Beyond the Church – S2E7: What’s the Role of Church Leaders?

Hot Topic: How do we deal with church transition and change?

Church leaders shape culture, discipleship, and day-to-day faith—but what exactly is their role? In this episode, Pam Clark, Kerry A. Clark, and Jessica Anderson dig into Scripture and real life to unpack what healthy leadership looks like, why we sometimes put pastors on pedestals, and how to recognize leaders as gifts designed to equip us—not replace God in our lives.

Then we shift to the Hot Topic: church transition. From pastoral changes to shifting models (multi-site, campus pastors, online), how do you process big changes without losing heart—or your footing? We talk maturity, unity, love over gossip, and practical ways to move forward when things feel uncertain.

What you’ll hear

• Defining the role: Shepherds who equip, oversee, and model—not lords over people. (1 Peter 5:2 NKJV)
• The gift list: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—given to build maturity and unity. (Ephesians 4:11–16)
• Avoiding unhealthy esteem: Honoring leaders without idolizing them or demanding flawlessness.
• Growing up in faith: Becoming stable, discerning, and loving—even when teaching trends shift.
• Hot Topic—Change & transition: Seeing change through God’s “new thing” lens, loving the “change agents,” and deciding when to stay, serve, or move.

Key moments (no spoilers)

• Welcome & setup: why this conversation matters for everyday believers
• Scriptures that shape healthy expectations for leaders
• Real-life stories: reverends, campus pastors, and being “equipped”
• Unhealthy vs. healthy honor
• Hot Topic: navigating church transition without losing your joy
• Action step for the week

Scripture references

• 1 Peter 5:2-3 NKJV — Shepherd the flock… willingly, eagerly, by example.
• Ephesians 4:11–16 NLT — Gifts to equip the church into unity and maturity.
• Isaiah 43:19 ESV — “Behold, I am doing a new thing…” (applied to navigating change).

This week’s action step

Find and help someone who’s “lost”—not salvation-lost, but discouraged, off-track, or low on motivation. Lend your strength and help them get back to being who God made them to be.

Join the conversation

Do you think your church’s leaders are equipping you for your God-given work? How have you handled a big transition at church? Drop your thoughts below—let’s learn from each other.

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe | 🔗 Share with a friend who’s processing church change.

About the show

Beyond-the-Church helps you live your faith in real life—at home, at work, and yes, at church—by thinking higher and going deeper.

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