Slow + Sacred: Confessions of a Type A Person Learning to Slow Down
The Week of January 6th
Monday, January 6th
Yesterday was the first Sunday of the year, and attendance was high. The energy in the room was undeniable, and for a moment, I felt the rush of seeing people show up and engage.
But then Monday came, and with it, the weight of a question I know too well: How do we keep this up?
As a Type A pastor, numbers can feel like both a scoreboard and a burden. High attendance feels like validation; lower attendance feels like failure. And the pressure to maintain a certain pace—to keep the momentum going—can quickly overshadow the work God called me to.
I know this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
Ministry isn’t about chasing numbers; it’s about shepherding souls. But our culture measures success in metrics, and as much as I fight it, I’m not immune to that pull.
A few weeks ago, I came across a podcast episode called Names Before Numbers: The Dramatic Shift Shepherds Must Make. It was like God preparing my heart for this moment. In the episode description, Peter Scazzero wrote something that felt both convicting and inspiring:
“The truth is, you can’t shepherd numbers. You can only shepherd names. And yet, in a culture obsessed with metrics, many leaders feel trapped, measuring success by attendance, budgets, and fast growth rather than the flourishing of the people God has entrusted to them.”
Slowing down in a world obsessed with speed is hard, but I’m learning God’s pace isn’t mine.
He isn’t impressed by my hustle. And He isn’t dependent on my ability to keep up.
Yesterday’s attendance was a gift. But today, I’m reminding myself that the real work isn’t in keeping the numbers high—it’s in staying faithful, no matter the numbers.
For me, that starts with slowing down, letting go of the pressure to produce, and trusting that God is the one building His church.
Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to listen to “Build Your Church” by Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music on repeat until it sinks in.
Sean