“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear Won’t Carry Us Far

Courageous church leadership rejects fear-based control. Fear may win quick compliance, but only courage, love, and trust create lasting transformation.

Fear has always been a tempting shortcut for leaders. It can get quick compliance—silence, obedience, even outward control. But as author and researcher Brené Brown recently reminded readers in The New York Times, fear has “a very short shelf life.” Leaders who rely on it must return to intimidation again and again to keep people in line.

And increasingly, people are saying, ‘We won’t live this way anymore.’

For churches, this is not simply a leadership insight; it’s a gospel truth. The way of Jesus is not the way of fear, but the way of love, courage, and transformation.

Compassionate Courage Over Fear

Brown encourages leaders to embrace what she calls compassionate courage: the willingness to have difficult conversations, hold people accountable, and lead without shame or blame. In congregational life, this means:

• Speaking truth clearly and kindly.
• Confronting conflict instead of avoiding it.
• Holding people accountable without humiliating them.
• Demonstrating humility by admitting mistakes.

This isn’t “soft” leadership; it is courageous, Spirit-led leadership that transforms rather than controls.

A Soccer Ball, a Breath, and a Better Way

Brown uses a vivid metaphor:

“Reactive leaders are like kids who try to kick a soccer ball aimed at their chest; they can’t control the trajectory of the ball that way. A good leader takes the incoming churn and instability, settles the ball, takes a breath, creates some space and time where none exists, looks down the pitch, and makes a smart decision about where to kick the ball next.”

That image will resonate. Today’s ministry faces many fast, tough challenges—political polarization, cultural upheaval, attendance changes, budget pressures, and generational shifts.

The reactive leader panics, kicks wildly, and worsens the situation. The faithful leader settles the ball. She breathes, discerns, and chooses the next faithful move.

Five Practices for Church Leaders

1. Practice sacred pauses. Before responding to criticism or a crisis, take a moment to breathe. Pray. Create space for God to speak.
2. Speak the truth in love. Difficult conversations are unavoidable. Avoid shame; choose clarity and kindness.
3. Hold others accountable without humiliating them. Correction can be honest and compassionate.
4. Be clear, be kind. Ambiguity creates anxiety. Communicate values, decisions, and expectations plainly.
5. Model grace under pressure. Congregations follow their leaders’ emotional tone. If you panic, they panic. If you trust, they learn to trust.

Why It Matters Now

• Generational Shifts: Younger generations expect authenticity and safety, not authoritarianism.
• Theological Conviction: The gospel rejects fear as a motivator. “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
• Resilient Ministry: Thriving congregations are built on courage, grace, and trust—not intimidation.

A Final Word

Fear might bring short-term compliance, but it will never cultivate long-term discipleship. Leaders who settle the ball, breathe deeply, and act with courage create space for God’s Spirit to move.

The real question for church leaders today is simple:
Are you leading from fear or from love, faith, and courage?