Lasting ministry isn’t built by going faster—it’s built by abiding deeper.

Mark and Erica get practical about the dangers of leading at a breakneck pace—hero-complex, thin defenses against sin, and drifting into “man’s wisdom” over God’s. They unpack how prayer, Scripture, and Sabbath keep leaders grounded, how to disciple a team into healthy rhythms, and why slowing down actually increases trust in God. Expect honest stories, biblical guardrails, and simple, repeatable practices for a rest-first leadership culture.

📋 Key Takeaways

Impress vs. Impact: You can impress from a distance, but you impact up close—healthy leaders model rest and dependence, not nonstop hustle (cf. John 15:5).
Hero-Mode is Hazardous: When pace rises, defenses thin and temptation spikes; accountability and humility are non-negotiables (1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:19).
Man’s Wisdom Autopilot: Competence and knowledge are good, but dependence is better; without abiding, our “wins” don’t last (2 Pet. 1:4–7; 1 Cor. 13:1).
Rested = Smart & Strong: Sabbath, time off after big pushes, and “camp time” seasons form a culture where creativity, discernment, and holiness thrive (Gen. 2:2–3; Mark 2:27).
Only Do What Only You Can Do: Early leaders should explore broadly, then narrow to the two or three God-assignments—and build a home team that frees you to do them (Acts 6:2–4; 1 Cor. 12).

💬 Quotes & Soundbites

"You can impress people from a distance, but you can only impact them up close." (01:11) - Dr. Carter quoted Rick Warren while explaining that if leaders truly wanted to impact people, they needed to model a healthy, sustainable pace rather than just appearing tireless.

"The moment that I think that I am sufficient with my wisdom, I've already jacked it up." (04:59) - This was his direct response when asked about the difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom, emphasizing that self-sufficiency was an immediate failure.

"You can't bear more fruit than you have roots." [11:35]

"Relying on God to do it teaches you that he does it." [31:24]

🕐 Timestamps

0:00 – Intro + why Part 2 matters
1:11 – The hero temptation & why pace thins your defenses
3:10 – Humble leadership: play the long game
5:00 – “Man’s wisdom” vs. God’s wisdom; posture of dependence
9:30 – What hurry does to prayer & Scripture (lean, perfunctory)
11:25 – Abide in Christ for fruit that lasts (John 15)
13:20 – Long-term fallout: sin, lack of accountability, church hurt
16:20 – Early warning signs: stress, mis-ordered loves (politics/hobbies)
18:05 – Leadership wins when you name busyness and slow down
19:30 – Discipling your team into rest rhythms; staff “camp time”
22:10 – “The rested are smart and strong” culture
23:10 – “Only do what only you can do” (young leaders → narrowing focus)
24:58 – Build your home team & align family around God’s call
31:05 – Slowing down increases trust: God really does the work
31:55 – Close: God gives the growth (1 Cor. 3:6–7)

📖 Scripture Tie-Ins

John 15:5 – “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
2 Peter 1:4–7 – Add to your faith… knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness.
1 Corinthians 1:19 – God frustrates the wisdom of the wise.
1 Corinthians 13:1 – Without love, noise not impact.
1 Kings 19:11–13 – God’s voice in the gentle whisper, not the frenzy.
Matthew 6:33; Philippians 1:6 – Seek first; He completes the work.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7 – We plant and water; God gives the growth.

🛠️ Next Steps for Listeners

Do / Reflect / Pray

Sabbath this week. Pick a 24-hour window to stop, delight, and worship. Guard it like a meeting with Jesus.
Audit your pace. Circle the top two things only you can do; delegate or delay the rest for 30 days.
Dependence rhythm. Pray daily: “Jesus, I renounce self-sufficiency. I choose to abide and receive Your wisdom today.”
Early warning check -

Where am I stressed and not offloading to Jesus?
What “good things” (politics, hobbies, projects) are crowding first love?
Who are my five smooth stones (people God’s given me for the long game)?

Team practice. If you lead others, schedule a post-push slow week (“camp time”) and publicly celebrate Sabbath stories.

Suggested follow-ups & resources

Part 1: Breakneck Pace (previous episode) for the backstory and warnings.
Rule of Life template (create your daily/weekly rhythms).
Books: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (Comer), Leading on Empty (Cordeiro).
Bible Reading Plan: John 14–17 (abiding & the Spirit).

#61 Breakneck Pace, Part 2 | Too Fast to Hear