Pastors don’t like to admit it, but many harbor fears. This is particularly true of those who serve alone — solo pastors.

There are seven fears that serve to undermine good leadership. Which of the following do you identify in your own life?

Fear of Failure

Not wanting to fail is the most common type of fear among pastors. At least it’s the most talked about. Pastors are lightning rods for criticism. Everything — including failure — is placed at their feet. Such fear keeps pastors from attempting to lead a church forward. If they start something new — and it doesn’t work — they’ll be seen as failures. If the church doesn’t show some growth, they’ll be seen as failures among their peers.

Fear of Success

This fear is a difficult one to see and assess. Don’t all pastors desire success? Well, yes and no. Pastors are prone to dismiss the idea of success, instead inserting the word faithful, like in, “I’m called to be faithful not successful.” Yet, faithfulness implies success, i.e., success at being faithful. If God calls pastors to be faithful, and they are faithful, then aren’t they successful?

Fear of Discovery

Pastors fear people will find out they’re not as strong in prayer, evangelism or as deeply spiritual as they may appear. It’s the fear of being found out. This fear stops them from disciple-making because they fear getting close to others who will see them for what they really are. Likewise, it keeps them from sharing ministry with others.

Fear of not Measuring Up

Pastors are by nature susceptible to overcommitment. The churches they serve take advantage of them, sort of run them into the ground, due to this trait. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that pastors put unreasonable expectations upon themselves.

Fear of Comparison

Pastors admit to a great fear of being compared to the pastors of larger churches. Any mention of another pastor’s preaching ability, available programs in other churches or dynami