At En-Joy Ministries, we are committed to seeing churches thrive as vibrant communities of faith, grounded in the truth of Scripture. As a pastor, I have witnessed the challenges many congregations face: declining discipleship, ineffective outreach, and a longing for genuine revival. Too often, these struggles trace back to a departure from God’s design for leadership—elders as humble shepherds, not corporate executives. Drawing from the wisdom of Scripture, let us explore the leadership pitfalls hindering our churches and return to the biblical model that ignites true spiritual growth.

The Silent Killer: Leadership Drift and Its Ripple Effects

Many churches today experience a troubling disconnect: Sunday services may draw a crowd, but midweek engagement is sparse, with little transformation in lives. Having witnessed such seasons, I can attest to the toll it takes. The root issue is a shift away from God’s design for leadership. Instead of elders qualified by godliness and wisdom (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7), many churches rely on business-minded boards or solo pastors acting as CEOs. This corporate model prioritizes efficiency over spiritual vitality, leaving the flock spiritually malnourished.

This drift undermines discipleship. Without elders to model and mentor, believers lack the guidance to grow and multiply (Ephesians 4:11-12). The result is a church marked by superficial faith—attendees who participate but rarely dive into the depths of commitment. Programs like Sunday school, which could foster growth, are often sidelined for less substantive gatherings. Additionally, the absence of elder-led training leaves men unequipped to lead their families or communities. Scripture calls elders to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), but without them, the church lacks direction. Hebrews 13:17 underscores this: leaders “keep watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” When this oversight is absent, the body drifts aimlessly.

Evangelism on Life Support: When Oversight Fails the Mission

Effective evangelism is the heartbeat of a church’s mission, but many congregations struggle to share the Gospel meaningfully. This often stems from leadership misalignment. Consider an outreach team led by someone lacking relational warmth or spiritual maturity. Such a leader may struggle to connect authentically, stifling the team’s effectiveness. Evangelism requires leaders who are relatable, mature, and conversational—qualities rooted in the biblical elder model.

Scripture is clear: Jesus empowered ordinary believers to be bold witnesses through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Elders, tasked with settling disputes (Acts 15:1-2), praying for the sick (James 5:14), and prioritizing prayer and the Word (Acts 6:4), are meant to guide this mission. Without their oversight, outreach efforts falter, lacking the fire of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Compounding this is a voluntary mindset—superficial churchmanship where commitment is optional. This produces half-hearted believers unable to share their testimony boldly. Revelation 12:11 declares that believers conquer “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Yet, without training, such boldness remains rare.

The Spark of True Revival: From Heart to Harvest

Revival is not a flashy event; it is God breathing life into His people, as seen in Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). It begins in the heart of an individual, repentant and hungry for God (Psalm 85:6—”Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”). From there, it spreads to families, where leaders like Joshua declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), and then to communities transformed by the Gospel.

Elders play a critical role in nurturing this process through humble shepherding (1 Peter 5:1-4) and equipping believers. Without their leadership, revival stalls. A significant barrier is the lack of training—workshops on evangelism, testimony-sharing, and servant leadership are scarce. Sunday school classes or similar settings could host these, turning passive attendees into active disciples. En-Joy Ministries addresses this need through our commitment training for spiritual growth, five-fold ministry workshops, servant leadership sessions, and testimony training for bold evangelism. We also offer Bridging Beliefs: Communicating the Christian Gospel Across Diverse Religious Traditions, a resource equipping believers to share the Gospel with clarity and sensitivity across cultural and religious divides.

Additionally, my book, Deliberate Steps: A Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Revival, along with its Official Study Guide: Deepening Your Walk with God, provides a roadmap for churches, small groups, and home fellowships. These resources tackle leadership drift, ignite personal revival, and empower relational outreach. We have seen groups transformed—men stepping into leadership, evangelism surging, and depth replacing shallowness. They are available now for your next study.

About Deliberate Steps and its Official Study Guide: Deepening Your Walk with God

Back to the Blueprint: A Call to Shepherds and Sheep

If your church feels stagnant—discipleship shallow, outreach ineffective, revival distant—it is time to examine leadership. Are you raising elders who pray with mountain-moving faith (James 5:14-15), resolve conflicts with wisdom (Acts 15), and shepherd humbly as examples (1 Peter 5:2-3)? Or have you settled for corporate substitutes? God’s design for eldership is not optional; it is the path to a thriving church.

In a crisis, who would you call? Let us build churches where that question has a clear answer. At En-Joy Ministries, we are dedicated to equipping you through our workshops, Bridging Beliefs training, and Deliberate Steps resources. Revival begins with surrendered hearts—yours, mine, ours. Will you take the next step?

Share your thoughts below—what leadership shift does your church need? We are praying for you.

Pastor Barron Greenwalt
En-Joy Ministries

En-Joy Ministries cultivates the joy of the Lord as a source of spiritual strength, rooted in scripture. Your donation empowers our mission to make disciples through biblical teaching, community outreach, farm-fresh giving, and meals for those in need. Help us spread the gospel and nurture mature believers who live out their faith. Every gift supports our work to enrich lives with God’s love. Thank you for partnering with us!