10 Lessons for New Leaders
Over ten years, this advice helped me navigate the service of the church.
While being a pastor is a tremendous privilege, there is a jarring reality that most of us discover the moment we step into leadership. As I reflect on the advice my professors and commencement speakers offered me a decade ago, I’d like to share a few observations and words of encouragement for those now entering the service of the church.
1. God first, Family Second, Church Work Third
Most ministers enter the field eager to serve and fulfill the call God has placed on their lives. Yet, as with many service‑oriented professions, pastors often become so focused on church work that they neglect their own spiritual needs and the needs of their families. I know I did when I served in a rural district in Georgia. I often arrived home at 10 or 11 p.m. after a late board meeting or a hospital visit. Like many social‑service workers, we are trained to say yes, and sometimes we confuse constant activity with God’s calling.
But the same God who calls us to serve also prioritizes shared work. This is why, through Jethro, He counseled Moses to delegate, care for himself, and tend to his own household before addressing the needs of Israel. That biblical principle remains foundational for modern ministry. Strengthening our spiritual connection with God and ministering to our families will offer a far greater testimony to our congregations than any late‑night meeting ever could.
2. Learn the Guidelines of Your Field.
New ministers will often receive a large document before entering their first district, called the Conference Working Policy. Like any professional workplace, the local conference has rules and guidelines that shape how ministry functions in its context. From conflict‑resolution procedures to expectations about where you should live in relation to your churches, this document is often dismissed as legalese. But skipping it is as easy as, and more risky than, clicking “I agree” on a website without reading the terms. I’ve learned this the hard way.
Taking time to understand the policy and familiarize yourself with its processes will equip you to be a more effective minister and a stronger advocate for your local church. And am I the only one who knows these documents often contain hidden gems: mechanisms for requesting professional development funds, annual family retreats at the conference camp, or even support for capital improvement projects? Take the time to read them. Ask questions. Understand your rights and responsibilities before you’re in the fire.
3. Your Limitations Are Your Superpower.
One of the easiest traps for new ministers is slipping into self-sufficiency and believing they have to know everything. I used to think, “I must handle everything alone, or people will assume I am not good enough.” I eventually learned that saying, “I do not know, but I will find out,” or “Let us connect you with someone who specializes in this,” is not a weakness. It is wisdom.
Through the writings of the apostle Paul, God reminds us that we are members of a body, not the entire body ourselves. Referring a family to a counselor, admitting you need help with a budget, or simply saying “no” to an extra project when your plate is full is an act of leadership. Your calling is not to be the hero. Your calling is to be a wise steward of your time, energy, and gifts.
4. Visit the People—Always.
I asked Mark Finley this at my Southern Adventist University theology graduation program: “What is the number one priority for a new pastor?” His answer was simple: “Visit the people. The closer you are to them, the better your ministry will fare.” I have seen this proven again and again. When you take the time to eat with your members and listen to them in their homes or at the local restaurant, you build a connection that gives you the influence you will need later to move the work of God forward in the place He has assigned you.
Many pastors assume that office hours are enough, but I have learned that the more ministry happens in someone’s living room, at a backyard patio birthday party, or even in their driveway, the easier it becomes to unify the church and preach messages that truly resonate. Suddenly, the sermon is not disconnected from reality but shaped by firsthand knowledge of the congregation’s needs.
5. Figure Your Finances Out.
Yes, it is true that NAD employees do not earn six-figure salaries. But you do not need six figures to live well. Over my years in ministry, I have seen pastors drown in debt because they ignored budgeting, or chase “more money” while neglecting their real calling. I encourage you to start small: track every dollar, build an emergency fund, and learn how compound interest works. While you and I did not enter ministry for the money, we can still build a life that supports our families, our future, and our ability to serve long-term.
Many pastors neglect this area because it feels too complex or because it is easier to trust the church’s 401K than to learn the knowledge needed to steward their own future. Convenience is nice, but being able to retire at a reasonable age is nice too. Also, avoid lifestyle creep. I bought a brand new car when I graduated from seminary because I thought it was necessary. Yes, having a car is part of the work, but it does not have to be a 2026 Ford F-150. A used Toyota Corolla will meet the need in most places.
