One question a lot of leaders ask is this: How do you have longevity in ministry?
Is it exceptional leadership skills? Mastering time management? Being a great communicator?
Those things matter—but without this one thing, nothing else matters.
That one thing is integrity.
At Life.Church, one of our core values is, “We will honor Christ and His Church with integrity. With integrity, nothing else matters. Without integrity, nothing else matters.”
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 NIV
So, What Is Integrity?
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. In a pastoral context, the question is: Are you the same person at church as you are outside of church?
Integrity is an essential part of ministry. Without it, marriages struggle, finances fall apart, relationships crumble, and ministry collapses.
However, with integrity, you walk securely in your relationship with Christ, you lead with authenticity, and your ministry has longevity. Integrity isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency between who you are in public and who you are in private.
The truth: You can have the best sermons, the biggest church, the most influence—but if you don’t have integrity, it all falls apart.
So how do you lead a life of integrity? Here are four essential practices.
1. Build Accountability
Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. Proverbs 24:6 NIV
You weren’t meant to do life alone. Surrounding yourself with others can help you live a life of integrity.
When you find trusted people, look for those who will ask you the hard questions. The questions that don’t feel great, the questions that challenge you. Give them permission to speak into your life.
These people can be a mentor, a coach, or a friend—someone you meet with regularly to share what’s going on in life.
Ask yourself: Do you have someone who has permission to call out the good and the bad?
2. Practice Radical Honesty
Stop hiding behind the mask of “I’m fine.” Be honest about your struggles, your doubts, your weaknesses. When you are honest with others, it builds trust. Hiding builds isolation.
When you are leading your team, admit when you don’t know how to solve a problem or when you make a mistake.
With your spouse, do not hide secrets. Be fully transparent with them about your life.
With yourself, be honest about what you are struggling with.
When you’re honest with the people around you about what’s happening in your life, it lifts the weight of trying to hide or pretend. Honesty is a key component of living a life of integrity.
3. Set Healthy Boundaries
Christine Caine says, “For your faith to drift, all you have to do is nothing.”
It’s easy for things to slip when we’re not intentional about protecting what matters most. That’s why boundaries aren’t restrictions—they’re guardrails that keep you on the path.
Where do you need boundaries?
With your time: Protect your Sabbath. Protect family time. Learn to say no. Don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry.
With your relationships: Avoid situations that could compromise your integrity. Having accountability in meetings, or being wise about who you spend time with.
With your finances: Live within your means. Be generous. Be above reproach. Your financial integrity speaks volumes.
With technology: What guardrails do you have for your phone, social media, and internet use?
Ask yourself: Where are you vulnerable? What boundaries do you need to set this week?
For more on creating habits that protect your integrity, check out this message from Pastor Craig Groeschel: A Matter of Integrity
4. Abide in Jesus
Integrity isn’t something you manufacture—it flows from intimacy with Christ. Jesus Himself was a man of perfect integrity, and only through the power of the Holy Spirit within us can we hope to live a life of integrity.
So, how is your time with Jesus?
The reality is that you can’t live with integrity in your own strength. You need Jesus. Make sure you have daily time with God that isn’t sermon prep. Get into God’s Word and pray this prayer from Psalm 139:
“Search me, God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
It is through abiding in Jesus that you will be able to live a life of integrity and experience the full, abundant life He wants for you.
Ask yourself: Are you abiding in Christ, or just working for Him?
With Integrity, Nothing Else Matters
When you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters. However, when you lead a life of integrity by building accountability, practicing honesty, setting healthy boundaries, and abiding in Jesus, nothing else matters.
Honoring Christ and His Church with integrity—that truly is the secret to longevity in ministry.
Ministry success without integrity is a house built on sand. But ministry with integrity—even if it’s small, even if it’s hard—honors God and stands firm.
What’s one step you can take this week to grow in your integrity?
Looking for resources on accountability and integrity?
Visit open.life.church for free tools designed to help you lead with integrity and honor Christ in every area of life.
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