214. Leading in the Messy Middle: A Real Ministry Story
How do you lead well in church ministry when you care deeply about people but aren’t the final decision maker?
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe sits down for one of her monthly coaching conversations with Lacey Reaves, a ministry leader serving in small groups at Redemption Church in South Carolina.
Together they explore a leadership challenge many ministry leaders face: how to faithfully care for people while navigating leadership structures, shifting ministry needs, and the realities of leading from what Laura calls the messy middle of ministry.
Lacey shares openly about her experience of burnout and what she learned about carrying ministry differently. Laura reflects on how sustainable care ministry requires leaders to care deeply for people while also recognizing the burdens they were never meant to carry alone.
If you’ve ever felt the tension of trying to lead, care for people, and navigate church leadership dynamics at the same time, this coaching conversation offers encouragement and practical perspective for sustaining ministry over the long term.
Quotes
“I knew that I still cared about people, but I felt that I had lost the capacity to care effectively because I myself needed care.” –Lacey Reaves
“I found that I am still called, but I may need to learn how to carry the calling differently.” –Lacey Reaves
“Ministry rarely happens in clean and simple ways. Most of the time we’re leading in complicated spaces with changing needs, limited resources, and leadership structures.” –Laura Howe
“There’s a wisdom that develops when we stay deeply compassionate toward people while recognizing that we are not their savior.” –Laura Howe
Resources
- Joyfully Free Journey Podcast (Lacey Reaves)
- Care Ministry Collective (Free Online Community)
- Care Ministry Cohort
- HMS Amazon store 🇨🇦Link, 🇺🇸Link
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