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1. What have you found most challenging as a church leader?

What I find most challenging is the ever varied and sometimes opposing opinions of people that I am trying to lead. Finding the common ground when others are focussed on differences can at times can be a challenge.

2. How did you become a church leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Soon after I had graduated high-school my youth pastor approached me and asked if I’d ever thought about being involved in pastoral ministry. I hadn’t - so I decided to give it some thought and prayer. God then opened up a number of doors that led me down that path and I have loved seeing where God has taken me over the last 13 years.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I currently only work part time as I raise my young family so it’s all a bit of a mix. Each day is very different depending on what we all have on. I try to start my day in God’s word even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, then it’s all about getting everyone where they need to be in the mornings. Once I’m at work I am driven by my to-do list which I usually write the night before. After work it’s all about family and the different night time commitments. I try and end the day as I started, in God’s word.

4. What one book had the most profound impact on your church leadership? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The book I've most recently been impacted by on a personal level which affects my role in the church is ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’. I am the type of person that feels the need to always be on the go, striving to achieve and succeed. This book has challenged me to slow down and helped me set up some healthy habits. One of which is taking a weekly Sabbath, a day to rest and worship. It is quickly becoming my favourite day of the week.

5. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

It’s one I’ve relearned recently - you can’t please everyone, just aim to please God.

6. How do you develop a healthy leadership pipeline in a church?

I think doing the journey with your leaders and not just leaving them to succeed/fail on their own is really important. This involves providing opportunities for feedback, identifying areas for growth as well as not just delegating tasks but delegating responsibilities.

7. If you had to pick just one story, what would be the most meaningful story from your time as a church leader so far?

I just love seeing Jesus transform people’s lives. When I first started out leading youth, there was this young girl who I journeyed with for a number of years. There was lots of prayer, tears and heartache but as she’s stayed planted in the local church, she has grown in her relationship with Jesus and He has brought healing and transformation to her life. I lost contact with her for a number of years while I lived overseas and it brought me so much joy to reconnect with her and see her now as an adult with kids of her own, loving Jesus and making disciples.