October 28, 2025
In the last post, we looked at the anchors of kingdom leadership that keep us grounded in God’s design. But even with those anchors, there’s a deeper truth: without dependence on God, everything else unravels.
The Subtle Drift Toward Self-Reliance
No leader collapses overnight. Most drift happens slowly — a subtle shift from Spirit-led dependence to self-reliance. At first, it feels manageable. Sermons still get written, programs still run, people still show up. But beneath the surface, pride and exhaustion build until the foundation cracks.
Jesus as the Model
Even Jesus, the Good Shepherd, modeled dependence. He said, “I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me” (John 8:28). Again and again, He emphasized His reliance on the Father.
This dependence was not weakness — it was the source of His strength. If the Son of God chose to live in radical reliance on the Father, how much more must we as undershepherds embrace dependence?
This is a crucial part of biblical leadership. The world tells leaders to be self-sufficient. The kingdom tells us to be Spirit-sufficient.
Why Dependence Protects Us
Dependence guards us from two dangers:
Pride – believing we are the source of success.
Self-reliance – trusting in our own ability instead of God’s Spirit.
Both cut us off from the very power needed to shepherd well. By contrast, dependence opens us to strength, wisdom, and renewal that only God provides.
Spiritual Rhythms that Sustain Dependence
Dependence doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated through intentional spiritual rhythms:
Scripture – Not just study for sermons, but feeding on God’s Word for personal renewal.
Prayer – Not just intercession for others, but communion with the Father.
Rest – Sabbath as an act of trust, declaring, “God leads the church, not me.”
Solitude – Making space to listen, not just speak.
When leaders weave these rhythms into their lives, they create a reservoir of spiritual vitality. Without them, even the most gifted shepherds run dry.
Reflection for Leaders
Take a moment to consider:
Where in your leadership are you leaning on talent more than trust?
Which spiritual rhythm of dependence has slipped to the margins of your life?
Why This Matters for Your Team
This isn’t just personal — it’s cultural. A pastor’s dependence sets the tone for the whole staff. If leaders model busyness without abiding, the team will mirror it. But if leaders model rhythms of dependence, the culture shifts toward health, renewal, and faithfulness.
A Word of Encouragement
Dependence doesn’t mean doing less for God. It means leading from a place of abiding with Him. It’s the only way to lead for the long haul without burning out. Shepherd leaders who embrace dependence reflect the heart of the Great Shepherd, offering strength, safety, and care to the flock.
An Invitation
This post draws from themes in my book Kingdom over Culture: Restoring Biblical Leadership in a Secularized Church. If you’d like to go deeper, you can order the book here https://drmeredithjames.com/shop. I also offer workshops, staff trainings, and speaking engagements on shepherd leadership and other frameworks for kingdom leadership. To learn more or invite me to work with your team, connect with me here https://drmeredithjames.com.
