We’ve often heard the phrase: “Lead by example.” It’s a timeless principle—if you want others to do something, show them how to do it. However, as senior pastors, lead pastors, or directors of ministries, there is something even more impactful than leading by example: creating the environment needed to accomplish the goals you’ve set for your team and church.
Let’s take discipleship as an example. Leading by example means personally discipling someone or being part of a small discipleship group. This is important—pastors should actively make disciples. When leaders tell their congregation to make disciples, people naturally look to see if the leader is doing it themselves.
However, many pastors stop here, assuming their personal example will grow discipleship across the church. While modeling discipleship is crucial, it’s not enough to bring about transformation on a larger scale.
Pastors are also culture-makers. This means we must shape the environment to foster healthy discipleship. This requires examining the current situation, celebrating what’s going well, and identifying areas for improvement on a macro level.
An Example: Relational Discipleship
At our church, we emphasize relational discipleship. Here’s what that looks like:
- The pastoral team is with the people. They are not distant managers or figureheads but shepherds who are actively present, walking alongside the congregation.
- Discipleship is more than programs or statistics. We teach that relationships matter more than numbers. When pastors and leaders invest in relationships, the church begins to reflect this heart.
This isn’t something that can be entirely taught in a class. It’s caught through consistent modeling and an environment that reinforces relational discipleship.
For example, we have embraced a “Life-on-Life” discipleship culture, where leaders don’t just meet in formal sessions but genuinely do life together—sharing meals, celebrating milestones, and supporting one another in challenges. It takes time, but when the spirit of relational discipleship catches on, the church transforms:
- Discipleship stops feeling like “another task” and becomes the heart of the church’s life.
- Missional friendships are built, and people develop a genuine commitment to the church’s mission.
How to Lead by Environment
So, how do we create environments where the culture we desire thrives? Here are practical steps:
1. Lead by Example
Start small. Establish small pockets of the culture, values, and practices you want within smaller groups. Model this consistently, then spread the vision among your team.
In Victory BGC, Pastor Paolo Punzalan regularly shares stories of his personal discipleship and evangelism moments. This inspires others to see discipleship as not just theoretical but doable and deeply rewarding.
2. Watch Your Language
Your language sets the tone for the culture you want to build. For example, in relational discipleship, we have moved away from overly formal or academic language and embraced familial terms like “brother,” “sister,” or “family.”
3. Lead Through Your Team
The pastoral team is the foundation of any cultural shift. If the team exemplifies the desired environment, it will multiply throughout the church. We have to remind our pastoral team that we are team one. What we do is what would be practiced. What we value are the things that are celebrated.
4. Celebrate Wins and Be Patient
Cultural transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Celebrate small victories and highlight stories that embody the values you want to promote. You know you’re building something healthy and sustainable when you see discipleship growing in relationships and not just numbers.
We’ve seen how this relational approach produces fruit not only in the church but also in families, workplaces, and communities. It’s not just about programs or events; it’s about cultivating a spiritually and emotionally healthy community that reflects Christ’s love.
To lead effectively, we must combine leading by example with leading by environment. By shaping a culture where people live out the church’s mission, we create more than followers—we create disciples who disciple others.
In the words of Pastor Steve Murrell,
“We don’t just make disciples. We make disciples who make disciples.”
That’s the power of leading by example and by environment.