Looking Inward to Discover Who I Am as a Christian Leader

S.E. Fairbanks
Anchored In Christ
Published in
3 min readMay 14, 2024

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Waiting on the Lord as we seek a new ministry opportunity

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Waiting on the Lord isn’t always easy. It requires patience, trust, hope, and prayer. Over the past few months, after ending my ministry in the place I’d been for almost two years, I’ve been waiting on the Lord, trying to discern what is next for our family.

My wife and I had a couple of interviews with a church an hour from our home, but in the end, that opportunity didn’t work out. It’s tempting to be disappointed. It never feels good not to be chosen, but I feel like, in that situation, it was for the best. It seemed likely that we were not what they were looking for.

I learned a lot in that process, however, including spending some time in introspection—reflecting on who I am as a person, a pastor, and a follower of Jesus Christ. One thing I did during this time was to make a list of some of the key attributes I see in myself as a pastor and teacher.

I am…

…a collaborative leader — seeking input, working together, and striving for consensus. This is both my personality and a remnant of nearly 20 years living in Asia, where consensus is key.

…a delegating leader — seeking to equip and empower every believer to actively serve according to their gifts. This is…

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S.E. Fairbanks
Anchored In Christ

If I must err, let it be in the direction of love. I am a man in process of being perfected in love and growing in Christlikenes. DoEverythingInLove.com