Leading Well | For the Leader Who Feels Out of Ideas

I’ve been there. Wanting—needing—an idea, but nothing clicks. Everything feels flat. Even the thought of planning something new feels overwhelming.

If that describes where you are right now, please know this: you’re not alone, and this is not the end of your leadership journey.

Every leader goes through seasons that feel dry or directionless. But there is hope.

Here are four intentional steps to help you (and your team) rediscover purpose and cultivate fresh, powerful ideas.

1. Create Space.

Yes, the first step is to pause. Step back from the pressure to produce and simply make room in your life to be still.

• Take a walk.
• Watch a sunrise or sunset.
• Disconnect from social media.
• Most importantly, spend intentional time with the Lord.

It may sound simple, but it’s incredibly powerful. When we stop striving and start abiding, vision begins to flow again.

Use this time not to plan, but to connect.

Read Scripture. Pray. Sing. Journal.

Avoid the urge to “figure it all out.” This isn’t about fixing something—it’s about refreshing your soul and remembering that God is your source. Take time to rest and recharge in His presence.

2. Invite Others into the Process.

Here’s some good news: you don’t have to come up with all the ideas yourself. Ministry was never meant to be a solo endeavor. Lean into collaboration.

• Turn to your team and ask for help.
• If they’re stuck too, reach out to trusted voices in your church or community.
• Host a creative brainstorming session.

At Lifeway, we regularly hold creative brainstorming sessions with people across our organization. Here’s how it works:

1. A leader calls a meeting and defines the topic(s).
2. Team members from across the organization gather. We split into groups of five to six people.
3. Each group has ten minutes to generate every idea possible about the assigned topic(s).
4. Ideas are logged into a spreadsheet—no judgment or filtering.
5. Then we go back and rank the ideas.

The result? A long list of fresh, diverse ideas we can evaluate and potentially implement.

You don’t need all the answers. You just need to open the door for creative input.

3. Look Back and Remember

One of the most overlooked sources of inspiration is your own past.

Reflect on what’s worked before:

• What ministry efforts had a real kingdom impact?
• What strategies connected with your people?
• Can those ideas be reimagined for today?

If something has met a need in the past, chances are it can again— with a little creativity. Don’t just recycle the old. Refresh and build on it.

This approach honors what God has done before while opening the door for Him to do something new.

4. Look Ahead with Fresh Eyes.

This one’s for the dreamers—and even for those of us who tend to think “inside the box.”

Ask yourself (and your team):

“What have we never done before but always wanted to try?”

Don’t worry about logistics yet. Don’t overthink the details.

Just dream.

Let your team imagine freely. Capture the ideas. Then later, identify one or two that are worth refining and evaluating.

Fresh vision often begins with a question—and the courage to explore it.

A Final Encouragement

I’m so thankful that ministry planning doesn’t have to start with a fully developed strategy.
It can begin with stillness before the Lord.

Then, step by step:

• Invite others in.
• Reflect on what’s worked.
• Dream about what could be.

If you feel like you’re out of ideas, these four steps can help you rediscover not just creativity—but vision, purpose, and joy in the work God has called you to do.

ABOUT ANDREA LENNON