There Are No Small Leaders, Only Leaders

Kent Murawski

There are no small leaders in God’s kingdom, only leaders.

Though I know my worth is not found in the number of people that attend Journey Church on a Sunday morning but rather in my being a child of God, I still struggle at times with this dichotomy. I’m not down on megachurches, in fact I have been very blessed by them, but in our Western, rock star pastor, megachurch culture it’s hard not to struggle with this as a pastor.

There are no small leaders in God’s kingdom, only leaders.
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Small Churches Are Changing the World

I was ignorant of this fact until recently. According to Karl Vaters who has a blog called New Small Church , “There are more than 2.2 billion Christians in the world. Almost 1/3 of the world’s population. 100-150 million attend megachurches. That is something to thank God for. But over half the Christians on earth are involved in churches with less than 250 people in them. Which, when you do some basic math, leads to this astonishing conclusion,”

More than one billion people choose to worship God in Small Churches.” [i]

America worships celebrities and the American church culture isn’t much different. I remember being at a church planting training once where I overheard two of the presenters talking during a break. They were both young successful pastors whose churches were growing very rapidly (which is why they were presenting I presume). Anyway, as they were sharing what was happening in their churches, they expressed a desire to go visit one another to share best practices. I thought that was great, until they got to the next part. They proceeded to tell how most of their friends were from much smaller churches that weren’t growing as quickly and how important it was to learn from peers that were in a similar place. Again, I agree fully, but then came the punch line. “It’s great to have friends from smaller churches though” one of them remarked. “It keeps you humble.” I wanted to slap him. Not because I’m the pastor of a small church, but because of the arrogance of such a statement. It sounded more like pride than humility. I thought, Is that the reason you want to be friends with pastors from small churches? So you can gloat over your own growth and have a constant reminder that it could be much worse?

Maybe I took it personally, but it was kind of hard not to.

Comparison Junkies

Whether or not you are a pastor, you probably find yourself falling into the comparison trap.

  • Look at the picture of her perfect family or perfect home on Instagram?
  • I wish I had a house like that, or a car like that, or a whatever like that
  • Why can’t I be as successful as him?
  • Look how well behaved their kids are (while yours scream and cry)

I often fall into the trap of comparing myself and our church to other leaders and other churches, or compare my platform to someone else’s (my good friend, Joshua Finley, recently wrote a great article about understanding the platform God has given you. ) In fact, I have to admit that even while I’m writing this post, I’m secretly hoping it will go viral. Just being real. I have a confession to make. I’m a comparison junkie. In the end, it leaves me feeling the same as a real junkie; it feels good for the moment but then I crash until the next fix.

Comparison leaves you feeling like a junkie; it feels good for a moment…until you crash.
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In my mind I go there all the time with an axe to grind about why my church is not as big as another, or why we aren’t growing as fast (or sometimes at all), or I find excuses and reasons why my situation is different from theirs, but I think the Bible is pretty clear on this one:

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5  For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT)

Finding Contentment

If your church (or whatever you are leading) stayed the same size it is right now at this moment, would you do it for the rest of your life? That’s the question the Lord posed to me not long ago.

Maybe I’m the only sinner that also happens to be a pastor but my initial answer was “no.” The Lord went on and said to me,

Then you should quit now because if you are not willing to do that then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Ouch!

Whether the church He has called you to lead is 25, 50, 500 or 5000, the flock of 25 is just as important to the Lord as the flock of 5000. He wants both flocks well cared for, well fed and well led.

God wants his flock well cared for, well fed and well led – regardless of the size.
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So why is it that we place such importance on numbers? How is it that numbers have come to be the mark by which we measure success? Now I agree, God is interested in people finding Him, but I’ve heard all the slogans for growth and while I agree with many of them on the surface, they sometimes come across as disingenuous,

  • Numbers matter because people count
  • We count because people matter
  • If something is healthy it will grow
  • God is not just concerned with faithfulness but fruitfulness
  • God cares about numbers, after all, there is a whole book in the Bible named “Numbers”
  • Numbers represent souls…and souls matter to God

(For those of you that think rapid growth is glorious, here’s an article that may change your perspective.)

It’s easy for big churches to justify why they think numbers are important, but it’s just as easy for small churches to discount why numbers are important. But whether or not numbers matter to God is not what this blog is about. What’s more important are your  motivations. If you want to have a big church, why? If you think churches should stay small, why? In the end, I’m not debating whether or not numbers are important; I’m simply saying we shouldn’t let numbers determine our significance.