6. Be a Voracious Reader.
The Bible is our foundation. It is our rule of faith and the most important book in our arsenal. At the same time, our context and realities change every day. The world is becoming increasingly complex, and many of us struggle to make sense of it. One of the best ways to stay grounded is to embrace the literature available in your local library or small bookshop. Learning from others and staying informed about cultural, political, and economic issues will make you a more effective minister. When people bring their questions and needs, Scripture offers wisdom, but if that wisdom is disconnected from practical understanding, it can fall flat instead of bearing fruit.
Read outside your comfort zone: leadership, psychology, history, and even fiction. The more you learn from the insights of others, the more clearly you will see God’s truth in new ways. You do not need to know everything. You only need to remain willing to learn.
7. Master Time Management (Or It Will Master You).
This is in the seventh spot because God created seven days to give us rhythm. He declared six of them for work and one for rest. In a very real sense, He is the master of time management. That is why this principle is one of the most important ways to avoid burnout. When I first started in ministry, I often said, “I will just do it later.” Then “later” became “never.” Your schedule is your most sacred resource.
Block time for family, for study, and for rest before you fill it with meetings. Use tools, even something as simple as a notebook, to create space and set deadlines for the work God has placed in front of you. It can be difficult to shift from a deadline-driven environment like university to a setting where there are no hard stops. That is why you should start now. The earlier you take ownership of your time and calendar, the more freedom you will have to serve well.
8. Stand Up for What’s Right (Even When It’s Hard).
This area takes time. Finding moral clarity in the middle of the daily outrage that comes your way is extremely difficult. Church politics are real. The social issues that affect your local congregation are real. The tension between the conference and the local church is often palpable. I once stayed silent when a colleague was unfairly sidelined, and regret is a heavy burden to carry.
Learn to navigate these dynamics by seeking mentors who have walked this path before you. Ask questions like, “How would you handle this?” “What is one way to find agreement between parties that are at odds?” and “How can I speak truth without being sidelined as an agitator or coming across as too critical?” These kinds of questions will help you advocate for those who need it while also gaining support rather than creating unnecessary enemies.
9. Build a Social Life (Yes, Really).
Pastoral work can be isolating. When I moved to rural Georgia, I buried myself in digital entertainment because I was too tired or too busy with church responsibilities. I almost became a hermit, telling myself, “I am too busy for fun.” Then I joined a board game group outside the church. I also joined a local soccer club so I could socialize with people who probably would not show up to church on their own. Some of them became my friends, and eventually a few even became church members.
Having friends is a lifeline. It is a reminder that you are human. These social connections keep you grounded when church drama becomes heavy. Therefore, make time for laughter, sports, hikes, book clubs, or anything that brings joy. Not because you are permitted to do so, but because you genuinely need it.
10. Be a Community-Driven Pastor
You were not placed in your community to build or enable a church bubble. Many of us, when we first begin, want to do Adventist safe ministry, such as decades old Revelation and Daniel evangelistic series, Diabetes Undone seminars, or passing out literature that most people will never read. All of these have their place in the evangelistic cycle. Consider this a reminder to you that you were not called to placate the flock. You were called to bring the good news to the community around you in the context where God has placed you.
Step out. Volunteer at the food bank so you can learn what the real needs are. Attend a local community festival so you can understand the culture of the town. Talk to the neighbor you have never met so you can gain insight into why he does not attend church. The bubble feels safe until it pops. The community you were placed in is where God’s light shines brightest. When you become part of the neighborhood and not only the church, your ministry becomes steady, rooted, and far more effective.
The Truth That Sticks With Me
After ten years, these lessons have helped me navigate the church and the many responsibilities I have carried. It has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it. I hope you find both satisfaction and success in the calling that God has given you.
Jose Briones has served as a pastor, youth pastor, and stewardship director over the last ten years.