Inattention to Results: Keeping Your Ministry Focused on What Matters

What does it mean for a ministry team to be successful? In this episode, Brenda Leavenworth and Kelly Bell wrap up their series on Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by exploring the fifth dysfunction: Inattention to Results.

Inattention to results happens when personal agendas, individual recognition, or departmental priorities overshadow the mission of the team. In ministry, it can look like a lot of activity without meaningful spiritual fruit. We can become so busy doing good things that we lose sight of what God has actually called us to accomplish.

Brenda and Kelly discuss the importance of keeping the ministry’s mission in view, evaluating whether activities are producing fruit, placing people where their gifts can flourish, and having honest conversations that lead to meaningful improvement. They also challenge leaders to examine their own example and ask whether they are leading in a way others would want to follow.

In This Episode

• What the dysfunction of inattention to results looks like in a church or ministry setting
• Why personal agendas and individual ministries can undermine team unity
• The importance of regularly returning to your ministry’s “North Star”
• Balancing the urgent needs of ministry with strategic vision
• Knowing when it is time to stop, change, or hand off a ministry activity
• Why attendance and activity are not necessarily signs of spiritual transformation
• Recognizing people's gifts and putting them in the right ministry roles
• Making feedback constructive by bringing possible solutions
• Why leaders must model the behavior and commitment they expect from their teams
• Three questions every ministry team should ask to evaluate its effectiveness

Key Takeaways

• Keep the mission in front of your team. Without a clearly communicated finish line, people can work hard while moving in different directions.
• Measure fruit, not just activity. A full calendar and strong attendance do not automatically mean spiritual transformation is happening.
• Make room for the right people in the right roles. Take time to understand people's natural abilities and spiritual gifts rather than simply filling volunteer positions.
• Be willing to make difficult decisions. Sometimes faithful leadership means ending or handing off a good ministry so the team can focus on what matters most.
• Make feedback constructive. Healthy accountability includes honest conversations and practical solutions.
• Lead by example. Before becoming discouraged with your team, ask whether you are modeling the leadership you want to see.

A Word for Ministry Leaders

Ask your team these three questions this week:

1. What does winning look like for us right now?
2. What results actually matter most?
3. What are we doing that feels good but isn't producing fruit?

Be willing to listen honestly to the answers. Sometimes the next faithful step is not adding another activity, but pruning something that is keeping your team from its mission.

As Brenda shares, “Leaders who won't prune will eventually preside over decline.”

Scripture References

• John 15:2 — The Father prunes fruitful branches so they may bear more fruit.
• 1 Corinthians 12 — The body of Christ and the importance of every member serving as part of one body.

About the Guests

Brenda Leavenworth — Host of When She Serves, a podcast offering thoughtful conversations that encourage and equip women who serve Christ and seek to lead well.

Kelly Bell — Joins Brenda for this conversation about healthy ministry teams, leadership, and keeping the mission in focus.

Resources & Links

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
• When She Serves — Podcast

Connect with When She Serves

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Keep serving Christ and leading well!