The Way of the Dragon, the Way of the Lamb

In his insightful post “8 Signs You’re Following the Way of the Dragon Rather Than the Way of the Lamb,” J. D. Greear highlights a growing temptation in ministry: leaning into power, success, and self-promotion—a path he calls the “way of the dragon.” Drawing on the work of Goggin and Strobel, Greear warns that when pastors begin craving recognition, viewing other leaders with jealousy, or narrowing their focus to big projects at the expense of personal care, they risk straying from Christ’s model of humble, sacrificial leadership Biola UniversityAmazon+5Biola University+5Biola University+5.

Greear outlines several specific indicators that signal this unhealthy shift: envying others’ accomplishments, resenting that your own efforts go unnoticed, neglecting the small opportunities to serve, distancing yourself from your flock, and isolating instead of finding peer accountability . Each warning emphasizes how easy it is for good intentions to tip into self-serving agendas, distracting pastors from the relational and spiritual core of their calling.

His counsel is clear: real pastoral power isn’t about visibility or control, but about living in weakness and vulnerability—modeling love rooted in humility. Greear urges leaders to intentionally nurture community with peers, stay tethered to their people, celebrate small wins, and regularly examine their hearts for pride. For ministry rooted in Christ’s example, pastors must walk the path of the lamb, not chase the dragon. Read the full article here: “8 Signs You’re Following the Way of the Dragon Rather Than the Way of the Lamb”.