Sharpen the Saw: Why Leadership Development Should Be Ongoing for Every Pastor

In Ecclesiastes 10:10, Solomon wisely observes, “If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” It paints a vivid picture of a dull axe—one that makes your work harder, slower, and less effective than it should be. As pastors and leaders in Christ’s church, we must regularly pause to sharpen our tools—our hearts, minds, and skills—so that we can lead with wisdom and strength, not just effort.

Leadership Development Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Biblical Mandate

The Apostle Paul urged Timothy not only to “preach the word” but also to “fan into flame the gift of God” that was in him (2 Timothy 1:6). This signifies intentionality—ongoing development and stewardship of the calling we’ve received. In our context, it means growing in leadership capacity as shepherds, disciplers, communicators, and vision-carriers.

But in the demands of ministry, it’s easy to let leadership development slip. Sermon preparation, hospital visits, counseling sessions, staff meetings, and facility issues consume our week. Before long, we find ourselves running on yesterday’s fuel, relying on the instincts and methods that brought us this far, which may not take us any further.

Leadership growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes commitment. And thankfully, it doesn’t have to happen alone.

Four Practices for Pastoral Leadership Growth

Here are four essential ways to keep growing as a pastor and leader in your context:

1. Read Thoughtfully and Regularly

Books give us access to mentors we may never meet in person. They sharpen our thinking, stir our imagination, and offer proven wisdom from the trenches of leadership and ministry.

Here are a few recommended reads for 2025, each chosen for a specific reason:

• Lead by Paul David Tripp

Why: A heart-level look at leadership, reminding pastors that character matters more than charisma. Tripp focuses on gospel humility, healthy team dynamics, and the internal battles of ministry.

• Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger

Why: Leadership in a post-Christendom culture requires adaptive thinking. Bolsinger uses the journey of Lewis and Clark to explore how to lead faithfully when the terrain changes dramatically.

• The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler

Why: Mohler challenges leaders not just to manage but to lead with deep theological conviction. A call to lead from a biblical worldview, not pragmatism—ideal for pastors feeling pulled in cultural crosswinds.

• QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller

Why: A simple but powerful book on personal responsibility and leadership initiative. It’s about asking better questions—ones that lead to action instead of blame-shifting. Great for staff and elder teams as well.

Set a goal to read one book per quarter. Better yet, pick one and read it with another pastor or in a small group to discuss and apply it together.

2. Attend Conferences and Workshops

There’s something powerful about stepping away from the week-to-week to hear fresh voices, worship with others in ministry, and receive insight you didn’t even know you needed.

Conferences to Consider:

• The Crossroads Fellowship Pastors’ Conference (Oct 27–29, 2025)
• Theme: Disciples Make Disciples
• Why: This is your tribe—pastors who understand your context and share your mission. The keynote messages, cohort discussions, and shared meals will refocus and refresh your leadership.
• The GARBC National Conference or The Gospel Coalition (TGC) Events
• Why: These national gatherings feature strong biblical teaching, cultural engagement, and excellent resources for preaching, theology, and ministry.
• Small Church USA or The Malphurs Group Regional Events
• Why: Especially valuable for churches under 150 in attendance.  These meetings offer practical, size-appropriate solutions and encouragement for small-church leaders.

Budget for one or more events per year. It’s not an expense—it’s an investment in your health, your calling, and your church’s future.

3. Engage in Leadership Peer Groups

No leader thrives alone. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Peer groups give pastors a space for honest conversation, mutual support, and shared wisdom.

Crossroads Fellowship is developing regional and ministry-aligned cohorts. These small groups (typically 4–6 pastors) meet quarterly and include:

• Ministry and personal updates
• Shared discussion around a book or topic
• Leadership challenges and best practices
• Time for encouragement and prayer

If you’re not yet part of one, consider starting a group. Let us know—we’re ready to help connect you with others in your area or ministry setting.

Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.

