In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by Spence Shelton, the lead pastor of Mercy Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shelton discusses the challenges and mistakes he has made as a church planter and shares valuable insights and advice for leaders in the church and ministry context. He emphasizes the importance of humility, courage, and listening to others in leadership, drawing on his background in the business world to inform his approach to ministry.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 82

“Working in the marketplace really helped me to not only know the experience but also think well through the programming of our church and how are we equipping the saints for ministry where they are.” – Spence Shelton

“There is a level of professionalism that I want to bring to our ministry, but not for the sake of looking polished. Rather, I want them to feel like they can trust their church and there’s a level of professionalism that communicates trust.” – Spence Shelton

“Find a relationship where there’s somebody who’s got some experience and let them call out what they see God doing in your life.” – Spence Shelton

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn in my leadership as well as my character development is having to take my hands off of more and more things and trust the people that God has called into leading alongside me and under my leadership.” – Spence Shelton

“Your job is to equip the saints for ministry and if you try and control the saints instead of equip them, that vision is never going to become a reality.” – Spence Shelton

If I don’t keep my fingers off what my staff is doing, they’re going to feel like they’re being micromanaged, and they can’t lead. Plus, young leaders can’t be developed if old leaders are gripping their ministry.” – Spence Shelton

“Empower your people, equip them, and release them for ministry. Don’t try and micromanage them and control them.” – Spence Shelton

“A little bit of experience is way worse than no experience. A little bit of experience is way more dangerous than no experience.” – Spence Shelton

“Be willing to fail because if you don’t, you’re not going to risk anything. People need vision and vision is a risk so be willing to fail. But, in all things, have humility.” – Spence Shelton

“If you have humility, then you will take courageous risks that will be surrounded by wisdom because you’ll be listening to others and everything else.” – Spence Shelton

The biggest misconception I had about leadership was that my ideas would be enough. If I just had good ideas, that’d be enough. Now, ideas are important. Vision is important. But relationships matter. You will not get far just on an idea. Especially in ministry, you’re not going to get far as a leader unless you’re a servant leader.” – Spence Shelton

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World by Peter Scazzero

The Reformed Pastor: The Duties and Methods of Labors for the Souls of Men by Richard Baxter

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Carl R. Trueman

Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry by Paul David Tripp

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle