Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen
Be a “Fly on the Wall” as Chris Sonksen takes you behind the scenes on a coaching call with a ministry leader. In each episode, you’ll get to hear how a coaching call happens, practical tips on how to grow your ministry, and what it takes to be a healthy leader in today's culture. You'll get to be a "fly on the wall" and listen to a live coaching session between Chris and a church leader like yourself.
Fly on the Wall Podcast With Chris Sonksen
218 | Leadership Mistakes Every Pastor Makes (and How to Avoid Them)
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What if the biggest thing holding your church back... isn't your strategy, your budget, or your attendance?
What if it's a leadership blind spot you don't even realize you have?
In Episode 218 of the Fly on the Wall Podcast, I sat down with Clinton for an honest conversation about some of the most common leadership mistakes I see pastors make—and, more importantly, how to avoid them before they become costly.
We talk about everything from toxic team members and leadership development to personal health, coaching, and the tension between spiritual leadership and practical execution.
Here's some of what we unpack:
- Why taking care of yourself isn't a balance issue—it's an obedience issue
- The leadership mistake I see over and over again when it comes to building teams
- How to recognize toxicity early before it causes unnecessary damage
- Why pastors often keep the wrong people in the wrong roles for too long
- The danger of leading from fear instead of conviction
- Why so many pastors wait until they're desperate before asking for help
- How apprenticing leaders creates long-term multiplication and healthy growth
- The importance of training people so well they could leave—but treating them so well they don't
- Why Spirit and strategy aren't competing ideas—they belong together
One line from this conversation has stuck with me ever since we recorded it:
"You can't lead with authority if you're addicted to approval."
We also talk about coaching, lifelong learning, and why the Church should be setting the standard for leadership development instead of trying to catch up with everyone else.
If you're leading a church, building a team, or simply trying to become a healthier leader, I think this conversation will challenge and encourage you.
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👋 About Us
Fly on the Wall Podcast, presented by Church Boom, takes pastors into a live coaching session with Chris Sonksen, CEO & Founder of Church Boom. Each episode features a pastor, just like you, as they share the challenges they face and get practical advice on how to overcome them.