Leaders, don’t let numbers or stuff determine your significance
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How Do You Measure Success?

Think of how Western church culture reinforces the idea that numbers equal success. If not, then why are there virtually no leaders of small churches that speak at church conferences? Why are there very few pastors of small churches that are highlighted in magazines or that are guests on leadership podcasts? Are there no pastors of small churches who can speak just as well or whose ministries have abundant fruit? Is it due to the assumption that if you lead a small church then you are not a very good leader? After all, there must be some reason you are small, right? We equate success with buildings, big budgets and butts in seats.

Can we just be honest? Many of us worship church growth.
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I think the question we need to be asking ourselves is how should we measure success?    Karl Vaters wrote a fantastic article on feeding the flock VS. numbers.  

Rethinking Success

We are not going to be judged on how many people come to our church, we are going to be judged on two things – knowing God and doing His will. Here are some definitions for success that I really appreciate,

  • Success means having those closest to me love and respect me the most (John Maxwell) [ii]
  • Success is knowing God and doing His will (me).
  • Success is doing the best you can with what you have where you are (Mark Batterson) [iii]

Success can be different for different areas of life but its important to find out what success means to God and to you. Overall, I define success by my life mission statement,

I exist to bring God glory in all I do, love my family and live for the good of others as I experience His transforming love.

I’ve always found this portion of the “Citizen In A Republic” speech by Teddy Roosevelt to be quite inspiriting. This is another definition of success for me. It’s called, Man in the Arena,

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,  and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. [iv]

What’s your definition of success? How have you dealt with the comparison game? 

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3 Ways to Master Summer Without Burning Out

By Kent Murawski • July 28, 2025
When was the last time you ended a summer feeling more energized than when it started? ​​Summer brings changes for many of us—minimizing our motivation to work, disrupting work routines, and altering schedules. With summertime often comes a desire to slow down, and yet, we're not always sure how to do that. This week is my last new post for a little while (though I may resend some popular posts from the 2024-2025 season). I’m pressing pause to create space and pour my energy into finishing my new book. But stay tuned—when I’m back in six weeks, the newsletter will be refreshed with some exciting updates you won’t want to miss! Read to the end to find out more. In this week's edition of Catalyst, I want to share 3 ideas to help you effectively navigate summer. 3 Ways to Master Summer Without Burning Out 1) Stop and Think (Reflect) Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For Socrates, life was more than pursuing the things that most men occupy themselves with, things like wealth, household affairs, status and position, and political clubs and factions. He believed that life only has value and meaning when we question what we think and know, and by more deeply understanding ourselves and others. The beginning of summer is an ideal time for reflection, and we all tend to occupy ourselves with the things Socrates talked about more than we probably care to admit. Taking a reflection day at the end of each quarter (consider removing "or trimester" for conciseness) can be an effective way to navigate seasonal changes. Finding a place far enough removed from your normal day-to-day life will help you get into a different headspace. A friend of mine often says: Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. I've used hotels, monasteries, or even a beautiful outdoor location if the weather permits. Here are a few questions you might want to ask: How am I feeling spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically? How are my closest relationships doing? Am I living out my core values? Is my life moving in a direction I feel good about? What do I need to change or adjust? Here are a few ideas for how to conduct a reflection day: Prayer, meditation, or silence Review your biggest wins and assess your goals from the previous quarter Work on high-impact projects that require focus Preview the upcoming quarter and set your Big 3 goals: personal, marriage/family, work/business 2) Cut the Non-Essentials (Reevaluate) Both my wife and I work, so when summer arrives, we need to re-evaluate our schedules to accommodate our twelve-year-old son. In the past, I've made the mistake of trying to keep the same workload despite being home with him two days a week. I ended up frustrated all summer long, living in the tension of wanting to spend more time with him while trying to carry the same workload. Summer requires me to pare down my work roles to the essentials: Writing (currently working on a new book) Executive coaching (6-8 coaching clients) Relationship building and outreach Necessary administration (keeping this to 30% or less of my responsibilities) Moving forward, I will probably keep things this way. It feels more sustainable than the unrealistic expectations I previously held myself to. Once you define your key roles and responsibilities, the question becomes how to achieve better work-life integration not work-life balance. I use the Big 3 System. Choose only three big things to focus on at one time—quarterly, weekly, and daily. That's right, just three. Those three things are usually a combination of personal, marriage/family, and work. Each quarter, I typically choose 1 personal goal, 1 marriage and family goal, and 1-3 work goals, depending on the quarter. Here are a few questions to consider. If you have a partner, discuss them together: How does your schedule change in the summer? What work-related responsibilities and expectations do you need to adjust? What are 3 things you want to do this summer? What do you NOT want to do? 3) Choose What Matters Most (Rest) Paring down expectations isn't only for work, it applies to rest, too. Because it's summer, there is the temptation to want to fit in everything (—vacation, visit family, trips, fun, etc). In the past, we would try to do so much that by the time fall rolled around, we were exhausted. Last year, out of necessity, we planned a staycation instead of going away. It was one of the best vacations we've had in a long time. And besides, summers in New England are gorgeous! We went to see a movie, ate out, went to Six Flags, had a beach day, and took days in between just to relax. We loved it so much, we're doing a staycation again this year! Write down your list of summer expectations and plans. Now, cross out everything that feels exhausting and unfun. Don't try to fit everything in this summer. Pick a couple of things that feel life-giving and focus on those. Your Move Reflect. Re-evaluate. Rest. Choose one of the three and work on it in the next 24 hours. Plan a day of reflection. Have a conversation with your spouse. Choose how you're going to rest this summer. I don't care which one it is, just take action. Here’s one question to consider: What would you stop doing this summer if no one was watching? Most people think summer is about maximizing experiences and fitting everything in, but the truth is that the most productive leaders use summer to strategically subtract, not add. They understand that rest isn't what you do after the work is done—it's what makes the work sustainable in the first place. You've got this.

