DiscoverThe LeadingSmart PodcastBalancing Identity and Longevity in Church Leadership
Balancing Identity and Longevity in Church Leadership

Balancing Identity and Longevity in Church Leadership

Update: 2025-08-05
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Welcome back to The LeadingSmart Podcast! šŸŽ™ļø

In this episode, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of ministry leadership: longevity and playing the long game.

After 40 years in ministry (with 20 of those at one church!), Tim shares hard-won wisdom about what it really means to build for lasting impact rather than burning out trying to "win the quarter."


What This Episode Covers

āœ… The beautiful benefits of long-term ministry relationships
āœ… How to recognize when longevity becomes unhealthy codependency
āœ… Tim's honest story about the "detox" process after leaving a 20-year ministry role
āœ… Practical wisdom on building sustainable rhythms that won't flame you out
āœ… Why thinking "long game" is essential for lasting kingdom impact

PLUS - We're launching a new segment: "Hard to Believe Church Memories" where Tim and Holly share some pretty wild stories from their church kid days. Let's just say... half-wolf attacks and Tammy Wynette's house are involved. šŸ˜…

Whether you're in your first year of ministry or your fortieth, this conversation will help you think differently about sustainability, identity, and building the kind of impact that lasts decades.

Next Episode: Holly interviews Tim AND his amazing wife Faith Stevens. You won't want to miss it!

Got your own crazy church memories? Email us at tim@leadingsmart.com - we'd love to hear them!


Resources Mentioned:

šŸ¤ Learn more about our partners at Generosity OS https://www.leadingsmart.com/partners

#LeadershipPodcast #ChurchLeadership #MinistryLife #LongGame #LeadingSmart #PodcastLife #ChurchMemories #MinistryBurnout #Leadership

šŸ“± Follow us for more insights and resources
Instagram: @timstevens
Facebook: @timstevens

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šŸ’»Visit LeadingSmart.com

šŸŽ§ Listen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years series
https://www.leadingsmart.com/podcast

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Balancing Identity and Longevity in Church Leadership

Balancing Identity and Longevity in Church Leadership

Tim Stevens