Blog
Oct 13, 2025
4 Strategic Questions Every Church Leader Should Ask to Navigate Change
We live in a time marked by volatility and rapid change. Five-year plans can feel unrealistic when technological growth, societal upheaval, economic instability, and unprecedented access to information are all accelerating at once. Ministry and organizational leaders face new challenges in this climate, but if we know where to look, kingdom opportunities abound.
I know this firsthand. Years ago, I was leading Jews for Jesus’ flagship branch in New York City, and I hit a wall. Our ministry wasn’t connecting with people the way it had in the past. The methods and programs that once bore fruit now felt out of step with where culture was headed. We were praying for breakthrough and faithfully reaching out, but the response was clearly diminished. Deep down, I knew we needed to try something different, but I didn’t know where to begin.
I sought out mentors and experienced leaders, hoping they had answers. Many of them were just as perplexed. They too were wrestling with how to minister effectively in a changing world. Eventually, I decided I needed to broaden my search. I enrolled in an MPA program at New York University, immersing myself in studies on leadership, change, and innovation in today’s complex landscape.
Along the way, I realized we had been asking the wrong questions.
We were tracking how many people we spoke with each day about the Lord, but those numbers weren’t leading to deeper engagement. The problem wasn’t our faithfulness, it was our framework. We needed to step back, ask new questions, and think carefully and strategically about how to adapt our approaches for a gospel-resistant society while still remaining rooted in the timeless truth of Jesus.
Since then, and through much trial and error, we’ve discovered a set of tools that help us frame the right questions and tackle the most significant obstacles in ministry. If you, like me, find yourself searching for ways to navigate change and spark innovation in your context, here are a few of those questions to help point you in the right direction.
What Is Our Purpose?
Followers of Jesus have been given a purpose. In Matthew 28:18–20, we’re called to “go and make disciples.” That command has been the heartbeat of the church for two millennia. But here’s the challenge: it’s very broad.
Think about it. If a Christian shelter for women in crisis and a Bible college both described their mission only as “making disciples,” we wouldn’t know what made either one unique. Both are vitally important, but they’re called to serve in very different ways. That’s why it helps to bring clarity. Called to what? Called to whom?
Today, the word “mission” shows up everywhere. Most companies have mission statements, and in many ways, the church can learn from that. Interestingly, the term comes from the Latin missio, used by Jesuits to describe being sent out with the gospel. Later, management thinkers like Peter Drucker borrowed the idea, urging businesses to define their purpose. Since then, organizations of all kinds have seen the value of clarifying why they exist.
Author Jim Collins puts it like this: your mission is your “core purpose,” something that lasts beyond goals or strategies. Goals can be reached and strategies can change, but mission remains a guiding star. It gives direction no matter what season you’re in.
So before you launch anything new, ask: Why do we exist? What difference are we hoping to make in the world, and how do we intend to do it?
Where Are We Going?
Every major work of God begins with vision. It may start as a burden for revival on a college campus, or an idea for serving single-parent families in need. A true vision is anchored in God’s kingdom, and it always begins with Him.
Vision is powerful because it creates a picture of a preferred future. It names what could be if God were to move. Without it, our ministry efforts often default to “business as usual.” Programs keep running, but lives are not transformed.
Some people wonder, “If it’s God’s mission, why do we need to plan?” The answer is that He’s invited us into His work. As Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” We can’t produce lasting fruit on our own, but He’s chosen to use our prayers, our dependence, and yes, our vision.
That’s why before you commit to a project, you need to ask why. If you’re going to pour yourself into something costly and exhausting, make sure you know why it matters. Spend time with your team in prayer, asking God to shape your vision and confirm the “why” behind it.
When the “why” is clear, the “what” and “how” often follow more naturally. If your burden is for university students, your vision may be to see young men and women come alive in Christ during a season of life where they’re making decisions that will shape their future. If your burden is for single parents, your vision may be to see moms and dads strengthened in faith while their children experience the love and care of the church.
A vision is not just a dream, it is an anchor. It keeps you from getting distracted by opportunities that may be good but not essential. It reminds your team what you are pressing toward, especially when the work gets hard.
Who Are We?
God rarely calls people to work alone. Moses had Aaron, Paul had Barnabas, and Jesus Himself gathered twelve disciples. The picture of the church as a body reminds us that we need one another.
Strong leaders understand that vision doesn’t start and stop with them. They invite others into the process and create space for a diversity of gifts. At Jews for Jesus, we’ve learned that teamwork not only multiplies what we can do, but it also sustains us when ministry gets hard.
Think of the difference between rowing a canoe by yourself and being part of a well-trained rowing team. Alone, you may go in circles or wear yourself out. Together, you can cover distance with power and rhythm.
This also requires self-awareness. Good leaders know their strengths, but they also admit their limits. Ask yourself: What does my team bring to the table? Where are we lacking? Who else do we need in order to see this vision come alive?
For example, maybe you’re strong in teaching but weak in administration. You need someone who can help you stay organized and follow through on details. Or maybe you’re a visionary but not as skilled in pastoral care. You need someone who can walk closely with people and provide shepherding.
The church was designed to function this way. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12, every part of the body matters. Every gift is needed. The key is to recognize the strengths of your team and steward them well.
Who Do We Serve?
Several years ago, I worked with Mike Volkema, then Chairman of the Board of Herman Miller and currently the CEO. He described his company’s “outside-in” approach: instead of creating products and hoping customers want them, they study their customers first and design around their needs.
That principle applies to ministry too. If vision is your destination and your team is your crew, then the people you serve are the reason for the journey. But if your ministry is aimed vaguely at “everyone,” you risk connecting deeply with no one.
At Jews for Jesus, we’ve moved toward focusing on specific communities. To do that well, you need to know who you’re trying to reach. What do they care about? What are their struggles? Creating a profile of the person you hope to serve can help you design ministry that actually meets their needs.
This doesn’t mean excluding people. It means being intentional about understanding your audience. A ministry focused on university students will look very different from one focused on retirees. A church serving young families will have different rhythms and programs than one serving immigrants who are new to the country.
Here are a few practical steps:
Listen First: Spend time in the community. Ask questions. Pay attention to what people actually need rather than assuming you already know.
Create Personas: Write down a description of the type of person you hope to serve (their age, background, challenges, hopes). This will help your team stay focused.
Test and Adapt: Try something small. See how people respond. Be willing to adjust based on feedback.
The more you know who you serve, the more effectively you can love them in the name of Jesus.