Why you're exhausted before fall even arrives...

By Kent Murawski • July 23, 2025
When was the last time you ended a summer feeling more energized than when it started? ​​Summer brings changes for many of us—minimizing our motivation to work, disrupting work routines, and altering schedules. With summertime often comes a desire to slow down, and yet, we're not always sure how to do that. This week is my last new post for a little while (though I may resend some popular posts from the 2024-2025 season). I’m pressing pause to create space and pour my energy into finishing my new book. But stay tuned—when I’m back in six weeks, the newsletter will be refreshed with some exciting updates you won’t want to miss! Read to the end to find out more. In this week's edition of Catalyst, I want to share 3 ideas to help you effectively navigate summer. 3 Ways to Master Summer Without Burning Out 1) Stop and Think (Reflect) Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For Socrates, life was more than pursuing the things that most men occupy themselves with, things like wealth, household affairs, status and position, and political clubs and factions. He believed that life only has value and meaning when we question what we think and know, and by more deeply understanding ourselves and others. The beginning of summer is an ideal time for reflection, and we all tend to occupy ourselves with the things Socrates talked about more than we probably care to admit. Taking a reflection day at the end of each quarter (consider removing "or trimester" for conciseness) can be an effective way to navigate seasonal changes. Finding a place far enough removed from your normal day-to-day life will help you get into a different headspace. A friend of mine often says: Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. I've used hotels, monasteries, or even a beautiful outdoor location if the weather permits. Here are a few questions you might want to ask: How am I feeling spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically? How are my closest relationships doing? Am I living out my core values? Is my life moving in a direction I feel good about? What do I need to change or adjust? Here are a few ideas for how to conduct a reflection day: Prayer, meditation, or silence Review your biggest wins and assess your goals from the previous quarter Work on high-impact projects that require focus Preview the upcoming quarter and set your Big 3 goals: personal, marriage/family, work/business 2) Cut the Non-Essentials (Reevaluate) Both my wife and I work, so when summer arrives, we need to re-evaluate our schedules to accommodate our twelve-year-old son. In the past, I've made the mistake of trying to keep the same workload despite being home with him two days a week. I ended up frustrated all summer long, living in the tension of wanting to spend more time with him while trying to carry the same workload. Summer requires me to pare down my work roles to the essentials: Writing (currently working on a new book) Executive coaching (6-8 coaching clients) Relationship building and outreach Necessary administration (keeping this to 30% or less of my responsibilities) Moving forward, I will probably keep things this way. It feels more sustainable than the unrealistic expectations I previously held myself to. Once you define your key roles and responsibilities, the question becomes how to achieve better work-life integration not work-life balance. I use the Big 3 System. Choose only three big things to focus on at one time—quarterly, weekly, and daily. That's right, just three. Those three things are usually a combination of personal, marriage/family, and work. Each quarter, I typically choose 1 personal goal, 1 marriage and family goal, and 1-3 work goals, depending on the quarter. Here are a few questions to consider. If you have a partner, discuss them together: How does your schedule change in the summer? What work-related responsibilities and expectations do you need to adjust? What are 3 things you want to do this summer? What do you NOT want to do? 3) Choose What Matters Most (Rest) Paring down expectations isn't only for work, it applies to rest, too. Because it's summer, there is the temptation to want to fit in everything (—vacation, visit family, trips, fun, etc). In the past, we would try to do so much that by the time fall rolled around, we were exhausted. Last year, out of necessity, we planned a staycation instead of going away. It was one of the best vacations we've had in a long time. And besides, summers in New England are gorgeous! We went to see a movie, ate out, went to Six Flags, had a beach day, and took days in between just to relax. We loved it so much, we're doing a staycation again this year! Write down your list of summer expectations and plans. Now, cross out everything that feels exhausting and unfun. Don't try to fit everything in this summer. Pick a couple of things that feel life-giving and focus on those. Your Move Reflect. Re-evaluate. Rest. Choose one of the three and work on it in the next 24 hours. Plan a day of reflection. Have a conversation with your spouse. Choose how you're going to rest this summer. I don't care which one it is, just take action. Here’s one question to consider: What would you stop doing this summer if no one was watching? Most people think summer is about maximizing experiences and fitting everything in, but the truth is that the most productive leaders use summer to strategically subtract, not add. They understand that rest isn't what you do after the work is done—it's what makes the work sustainable in the first place. You've got this.

