficult seasons. Meaningful change takes longer than you think and requires more energy than you expect. That's normal, not a sign of failure.

During uncertain times, your people need stable, committed leadership: not someone who's mentally checking out when things get tough. Long-term thinking allows you to weather storms that would sink short-term leaders.

Mistake #7: Leading People You Don't Actually Love

The Problem: You try to shepherd people you've never genuinely grown to care about.

This might sound harsh, but it's true: many leaders attempt to guide people through change without ever developing authentic affection for them. When you don't genuinely love your congregation, it's easy to "run over" people who seem like obstacles to your plans.

The Fix: Take time to know your people. Understand their concerns, their history, and their fears. Demonstrate that you have their best interests at heart, not just your vision's success.

When people know you love them, they're far more likely to follow you through uncertainty. Loveless leadership creates resistance; authentic shepherding creates trust.

The Bottom Line: Stability Trumps Innovation

Here's something most leadership books won't tell you: when times are normal, leaders inspire change. But when times are disruptive, leaders provide stability.

Your primary role during uncertain seasons isn't innovation: it's constancy. Be the steady presence that helps people navigate chaos. Maintain your personal spiritual disciplines, admit when you don't have all the answers, and repeatedly point your congregation toward God's faithfulness in previous seasons of uncertainty.

Moving Forward

Christian leadership in uncertain times requires wisdom, humility, and intentional spiritual grounding. The mistakes we've discussed aren't character flaws: they're human tendencies that become amplified under pressure.

The good news? Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward breaking them. You don't have to navigate these challenges alone, and you don't have to figure it all out by trial and error.

Ready to strengthen your leadership during uncertain times? I'd love to help you develop the skills and perspective you need to lead with confidence, even when the path ahead isn't clear.

Book a free 30-minute coaching consultation and let's talk about how you can become the steady, faith-filled leader your organization needs. No sales pitch: just practical guidance from someone who's been in your shoes.

Your people are counting on you to lead well. Let's make sure you're equipped for the challenge.