4. Seek Mentors and Coaches

Who’s helping you grow right now? Who’s asking you the hard questions or encouraging you when you feel worn out?

We need mentors—seasoned pastors who have walked the road before us—and coaches who can ask the right questions and offer clarity during challenging seasons.

Here are some ways to take a step:

• Ask a retired pastor or wise elder in Crossroads to meet with you monthly—for perspective, prayer, and practical insight.
• Look for informal coaching relationships with a peer, a regional leader, or someone you respect.
• Build coaching into your budget or schedule—not as a fix-it tool, but as part of a healthy, ongoing development process. To seek guidance—it’s wisdom.

What Happens If We Don’t?

Neglecting leadership development has consequences. Ministry becomes reactive, not proactive. Our churches plateau. Our preaching flattens. Our staff wander. And eventually, we grow tired—not from the work itself, but from carrying it alone and unrefreshed.

But when we keep growing:

• We think more clearly.
• We communicate more effectively.
• We inspire others to lead.
• We model growth for our churches.

We stay sharp. And sharp tools, Solomon says, make the work easier and more fruitful.

Let’s Grow Together

Crossroads Fellowship exists to help pastors flourish. We believe healthy churches are led by growing leaders—men of prayer, grit, humility, and vision who refuse to settle for cruise control.

• So what’s your next step?
• Pick up a book that stretches your leadership.
• Register for the October conference.
• Join or start a leadership peer group.
• Reach out to someone who can walk with you, or someone you can invest in.

Your church needs your leadership. Your family needs your health. And your calling deserves your best.

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you… being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2–3). May part of your example be a passion to grow, so your church can, too.

If you’d like help choosing a book, forming a group, or attending a conference, reach out to us. We’re here to support your journey because disciples make disciples, and leaders raise up leaders.

Let’s sharpen the saw—together.

“It Just Needs a Spark” — What Keeps Our Fellowship Running

When I was sixteen, my dad taught me how to keep my 1972 Pontiac Tempest running. It wasn’t the prettiest car on the road, but it had character—and a lot of little problems.

Whenever it wouldn’t start, Dad would walk me through a simple diagnostic: Is it getting fuel? We’d smell the carburetor. Is it getting air? We’d check the intake. And then came the part I dreaded most: Is it getting spark? He’d hand me a screwdriver and say, “Hold this between the spark plug and the wire while I crank the engine. You’ll see if it’s firing.”

That was terrifying for a teenager. I had visions of being launched across the driveway. But he’d say the same thing every time: “Usually, that’s the problem. The engine needs a little spark.”

Decades later, that moment still sticks with me, not just because of the jolt I never actually received, but because of the wisdom in my dad’s words.

Sometimes, all you need is a spark.

That’s why Crossroads Fellowship exists—and why we’ve built our community around five core values that together form the acrostic SPARK:

• Shared Theology
• Professional Development
• Applicational Diversity
• Regular Interaction
• Kingdom Impact

These five principles are more than a checklist—they’re the spark that keeps the engine of our fellowship running. Without them, we stall. With them, we move forward in faith, purpose, and unity.

S – Shared Theology: Our Common Fuel

Every engine needs fuel. For us, it’s shared theology.

We believe in the authority of God’s Word, the exclusivity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, believer’s baptism, and the essential doctrines that define our evangelical Baptist heritage. This is our common ground—the truth that unites us.

Paul urged Timothy to “guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14, ESV). That deposit wasn’t money or influence. It was doctrine. Theology matters—not as an abstract system, but as the foundation of faithful ministry.

Shared theology means we can trust each other. We’re not headed in different directions. We’re aligned in our understanding of the gospel and our mission to proclaim it.

P – Professional Development: Tuning the Engine

Engines need maintenance. So do pastors and leaders.

The second value in SPARK reminds us that growth is essential. Paul wrote, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15). Leaders should be growing, not just in knowledge, but in wisdom, character, and competence.

