Failure to Launch: A Call to Christian Leaders

Table of Contents

• Failure to Launch: A Call to Christian Leaders
  • The Newer Leaders
  • The Experienced Leaders
  • Biblical Examples of Failure to Launch
  • Lessons From My Journey
  • The Cost of Disobedience
  • Encouragement for Leaders
  • Next Steps
• FAQs

Failure to Launch: A Call to Christian Leaders

Failure to Launch: A Call to Christian Leaders

I felt an undeniable tug when the Lord laid it on my heart to return to my original message. He reminded me who He had called me to serve: Christian leaders. Reflecting on my private practice's early days, I realized that most of my clients were men and women of God—prophets and individuals with prophetic gifting at various stages of their walk. While they were undeniably anointed and gifted, they struggled in many areas. These were individuals experiencing a failure to launch into their God-given assignments due to challenges like trauma, anxiety, depression, poor boundaries, and a lack of assertiveness.

My role wasn’t to grow their gifts but to draw them closer to God through scripture while helping them heal mentally and emotionally.

Over the years, I have created and built many different resources and programs. But a few months ago, I began feeling the pull to return to the heart of my original calling: empowering Christian leaders to heal on purpose for their purpose. During a prayer session with my sister, the Lord confirmed this assignment and gave me clarity on a message.

This concept of failure to launch deeply resonated with me, as I know firsthand how fear, doubt, and a need for validation can prevent leaders from stepping into their assignments. I realized there are two groups of people struggling with this issue.

The Newer Leaders

The first group includes newer leaders whom God is calling to specific assignments. They experience a failure to launch due to fear of failure, rejection, or uncertainty about their qualifications. Some lack accountability and community, while others find their faith isn’t strong enough to take the next step. Many of these individuals are called to marketplace ministry, while others are called to the traditional four walls of the church.

When God first called me to ministry online in 2018, no one told me to start—it was God. However, I struggled with rejection and backed away from the calling. I returned in 2020, but I wasn’t fully committed even then. God, in His grace, kept tugging at me. He sent me to a conference, where I received impartation and was thrust into another level of obedience.

The Experienced Leaders

The second group includes seasoned leaders who are already in ministry but cannot launch into the next phase of their calling. God is trying to take them from glory to glory and faith to faith, but fear, doubt, and comfort in their current position hold them back. I’ve seen leaders hesitate because they don’t feel qualified or because they compare themselves to others.

Comparison is a thief of purpose. I’ve wrestled with this, but God reminded me to flow at His pace, allowing Him to do something unique in me rather than copying someone else. Breaking free from the need for external validation was pivotal. Failure to launch often stems from placing more value on others’ opinions than God’s voice.

Biblical Examples of Failure to Launch

Scripture gives us examples of leaders who experienced delays or setbacks because of their disobedience or lack of faith:

1. Jonah resisted God’s call to preach in Nineveh and fled, resulting in a storm that endangered others. His disobedience was a clear example of a failure to launch (Jonah 1:12-15).
2. Saul, the first king of Israel, disobeyed God’s commands, leading to delays in his leadership and God rejecting him as king (1 Samuel 13:8-14).
3. despite God’s promises, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their lack of faith and rebellion, a tragic failure to launch into the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-35).
4. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, doubted God’s promise and was struck mute due to his disbelief (Luke 1:18-20).

Each figure teaches us that failure to launch can hinder our journey and those connected to our obedience.

Lessons From My Journey

I’ve learned that many Christian leaders fail to launch because they wait for validation from people rather than seeking direction from God. I’ve also realized that some things are reserved for God alone. He desires intimacy with us; through that relationship, He equips and qualifies us.

When my husband and I relocated to Georgia, I was terrified of not having a church home. A wise woman of God repeatedly told me, “Seek God, not the church.” I didn’t fully understand at the time, but now I see the truth in those words. Sometimes, God isolates us to heal, build our faith, and prepare us for what’s next.

Obedience hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve repeatedly seen God’s faithfulness. He has reminded me of His word, promises, and rescue during my darkest moments. Having done the work and submitted to the process, I feel called to help other leaders overcome their failure to launch.

The Cost of Disobedience

Ultimately, failure to launch is disobedience, which comes at a cost. It delays God’s plans for our lives and can negatively impact those He has called us to serve. I had to learn that pleasing God was more important than pleasing people. There will always be critics, but their opinions pale compared to God’s validation.

Encouragement for Leaders

If you’re experiencing a failure to launch, know that God equips the called. He doesn’t expect perfection but obedience. Trust His timing, process, and ability to qualify you for the assignment. Reflect on Hebrews 13:20-21:

“Now the God of peace… make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever.”

Christian leader, your story is relevant, your ministry is needed, and your obedience matters. Don’t let fear, doubt, or comparison keep you from pursuing your God-ordained purpose.

Next Steps

I invite you to join our email community specifically for Christian Leaders HERE.  Let’s heal on purpose, for God’s purpose. The time to launch is now.