Being second isn’t about being secondary but about being strategic.
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Ask most pastors about their career aspirations, and you’ll likely hear familiar themes: lead a thriving congregation, preach life-changing sermons, cast a vision that transforms communities. Yet in churches around the world, some of the most profound kingdom influence comes not from those standing in the spotlight but from those serving in the shadows. The role of associate pastor—often viewed as a transitional position to “real” leadership—may be the strategic key to unlocking a church’s true potential.
Those of us who serve as associate pastors occupy a unique and strategically vital position in church leadership—one that requires strength and humility, wisdom and submission. The art of being “second” isn’t merely about accepting a subordinate role; it’s about embracing a divine calling that, when executed well, multiplies the effectiveness of our churches’ leadership teams.