Professional development isn’t about climbing a ministry ladder. It’s about becoming more like Jesus as we serve His church. That’s why we invest in training, mentoring, and resourcing pastors at every stage of ministry—from the newly ordained to the nearly retired.

Because when leaders grow, the church grows.

A – Applicational Diversity: One Gospel, Many Roads

The same spark plugs fit in many engines, but they fire differently depending on the design.

That’s how we see the gospel: the same truth applied uniquely in different contexts. Paul said, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). That’s applicational diversity.

Our fellowship includes a diverse range of churches, from urban to rural, incorporating both large congregations and small gatherings. We preach the same gospel, but we apply it differently—contextually, creatively, and faithfully.

We don’t confine everyone to one mold. We celebrate the uniqueness of each church while remaining unified in message. That’s not compromise—it’s wisdom.

R – Regular Interaction: Keeping the System Connected

Even a good engine needs regular starts—or it seizes up.

Ministry can be a lonely experience. That’s why regular interaction is essential. The early church “devoted themselves… to the fellowship” (Acts 2:42). Not just potlucks or polite handshakes, but koinonia—shared life.

At Crossroads, we believe in authentic relationships. That’s why we prioritize cohort gatherings, prayer huddles, retreats, and conferences. We check in with one another, share laughter, and sometimes cry together.

Isolation breeds burnout. Connection breeds endurance.

K – Kingdom Impact: Driving Toward Something Greater

The goal of a running engine isn’t just noise—it’s movement.

We exist not just for fellowship’s sake, but for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). That command wasn’t given to individual churches in isolation—it was given to a people on mission together.

Kingdom impact means we plant new churches, develop new leaders, revitalize declining congregations, and send workers into harvest fields both near and far. It means we rejoice when another church succeeds—even if it’s not ours—because we’re not building empires; we’re building the Kingdom.

We’re not just polishing chrome. We’re moving toward a mission.

Why SPARK Matters

Each of these values—shared theology, professional development, applicational diversity, regular interaction, and kingdom impact—plays a vital role. Together, they create the spark that ignites hope, courage, collaboration, and transformation in our fellowship.

They keep us from becoming stale or stalled. They pull us out of silos and into partnership. They remind us that what we do matters—and that we’re not doing it alone.

You may be leading a church that feels small. You may feel overwhelmed, under-resourced, or unseen. But the story isn’t over. As my dad would say:

“Sometimes all it takes is a spark.”

The Spark Is Here

If you are a member of Crossroads Fellowship, embrace these values. Allow them to influence how you lead, connect with others, and pray.

If you’re new or just exploring, know this: we aren’t a perfect fellowship. But we are a genuine one, bound by grace, truth, and a desire to see the name of Jesus lifted high in every corner of Indiana and beyond.

So, let’s keep the engine running, check for spark, and move forward—together—for the glory of God and the good of His church.

“Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”

—2 Timothy 1:6

Preach the Epistles as the Voice of Jesus

A word to my fellow pastors in the Crossroads Fellowship

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:20

Pastors, we know these words well. The Great Commission isn’t just about going or baptizing—it’s also about teaching. And not just teaching anything, but everything Jesus commanded. That raises a question we must answer with clarity and conviction: When we preach the Epistles—such as Romans, Ephesians, James, or 1 Peter—are we still teaching the commands of Jesus?

Yes. Without hesitation. When we preach the Epistles, we are not teaching new doctrines from Paul, Peter, or John. We are proclaiming the words of Christ—His truth, His commands, His Gospel—as passed down by the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Let me show you what I mean.

The Epistles Are Not New Teachings—They Are Jesus Applied

Each New Testament epistle is rooted in and flows from what Jesus already taught. The apostles weren’t creating a new faith; they were obeying Jesus’ command to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.” The Epistles aren’t departures from Jesus—they’re detailed instructions on how to live out His words in local churches.

