Over the last three decades of working with ministries, I’ve had many conversations that have left me thinking deeply about the intersection of stewardship, responsibility and leadership. A specific interaction has left a lasting impression on me.
I once approached a client with a proposal to address several challenges their ministry was facing. They were grappling with inefficiencies, rising costs and a growing awareness that they were missing the mark in their marketing and communications. After carefully analyzing their situation, I presented a proposal that would address these issues head-on. The solutions would save significant money, increase efficiency and significantly enhance their engagement with stakeholders — all vital steps toward their ministry’s long-term sustainability and growth.
When my primary contact reviewed the proposal, he acknowledged its tremendous value and potential impact. But then he shared something that stopped me in my tracks: While the solutions were excellent, the decision-makers would likely reject them. Why? Because implementing these changes would make several current roles unnecessary — including those of some of the decision makers.
And there it was — a moment that crystallized one of the most challenging aspects of ministry leadership.
The Cost of Stewardship
That conversation forced me to confront a question that I believe every ministry leader must wrestle with: Is this okay?
I ask this not as someone standing in judgment, but as someone who has witnessed firsthand the weight of these decisions. I know the sleepless nights that come with hard choices — it’s not easy. But consider this: If your donors knew their contributions were being used to maintain inefficiencies — or to protect positions that are no longer needed — would they feel their gifts were being stewarded well?
As Christians, I believe we're called to a higher standard of integrity and stewardship. When we let fear of change or personal comfort guide our decisions, we have to ask ourselves: Whose mission are we truly prioritizing — the mission God has entrusted to us, or a different mission centered on maintaining the status quo?
I raise these questions with deep empathy for the human impact of such decisions. Nobody in ministry leadership wants to see people lose their jobs — these are our colleagues, our friends, people who have invested their lives in the mission. Yet, if we resist necessary change, we risk decaying and compromising the resources entrusted to us by those who believe in the mission.
Three Questions to Consider
As you think about your ministry's future and the role that wise, faithful stewardship plays in your decision making, I invite you to wrestle through these foundational questions:
- Are we stewarding our resources in a way that truly honors both God and our donors?
- Are we willing to embrace necessary change when it aligns with our mission, even when it's difficult?
- How might partnership help us navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace?
That conversation from years ago has stayed with me because I've seen the other side of the story too. I've witnessed ministry leaders who chose to make difficult changes, who prioritized excellence even when it wasn't easy. Without exception, their ministries emerged stronger, their impact deeper, their stewardship more faithful.
---
At Radiant, we believe deeply in partnership. Instead of forcing ministries into an all-or-nothing choice — either maintain everything in-house or outsource it all — our Radiant ONE model integrates with your existing team to fill gaps with expertise, perspective and flexibility. If you’d like to explore how Radiant ONE can help your ministry be more effective, let's start the conversation.
