The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 761 | The Hardest Assignment in Ministry: Tim Stevens on Willow Creek, Firing Well, and Finding Momentum
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Oct 21, 2025 Tim Stevens, a veteran church leader and turnaround specialist from Willow Creek, shares his insights from four decades in ministry. He discusses the challenges of leading during crises, emphasizing the importance of trust and transparency. Tim reveals how to spot talent and the significance of cultural fit in hiring. He also highlights the fragility of momentum and the keys to recovering it. Stevens provides invaluable advice on firing with kindness and avoiding the pitfalls of conflict avoidance, all while encouraging a belief in the best intentions of others.
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Walking Into A Crisis Church
- Tim describes arriving at Willow Creek in 2020 into a deeply broken, mistrustful culture where people initially weren’t glad he was there.
- He faced COVID shutdowns, severe financial bleeding, and an oversized staff that required painful right-sizing.
Stabilize Finances Before Rebuilding
- Prioritize earning trust before sweeping change, but act quickly if finances force your hand.
- Right-size staff and budget first, then rebuild health and staff culture once core costs are sustainable.
Two Nights That Cut Deep
- Tim recounts two nights of intense congregational anger during Willow's squeeze that left lasting wounds.
- He initially tried loving presence but later processed the deep emotional sting through therapy and time.
