# 10 Church Leadership Quotes to Inspire You This Holiday Season | Capterra > Church leaders often face similar problems, from attendance decline to burnout. Here are 10 inspirational church leadership quotes to help you through this winter. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/church-leadership-quotes-to-inspire-you-this-holiday-season --- # 10 Church Leadership Quotes to Inspire You This Holiday Season By Abby Kahler Abby Kahler Abby Kahler is a graphic designer for Capterra, a company that loves connecting buyers and sellers of business software. She specializes in church management... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/akahler/) Published December 20, 2017 6 min read How often do you look at your church team and wonder, _what are they thinking?_ Sometimes as a leader, it can feel like you are very far away from the people gathered around you, and you don't quite know what words of encouragement they need at the time. In every ministry, whether youth group, an IT team, or an entire congregation, leaders need their own advice too sometimes. Whether it's [declining attendance](https://www.capterra.com/resources/church-leaders-speak-up-honest-thoughts-on-church-attendance-decline/), strained budget, or struggles with faith, every problem that you face as a church leader has been faced by someone before you. You're not in this alone. Here are 10 church leadership quotes that can refocus you for the holidays and the coming year. ## 1\. Don't stress over numbers _Source:_ [_Kingsley Opuwari Manuel_](https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/church-ministry) You hear a lot about spiritual gifts in the church. But sometimes labeling congregants only marks them as a static object—rather than as someone who is in the process of change. Your job as a leader, someone with the vision to see gifts, is to take joy as you note personal changes occurring in your team. ## 2\. It's going to get messy _Source:_ [_Anne Graham Lotz_](http://www.annegrahamlotz.org/) Here it's interesting to note the word “obscene." Oftentimes, leadership will bring you into situations that are just plain awful. Whether you embarrass yourself horribly stepping into a role that you shouldn't fill, or an Easter service just goes haywire, remember that true leadership includes patience for terrible mistakes. ## 3\. Take some time off _Source:_ [_A.A. Milne_](https://i.imgur.com/OVFTY.jpg) This quote, from the writer of "Winnie the Pooh," is one I know you've forgotten: take a break! God did not schedule 45 minutes for his commute home on the seventh day. He took the _whole_ day off. If you are leading a team and find yourself constantly in their heads, rather than in your own, make sure to find that time away to reset so you can come back to leadership with a clear vision. Sometimes the best way to do this is to use tools like [church management software](https://www.capterra.com/church-management-software/) to make certain tasks such as volunteer scheduling and donation management more efficient, so that more things get done with less worry from you. ## 4\. Get involved _Source:_ [_Xun Kuang, aka Xunzi_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xun_Kuang) This quote, commonly falsely attributed to Benjamin Franklin, actually comes from [Chinese Confucian philosopher Xunzi](https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/tell_me_and_i_forget_teach_me_and_i_may_remember_involve_me_and_i_will_lear/). However, as predictable as it may be, I think this one is at the core of what it means to be a leader. As a leader in the church, you are not there to preside, you are there to mingle. This means that if you are directing a project, take some time to do some of the steps with your group. It is not enough to issue orders—make sure that your team knows you have a personal stake in them, and that their roles are indispensable. ## 5\. Show a little love S_ource:_ [_J.R.R. Tolkien_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBH_mUn3po0) I managed to refrain from quoting C.S. Lewis, but I couldn't leave you without a quote from Gandalf, could I? Sometimes being a leader is not just about knowing the right answer, or being extremely organized—although a good [calendar](https://www.capterra.com/resources/the-5-easiest-to-use-church-volunteer-scheduling-software-options/) is certainly important. When your group is dealing with the stress of a difficult season, for whatever reason, it is most important to let them know that you care about them. This can mean leaving a cupcake on someone's desk when they look like they could really use it, but it also means building up a day-to-day culture of kindness—making compliments a part of the weekly meeting, or taking note of birthdays. ## 6\. Maintain your groundwork _Source:_ [_Dorothy Day_](https://aleteia.org/2017/08/23/my-strength-returns-to-me-with-my-cup-of-coffee-and-the-reading-of-the-psalms/) This quote is from [Dorothy Day](https://www.biography.com/people/dorothy-day-9268575), someone who learned to lead powerfully while working as a mid-century Christian activist for workers' rights. However, this quote is less about how to inspire those beneath you as it is a reminder to build up habits that keep your own fire stoked every day. When you wake up every morning with a cup of coffee and the reading of the psalms, you will be that much more prepared for your role leading a larger team. ## 7\. Don't be discouraged by your limitations S_ource: Inspired by_ [_Archbishop Oscar Romero_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93scar_Romero)_, written by_ [_Bishop Ken Untener_](https://www.journeywithjesus.net/PoemsAndPrayers/Ken_Untener_A_Future_Not_Our_Own.shtml) This quote is an excerpt from the poem “[A Future Not Our Own](http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/archbishop_romero_prayer.cfm)," inspired by the Archbishop Oscar Romero (assassinated in 1980) and written by Bishop Ken Untener. This quote should serve as a reminder that one of the powers of a great leader is the ability to realize that where your leadership ends, God's leadership begins. When you take stock at the end of the year and[review your ministry's performance](https://www.capterra.com/performance-appraisal-software/), be encouraged in knowing that this year is just a preparation for the next. ## 8\. Remember you have a long way to go _Source:_ [_Ravi Zacharias_](http://rzim.org/about/ravi-zacharias/) One of the most recently successful Christian apologists and a bestselling author, Ravi Zacharias has a double charge here, and not just for ministers! All types of young church leaders benefit from a position of humility, and seeking the wisdom of those who have occupied their position in the past. If you are a young leader, try reaching out to someone who has filled your shoes before and jot down some notes on what to work on in the coming year. Building up discipline for yourself and remembering that you still have a long way to go will help create genuine respect in the ministry you are starting to lead. ## 9\. Walk a mile in their shoes _Source:_ [_David Bailey_](http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/21321-racial-reconciliation-church.html?utm_content=buffer3c82d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer) This quote comes from David Bailey, founder of [Arrabon](http://arrabon.com/), a ministry focused on racial reconciliation, a topic that is becoming more and more relevant to churches across America. It can be hard to know how to start addressing this topic, and how to integrate it into your personal ministry. It's helpful to remember that the real work required to address this issue is just what you are already called to do—form relationships and learn about people. If you're committed to stepping into the spaces that people different from you are occupying, you will be able to build trust in a more diverse team, and [achieve better results](http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/01/21/diverse_groups_make_better_decisions.html#lf_comment=131678073) as a bonus! ## 10\. Rest and read _Source: (_[_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John\_Piper_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Piper)(theologian))\_ For those of you who are just looking for a bit of practical advice, here it is: try taking half the day off once a month just to create a space for yourself, and take notes on what you read. Better yet, read these specific books that John Piper recommends! And if you're not into them, try the ones we suggest in this article from last Christmas. Resting, reading, and learning can go a long way to help you guide your ministry into the coming year. ## What quotes inspire you? Are there any quotes that you have found inspiring as you learn about leadership? Please share them below! And if you are hungry for more leadership advice, check out these other articles on Capterra's church management blog: - [8 Expert Tips: How Leadership In The Church Can Better Communicate With Their Congregation](https://www.capterra.com/resources/8-expert-tips-how-leadership-in-the-church-can-better-communicate-with-their-congregation/) - [Dream Big: 8 Motivational Lessons to Try at Your Church This Fall](https://www.capterra.com/resources/dream-big-motivational-lessons-to-try-at-your-church-this-fall/) ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Looking for Church Management software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Church Management software](https://www.capterra.com/church-management-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Abby Kahler](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/akahler/) Abby Kahler is a graphic designer for Capterra, a company that loves connecting buyers and sellers of business software. She specializes in church management software. When she’s not covering the industry, you can find her doodling furiously in Photoshop and clogging up her hard drive with graphic design projects. ### RELATED READING - [How AI Onboarding Tools are Reshaping HR Operations](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-onboarding-tools-for-hr/) - [Project Resource Management: What PMs Need to Know](https://www.capterra.com/resources/project-resource-management/) - [5 Types of Accounting Software and How To Choose the Right One](https://www.capterra.com/resources/types-of-accounting/) - [What is the Difference Between Accounting and Financial Management Software?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/accounting-vs-financial-management/) - [AI vs Automation in Project Management: Where Each Actually Delivers Value](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-and-automation-in-project-management/) - [What’s Behind the Pricing Jump in Project Management Software Plans](https://www.capterra.com/resources/project-management-software-pricing/) - [What is a Job Requisition? Here’s Everything You Need to Know](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-a-job-requisition/) - [Free CRM Software vs. Paid: Features, Costs, and Comparison](https://www.capterra.com/resources/free-vs-paid-software-for-crm-guide/) - [Accounting Trends in 2026: How AI Is Changing Work, Skills, and Strategy](https://www.capterra.com/resources/accounting-trends-ai-software-changing-work/)