I’ve filled a number of ministry roles, including youth pastor, executive pastor, and lead pastor. Each position was unique and provided a different perspective on church leadership.

As a lead pastor, I now realize some of the most important lessons came from leading when I wasn’t in charge. This is sometimes referred to as second-chair leadership.

In Leading from the Second Chair, authors Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson define a second-chair leader as “a person in a subordinate role whose influence with others adds value throughout the organization.”

In church ministry, these individuals commonly fill staff pastor positions. They aren’t in charge, but they’re still influential.

So, how do you lead when you’re not the person in charge? I believe leading from a subordinate posture requires four foundational commitments.

1. Partner with the pastor. Staff pastors may not be in charge of vision casting, communication, or fundraising, but they can certainly support and play a vital role in all of those functions.

These leaders partner with the pastor to help advance the church’s mission. They serve on the same team and should champion what God has called the pastor and congregation to do.

2. Protect the heart. Staff pastors navigate the space between being in charge of the vision and being responsible for it.

Second-chair leaders should take the initiative to learn, grow, and improve.

Many struggle with this role because they want to be captain of the ship. Letting someone else steer bothers them. It’s important to surrender such feelings to God and submit to His plan.

Without the right heart, a second-chair leader risks sabotaging the vison — and pastor — God has called him or her to serve. Therefore, the leader must guard against jealousy, discontentment, criticism, divisiveness, negativity, and pride.

3. Prioritize the vision. Second-chair leaders put the pastor’s vision above their own ambitions and ideas. This doesn’t mean letting go of personal hopes for the future. It simply means they maintain the right focus.

Some team members may impose pet projects, side hustles, and alternative visions onto the pastor or congregation. But taking the high road means choosing service over personal dreams and desires.

4. Pursue the skills. Finally, staff pastors develop an essential set of skills to serve effectively in their roles. They become proficient at leading others, building teams, managing systems, making decisions, communicating, and creating culture.

Without these skills, they may have a heart for ministry but lack the ability to steward it effectively.

Second-chair leaders should take the initiative to learn, grow, and improve. Personal and professional development is a life habit that will serve them well not only in their current positions, but also in wherever God leads them next.

This installment of Make It Count unpacks 10 essential qualities for leading when you’re not in charge. To view the PDF, click on the image below.

Adapted from the Fall 2024 issue of Influence magazine.