Patience and Presence: Encouragement for Leaders in 2025

As we step into 2025, the dawn of a new year in our culture is an invitation to dream, plan, and set new goals. As a leader in the church and God's kingdom, I have found this cultural rhythm to be a good opportunity to prayerfully consider what God may desire to do in my life. Whether you embrace these things as a leader or really dislike the trend of new year's goal setting, a new year can still feel both exciting and daunting. 

In leadership and discipleship, it's always a challenge to discern where to invest your time, talents, and treasures. And it’s even more challenging to embrace God's unseen work in and through us. This year, God pressed upon me to lean into two themes in my leadership and family: patience and presence.

The Power of Patience

I tend to operate with a pretty high motor. I like to make decisions quickly, see things happen, and get things done. And I have always struggled with patience. I know it's fruit of the Spirit, and when I am genuinely patient, I can know it is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in me. And leading in the kingdom requires patience! As leaders, pressure to deliver results quickly can erode our ability to wait on God’s timing. And God has reminded me and disciplined me these last two years to WAIT. Patience is not passivity; it’s an active trust in God’s sovereignty. And as I start out serving ministries like the Equipping Group and others, as much as I want to be ready, go fast, crush projects, and make an impact, I need to embrace the unknowns and learn, be aware of my limits and other commitments, and be patient with others as I learn who they are, their stories, their gifts, and their struggles.

As I have walked alongside many leaders in God’s kingdom, I can say with confidence, patience is a real struggle for most. In your leadership this year, where might God be calling you to exercise patience? Is there a team member who needs more time to grow? A vision that requires more refinement? A ministry where you sense God’s invitation to wait on Him? Spirit-wrought patience will allow you to steward your responsibilities with faith rather than striving, and I convictionally believe will demonstrate the power of God!

The Gift of Presence

Alongside patience, I have often underestimated presence. My family immediately knows when I'm "somewhere else." Whether that's deep in my brain thinking about blog posts like this one or considering ways in which different churches and ministries could work together in the future, my body might be present, but my mind, heart, and soul are not attentive to the middle school basketball game. And when I’m not present, I miss out on the opportunity to share in the joys and sorrows of my family. Leadership frequently pulls us in multiple directions, but presence—being fully attentive to God, others, and the moment—is often where transformation begins.

Jesus modeled this beautifully. Though His mission was to redeem the world, He never rushed past people. Whether it was stopping to heal a woman who touched His garment or spending time with His disciples, Jesus demonstrated that presence is at the heart of kingdom work. And I want to look more like Him this year and less like the distracted dad or inattentive leader I can sometimes be.

For me, pursuing the virtue of presence begins with my relationship with God. Last year I slowed down a LOT in my devotional times, and this year, I wanted to follow the Book of Common Prayer readings. I'm already noticing that my desire to complete a task is warring against meditation on the Word and hearing from God. Even as I stretch myself with new devotional rhythms, I need to check myself to sit with the Lord, hear His voice, and ask Him to align my heart with His rather than just get the reading plan done.

For you, this year, how might you practice more intentional presence in your life and leadership? Perhaps it’s committing to lead your team like my friend Andy - they’re not doing any work this week so they can just pray and hear from God. Maybe it’s engaging more deeply in one-on-one conversations instead of your content project, or perhaps creating some new rhythms of reflection at the end of your day that help you see God's active work in your life more clearly!

Weakness and Strength

Just because we set goals or themes as a culture usually isn't enough to satisfy my super intense personality. I need a deep, rich foundation for anything in my life to stick. Also, I’ve never been one to do something just because everyone else does. I needed to answer the question “why am I pursuing patience and presence?” 

And it's because I genuinely believe God wants to conform me into the image of His Son, and I'm desperately weak in these areas. God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and I desperately want more of His power! When we acknowledge our limitations and invite God into our weakness, we can experience His strength in new ways. As you consider areas of potential breakthrough or transformation this year, addressing weaknesses is one pathway and the one I am using. 

But I also think finding change and transformation can come through exercising your strengths. Not everyone is in the midst of change, trial, or struggle. Some of you are primed and ready for God's Work and need some exhortation. And I think 1 Peter 4:10-11 might be what you need:

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

Sometimes, breakthroughs in ministry and mission come when we lean into the unique gifts God has given us. Are there areas where you see a gift in yourself? Use it!

Encouragement for the Transition

Finally, if you find yourself in a transition like I do, it often feels like stepping into the unknown, but it’s also fertile ground for faith to grow. I have reflected often on Abraham, who "went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). I feel crazy a lot of the time for starting something new at my age. Still, God calls us to trust Him in the uncertainty, believing He is faithful to complete the work He’s begun in us. And patience and presence are available to me by the power of the Spirit even in the midst of change.

As you enter 2025, I pray you will remember that leadership in God's kingdom is not about perfect execution or significant impact but faithful stewardship. God has uniquely equipped you, gifted you, and called you to this moment, and He promises to be with you! May that truth help you and me be patient in the process, present in the moment, and expectant for what He will bring. 

Here’s to a year of leading with faith, hope, and love!