The Long Game: Why Faithful Leadership Is More Marathon Than Sprint

In a world driven by quick results, instant updates, and fast turnarounds, leadership often gets framed as a race to the next big milestone. We chase progress reports, we rush to implement plans, and we celebrate those who make big things happen fast.

But when it comes to leadership within churches and other community-centered organizations, speed isn’t always the right measure. In fact, some of the most meaningful, lasting leadership unfolds not in bursts but in long, steady strides. It is not a sprint. It is a marathon.

This kind of leadership requires patience, discipline, and a deep understanding that transformation, whether personal, organizational, or spiritual, takes time. It requires a long view and a steady hand. It also asks leaders to stay present through seasons of growth, challenge, rest, and renewal.

Leadership That Lasts Doesn’t Rush

One of the biggest myths in leadership is that progress has to be fast in order to be valuable. We live in a culture that rewards urgency. There is pressure to act quickly, to fix things immediately, and to produce results that are easy to measure.

But faithful leadership often requires the opposite. It asks for consistency. It asks for time to listen, time to build relationships, and time to develop trust. It means planting seeds you may not get to see fully bloom.

Preston Cherouny, former Chief Operating Officer of St. John’s Church, puts it this way: “When you’ve been around a faith community long enough, you realize that the most important work usually happens behind the scenes and over time. You show up day after day, you listen, you care for people, and you build something steady. It’s not dramatic, but it lasts.”

That quiet, steady presence becomes the foundation for everything else. It is what gives communities the space to grow safely and honestly.

Trust Is Built in Small Moments

In any leadership setting, trust is essential. But trust is not built in a single conversation or a one-time success. It is built over time through small, consistent actions. People learn they can rely on you not because of a title but because you keep showing up. You follow through. You listen. You stay calm when things are uncertain.

When leaders rush to prove themselves, they sometimes miss the very thing people need most, reliability. Faithful leadership means understanding that credibility is not earned overnight. It grows with each interaction, each decision, each small step in the right direction.

In church life, this is especially important. People are not just looking for answers. They are looking for someone who will walk with them through seasons of change, doubt, and hope. They are looking for a leader who knows how to stay, not just start.

The Value of Deep Roots

Healthy communities are not built on quick wins. They are built on deep roots, a shared mission, clear values, and the slow but meaningful work of building relationships.

In a marathon, the early miles are important, but it is the middle and late miles where endurance is tested. That is where strategy, pace, and perseverance start to matter more than adrenaline. The same is true in leadership.

A faithful leader knows how to pace themselves. They do not exhaust their team chasing every new idea. They do not panic when progress slows. They focus on laying strong foundations. They take the time to understand history, honor tradition, and then move forward with purpose.

Preston Cherouny’s leadership at St. John’s is a reflection of this long-game approach. His role often involves the kinds of decisions and details that aren’t immediately visible. Whether it is balancing a budget, maintaining the church building, or listening to staff concerns, his leadership helps ensure that the church is ready not just for the next Sunday, but for the next season of its life.

Seasons Change. Leadership Stays.

One of the biggest challenges in leadership is navigating change. People come and go. Needs evolve. The culture shifts. And leaders are often looked to for stability in the midst of it all.

That is why long-term leadership matters so much. A leader who is present across multiple seasons, who sticks around through both celebration and struggle, helps communities feel safe. That presence says, “You are not alone.” It offers a kind of leadership that adapts without abandoning.

Faithful leaders do not disappear when things get hard. They do not rely on short-term enthusiasm. They understand that some of the most meaningful changes happen slowly, quietly, and through repeated acts of courage and care.

Celebrating the Long View

Leadership that lasts is not always celebrated in the moment. It is not usually flashy. But years down the line, people remember the leaders who were there when it counted. They remember who listened. Who stood by them. Who kept the lights on and the doors open. Who made room for new voices while holding onto what mattered most.

Those leaders may not be known for dramatic speeches or sudden transformations. But they are known for faithfulness.

And in faith-based communities especially, that kind of leadership reflects the very heart of the work, staying present, staying kind, and walking alongside others at the pace of grace.

Finishing Well

If leadership is a marathon, then one of the most important lessons is to finish well. That means knowing your limits. Taking care of your spirit. Delegating when needed. Trusting others to take the baton when your part of the race is complete.

Faithful leadership is not just about longevity. It is about the quality of presence you offer along the way. It is about the relationships you build and the way you carry the mission, not just for a moment, but for the long haul.

So whether you are early in your leadership journey or decades in, remember this: you don’t have to be fast. You just have to be faithful.

Take the long view. Pace yourself. Care deeply. And keep showing up.