Let’s look at a few examples:

Romans: Righteousness by Faith

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Paul opens Romans by declaring the Gospel reveals “the righteousness of God” (Rom. 1:17). He explains that this righteousness is not earned by works but received by faith—just as Jesus said of the humble tax collector who “went down to his house justified” (Luke 18:14). Romans isn’t adding to Jesus; it’s explaining Him.

1 Corinthians: Unity, Purity, and the Cross

Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one…” (John 17:21). Paul confronts the Corinthian church’s divisions (1 Cor. 1:10–13) and calls them back to unity in Christ. He centers their faith not on human personalities but “Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), echoing Jesus’ own teaching: “I, when I am lifted up… will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

Paul’s instruction on church discipline (1 Cor. 5) reflects Jesus’ command in Matthew 18:15–17 about confronting sin within the community of faith. It’s Jesus applied to church life.

Galatians: Freedom and Grace

Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Galatians is a passionate defense of that freedom—freedom from legalism, from earning God’s favor through works. Paul’s rebuke of Peter’s hypocrisy (Gal. 2) is not theological rivalry—it’s a defense of the truth Jesus preached: that grace alone saves.

Ephesians: The Church as Christ’s Body

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Paul describes the church as Christ’s body (Eph. 1:22–23) and urges believers to walk in unity, humility, and love (Eph. 4:1–3), reflecting the heart of Jesus’ command in John 13:34–35: “Love one another, just as I have loved you.”

Even Paul’s teaching on marriage in Ephesians 5 draws directly from Jesus’ own view of marriage as a God-ordained, one-flesh covenant (Matt. 19:4–6).

Philippians: Joy in Suffering and Humility

Jesus taught, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:10). Paul, writing from prison, rejoices in suffering for the Gospel (Phil. 1:12–18). His call to humility in Philippians 2 mirrors Jesus’ own words: “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). The Christ-hymn in Philippians 2:5–11 captures the very spirit of Jesus’ life and ministry.

James: Sermon on the Mount in Action

James almost reads like a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. He writes, “Be doers of the word…” (James 1:22), echoing Jesus’ “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them…” (Matt. 7:24). James calls out hypocrisy, warns against favoritism, and elevates mercy—just as Jesus did in Matthew 5–7. When James says, “Faith without works is dead,” he’s not opposing Jesus—he’s expounding on what Jesus taught all along.

1 Peter: Holiness and Hope in Suffering

Jesus told His disciples to expect persecution and rejoice when it comes (Matt. 5:11–12). Peter tells the church exactly that—rejoice in trials, follow Christ’s example in suffering (1 Pet. 2:21), and be holy (1 Pet. 1:15–16), just as Jesus said, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).

1 John: Love, Obedience, and Truth

Jesus gave a “new commandment”—to love one another as He had loved them (John 13:34). John says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6). He emphasizes obedience, truth, and love—the marks of a true disciple, just as Jesus did.

When You Preach the Epistles, You Are Preaching Jesus

This has massive implications for us as pastors.

We are not preaching Paul’s opinion or Peter’s ideas. We are preaching Jesus’ teaching, made plain and applied to the church. That means when we quote from Galatians, we’re quoting Jesus. When we call people to holiness from 1 Peter or to generosity from 2 Corinthians, we are speaking with the authority of the Lord, not just the apostles.

This should give us great confidence and clarity in our teaching. It also should shape how we disciple others. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27). The Epistles help His voice ring out clearly and powerfully in every generation.

Let’s Teach All That He Commanded

Brothers in the Crossroads Fellowship, let’s recommit ourselves to preaching the Epistles—not as a “second layer” of the New Testament, but as the voice of Jesus Christ to His church.

Let’s say with confidence, when we open 1 Thessalonians or Titus, “This is what the Lord Jesus teaches.” Let’s raise up disciples who know that the words of the apostles are the words of Christ, applied to real-life church and mission.

And let’s be pastors who make much of Jesus, especially when we’re preaching from Paul.

“He who hears you hears me…” — Luke 10:16