This blog is based on a powerful and deeply personal conversation from the Flourishing Culture Leadership Podcast with Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr., PhD, DMin, Senior Pastor of New Life in Christ Church in O’Fallon, Illinois. With a background that includes more than two decades of military service as an Air Force chaplain, retiring as a lieutenant colonel, and the current leadership of a thriving church-community partnership, Bishop Dudley brings a unique perspective to the challenges Christian leaders face—and how they can lead well through life’s inevitable storms.
Bishop Dudley’s military background informs much of his leadership philosophy. He draws a compelling parallel between military readiness and spiritual preparedness, emphasizing the importance of regiment, routine, and consistency. He encourages leaders to intentionally build spiritual “muscle memory” through daily practices like prayer, devotion, and self-reflection before challenges arise. As he shared, “Storms are inevitable, but preparation is intentional.”
During a major challenge involving a bank backing out of a loan during a church construction project, Bishop Dudley bore the burden alone—until the pressure became overwhelming. His story highlights how isolation in leadership can be dangerous. It wasn’t until he vulnerably shared the struggle with his senior team that healing and support arrived.
In an emotional moment, his team responded not with judgment, but solidarity: “Don’t do that again. We’re here for you.” That vulnerability transformed the team, drawing them together in unity. As Bishop Dudley reflected, “There was an extreme amount of pressure… and their level of concern and care about the ministry and my family was touching.”
In a moment of raw honesty, Bishop Dudley shared how his darkest moment as a leader brought him to the brink of suicide. Believing death might solve the problem his leadership couldn’t, he stood at a dangerous crossroads. It was a conversation with his executive coach that changed everything.
“He said, ‘If you do this, you’ll never know how God was going to bring you out.’” That sentence became a turning point—a divine interruption that brought clarity and hope.
This moment underscores the importance of coaching, counseling, and relational support for leaders. He urges Christian leaders to normalize caring for their mental health and to recognize that the storms of ministry are not meant to be faced alone.
Bishop Dudley also offered practical signs of declining mental health that leaders should watch for in themselves: disrupted sleep, fatigue, overeating (especially sweets in his case), or irritability. “Know thyself,” he said, quoting both scripture and military wisdom. “Self-reflection and honesty are key to noticing when you’re not in a good place.”
He emphasized Paul’s call to “examine yourselves” as a discipline that helps leaders stay grounded in reality, health, and grace.
One of the most touching parts of the conversation came when Bishop Dudley described the toll ministry can take on marriage and family. While he always sought to protect his children from unrealistic expectations, he acknowledged that his marriage sometimes took a back seat.
“If I had to replay,” he admitted, “I would take longer vacations. I would take more time.”
He urged leaders to ask themselves: Is ministry pulling from your family or adding to it? A sobering but necessary question for any Christian leader.
Leadership is not only about execution—it’s about relationships. That’s something Bishop Dudley has come to learn more fully over time. In raising up the next generation of leaders, including his own children now back on staff, he’s discovered the value of coffee chats, laughter, and shared life.
His intentionality in forming a focus group of emerging leaders—beginning with relational investment rather than just task assignment—marks a shift in his leadership style. It’s a reminder that building trust precedes developing leadership potential.
When asked for a final takeaway, Bishop Dudley said this:
“Look straight through the vulnerability, the suicidal thoughts, the transparency—and see the glory of God, the faithfulness of God. God has to strip every leader down to the place where they trust Him and Him alone.”
That’s the message of Bishop Dudley’s life and leadership: storms are inevitable, but God is faithful. Through prayer, preparation, vulnerability, relationships, and support, leaders can not only survive the storms—they can lead others through them into God’s glorious purposes.
If you’re a Christian leader navigating challenges in ministry, take a step toward health and support today. Reflect on your own warning signs. Lean into trusted relationships. Seek professional help when needed. And remember—you don’t have to face the storm alone.
You can learn more about Bishop Dudley’s story in his book Leading Through the Storms, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
And don’t miss this powerful episode of the Flourishing Culture Leadership Podcast—a lifeline of hope and wisdom for leaders like you.