When Growth Gets Messy: Hold Fast to Christ, Lean on One Another
Every nonprofit leader feels it—the relentless pressure to grow. More staff. More money. More impact.
By David Sena | BoldLeading.com
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body….”
Every nonprofit leader feels it—the relentless pressure to grow.
More staff. More money. More impact.
Our world measures growth with numbers, charts, and metrics. And yes, fundraising strategy, leadership structures, and nonprofit best practices all matter. But they aren’t the whole story. Scripture reminds us there’s a deeper, truer kind of growth that every Gospel-centered leader must pursue.
The Biblical Picture of Growth
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:16,
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
And in Colossians 2:19,
“…holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.”
Here’s the tension:
Ephesians emphasizes our responsibility—each part doing its share.
Colossians emphasizes God’s sovereignty—God giving the growth.
Together they give us a balanced picture: Christ is the source, the body does its part, and all growth is ultimately God’s gift.
The Holy Mess of Leadership
If you’ve led long enough, you know it: growth is messy.
Leaders growing in relation to God. Leaders growing in relation to their teams. Teams growing in relation to one another.
Growth is often a holy mess.
It’s imperfect, yet sacred.
And central to it all are the “one anothers” of Scripture:
Love one another.
Encourage one another.
Bear one another’s burdens.
Forgive one another.
Pray for one another.
This is the connective tissue—the “joints and ligaments” Paul describes—that allows the body to grow.
Rethinking Metrics
Most nonprofit boards and fundraising leadership teams measure growth by budgets, donations, donors, prospects, and staff. Those metrics matter, but they don’t define the whole picture.
True growth looks like:
A leader more connected to Christ.
A team united in prayer and strategy.
A nonprofit community serving one another in humility and love.
This kind of growth will make your fundraising strategy stronger because it’s not rooted in pressure. True growth is rooted in partnership—with God and people.
Our Role: Faithful and Humble
As leaders, we’re called to believe God can and will use us. We must bring the best we have to offer—our leadership, our strategy, our fundraising skills.
But we’re also called to humility. To admit we need others. To confess we can’t do it all. To rely on Christ for the increase.
As Jesus said:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
And Proverbs reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Final Word
Leaders, growth is not simply about more—more money, more staff, more programs.
Growth is about deeper—deeper dependence on Christ, deeper love for one another, deeper trust in God’s provision.
That’s the kind of growth that strengthens nonprofit fundraising strategy, fuels healthy leadership, and leaves a legacy that lasts.
Hold fast to the Head.
Honor the one anothers.
Do your part faithfully.
And then trust God for the increase.
Call to Action
Share this article with your board, staff, or leadership team as a reminder that lasting growth flows from Christ and through every member of the body.
If you’d like to explore how this applies to your nonprofit’s fundraising leadership or strategy, reach out to me anytime at dave@boldleading.com.
About Bold Leading
At Bold Leading, we help faith-based nonprofits grow with clarity, strategy, and Christ-centered confidence. Whether it’s fundraising leadership, board development, or nonprofit strategy, our heart is to equip leaders to serve faithfully and grow their Kingdom impact.
Contact: dave@boldleading.com
Visit: BoldLeading.com
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33