EDITORIAL: HEALTHY LEADERS START AT HOME
Raise the Future | Rob Hoskins
The longer I lead and serve in ministry, the more I’m convinced of this simple truth: Healthy churches are built on healthy homes. In the same way, healthy leaders don’t start by leading from platforms; they start by leading their families well.
If the home is fractured, the ministry eventually will feel its cracks. A leader’s greatest credibility doesn’t come from a pulpit, but instead from living out the gospel consistently with the people who know them best.
That’s why I believe a church leader’s first organization is their family. Their first discipleship group must be their children. The most important sermon they ever will preach may be through a quiet act of forgiveness, an apology or a prayer whispered over their household.
At OneHope, our global research consistently confirms that the most influential spiritual voice in a child’s life is still their parent, not a pastor, teacher or influencer. That means the health of the home directly fuels the health of the church.
Healthy leadership starts with protecting family rhythms, modeling humility and prioritizing discipleship at home. It’s small, sacred choices like being fully present at the dinner table, guarding Sabbath rest or listening without distraction that will set the spiritual tone for both the family and the congregation.
One of the best examples I have seen of this is Craig Groeschel, founder and senior pastor of Life.Church. In a recent conversation, he reminded me that leadership is not just about vision casting or strategic planning; it’s about intentionally shaping the spiritual atmosphere in your own family.
Craig and his wife Amy have built their home on consistent values, authentic discipleship, and love grounded in God’s Word. That foundation has produced not just a thriving church, but a legacy of faith in their six children. In fact, Craig often tells new staffers that their families should grow stronger—not weaker—because of their role on the team. That’s a kingdom-minded commitment, and it’s one we need more of across the body of Christ.
We can build impressive churches and ministries while unintentionally neglecting our families. I’ve met far too many leaders who have thriving platforms and withering marriages. Or a dynamic stage presence and disconnected kids. I say this not to bring shame, but to bring us back to reality. No amount of public fruit can excuse private neglect.
A healthy church isn’t just a well-run Sunday service—it is a community of spiritually growing families. Strong leadership does not start in boardrooms; it begins at the kitchen table. The boundaries that protect time for your spouse. The modeling of what it looks like to follow Jesus to those in your home first, not just preaching about Jesus to your congregation.
That’s a wake-up call and an invitation. As the church, we’ve spent decades training pastors, designing curriculum and deploying digital outreach tools. But if we don’t equip parents to lead their homes spiritually, we’re missing the heart of discipleship.
The church must recover the centrality of the home. And leaders must model what it means to nurture it. When we get the home right, the church doesn’t just grow in size, it grows in strength, depth and generational impact.