Crisis Creates Clarity

By Kent Murawski • May 26, 2025
“Should I end this?” were the last words I said before collapsing to the ground in excruciating pain. The only thing I ended that day was my basketball career ⛹️! On Sunday, May 18, 2025, I ruptured my patella tendon playing basketball with my boys. We were playing a game of P.I.G., and it was […]

‘When You Hurry, You No Longer Care’: A Wake-Up Call from the Monastery

By Kent Murawski • May 16, 2025
“You’re not going to become a monk, are you?”  My wife asked me this after I excitedly returned from a week-long retreat to a Trappist monastery and my growing fascination with monastic rhythms.  The obvious answer is no, since I’m neither single nor celibate It began the previous week when my twelve-year-old son and I […]

The View from 50

By Kent Murawski • May 7, 2025
I always thought the big decisions were what shaped my life trajectory, but my 50th birthday celebration revealed something way more interesting—it’s actually the tiny, everyday choices that determine where you ultimately end up. It was the most meaningful birthday I’ve ever had.  Fair warning, this is a long one, but it will be worth […]

The Productive Power of Strategic Pauses

By Kent Murawski • March 19, 2025
Your capacity to recognize when to pause may be more valuable than knowing when to push. Lately, I haven’t had anything to write, which is a rare occurrence. Sure, I could try to pound something out or pull some unused content out of the archives (which I have tons of), but here’s what I’ve discovered: […]

How Are You? (The Success Predictor)

By Kent Murawski • March 6, 2025
How are you? Your answer to this question reveals more about your future success and well-being than any strategic plan. We often wear busyness as a badge of honor. Ask ten people how they are doing, and nine out of ten times the answer will be, “busy.” That’s not the way things ought to be. […]

The Hidden Cost of Being Too Hard On Yourself

By Kent Murawski • January 30, 2025
The weight of unrealistic self-expectations can feel crushing, especially at the start of a new year. January is not even over, and I’m already feeling overwhelmed.  It’s often said that we can be our own worst bosses or that the most challenging person to lead is the person in the mirror.  What do you do […]

The Missed Opportunity in Failed Dreams

By Kent Murawski • January 16, 2025
Failed dreams can become your greatest victories. While dreams are essential for hope and growth, unfulfilled dreams can breed disillusionment. Yet what appears to be a “failed” dream often reveals itself as an opportunity. Barbara Corcoran, the renowned Shark Tank Investor, once said, “All my best successes came on the heels of failure.” This wisdom […]

Less Is More (Why Resolutions Don’t Work)

By Kent Murawski • January 4, 2025
Did you know that 92% of people give up on their goals by January 12th? Pretty shocking, right? I used to be part of that statistic. Every year, I’d write down my goals with excitement, only to find them collecting dust by February. It was frustrating and, honestly, a bit embarrassing. But then I discovered […]