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The Leadership Blind Spot No One Talks About | UPCI Youth President DJ Hill

  • 4 hours ago
  • 9 min read

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Many pastors and church leaders do not burn out because they lack passion or commitment. They burn out because their rhythm of life becomes unsustainable. In this episode, Ryan sits down with DJ Hill to talk about one of the most overlooked leadership blind spots in ministry: rhythm. Together, they explore how broken rhythms erode emotional awareness, increase reactivity, and strain both leadership and family life. DJ shares honest insights from leading in a demanding season of ministry while raising three young children, and offers practical wisdom on building a rhythm that can bend without breaking. This conversation is for leaders who want to stay emotionally present, spiritually grounded, and effective for the long haul.





Connect with DJ Hill:

His book: A Celebration of Creation: An Apostolic View of Identity and Gender - https://amzn.to/3LG4VXX (affiliate link)


Purchase Christian Leader Sight Planner (a tool that has drastically changed Ryan’s productivity): 

Black Cover – https://amzn.to/3JpBHvm 

Blue Cover – https://amzn.to/4ouFRB9 

Green Cover – https://amzn.to/4oXVLUr


Purchase The Christian Leader Blueprint book today: 


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Audio mastering by Apostolic Audio: 






Transcript


When I get home, am I giving more to my ministry or job or anything else than I'm giving to my family? Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast. I'm your host, Ryan Franklin, and I've been in pastoral leadership at the Pentecostals of Alexandria for over 20 years. I'm also an executive coach helping Christian leaders grow with clarity, confidence, and balance.


If you're leading in ministry or business, then you likely know just how easy it is to get scattered, lose your focus, and start feeling ineffective. I've definitely been there myself, and that's why I created the Christian Leader Self Assessment. It's free, and in just 10 minutes, it'll show you exactly how to gain clarity and confidence as a leader. Go to ryanfranklinklin.org or click the link in the description to take the assessment today.


And now, let's dive into today's episode. Welcome again to the Christian Leader Made Simple show. I'm your host Ryan Franklin, and today we're talking about one of the most overlooked leadership blind spots, especially in ministry: rhythm. Not productivity, not passion, but rhythm.


For a lot of pastors and church leaders, things don't just fall apart because they stop loving people or stop working hard. They fall apart because their rhythm of life becomes unsustainable. You're going to love my guest today—the UPCI National Youth President, the one and only DJ Hill.


DJ and I are close friends, so I happen to have a little bit of an inside view of his life. From my perspective, he's an incredible husband to Natalie and a father of three beautiful daughters. Before joining the national youth team in 2021, he served in the Georgia District Youth Ministries for five years and as the evangelism pastor at Atlanta West Pentecostal Church.


DJ is a graduate of Urshin College and Urschen Graduate School of Theology. He has also authored a book titled *A Celebration of an Apostolic View of Identity and Gender*, an important topic that he will tell you more about.


He carries a strong passion for soul winning, disciple making, and developing the next generation of apostolic leaders. With a young family and many demands from national youth work, DJ is navigating real ministry pressure in a difficult season of his life.


I asked him to come on today to talk about what he's doing to build a rhythm that can bend under these pressures without breaking—about staying emotionally present under pressure and recognizing those crazy blind spots before they actually cost you something at home or in leadership.


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DJ, I'm so glad you agreed to talk about something so sensitive today in your life. Welcome back to the show.


**DJ:** Oh, what an honor it is to be back with you, Brother Franklin Ryan. You're a dear friend of mine; my wife and I love you. I'm so thankful you were able to be at North American Youth Congress—that brought me great confidence. You and Angie and your kids have meant so much in my life. Many great things that have come out of my life these last few years stem from your specific relationship, leadership, and example. I honor you and am excited to be back on this podcast.


I regularly listen to voices like Brother Trimbles on media—I preached on media in the Atlantic District—so thank you for being a voice to leaders in the United Pentecostal Church movement and beyond. I honor you and am excited to be back on.


**Ryan:** Thank you, DJ—that means a ton. If you're okay with it, I'm going to call you what I always do: DJ instead of Brother Hill.


**DJ:** Yes sir!


**Ryan:** This past National Youth Congress was actually my first—I had never been before—and my goodness was it amazing! You and your executive team Jeremy and Kyle, your staff, all volunteers involved—it was one of the best conferences I've ever attended as far as experience goes. To be in a room with 36,000 Apostolic Christians is incredible—especially considering only 11 staff members put it on! We believe God honored our intentionality as an act of worship; He really showed up—it was special.


Before we get into questions, I want to mention that when I wrote my book—and even when I write other content or do podcasts—I have an avatar I'm writing toward: 29-year-old DJ Hill with one child working as an evangelism pastor at Atlanta West. You were my avatar as I wrote my book and recorded courses; it's relative for anyone but particularly geared toward young youth pastors or evangelism pastors in their late 20s or early 30s.


**DJ:** That absolutely touches older generations too but helps change direction for young leaders by putting thoughts in their heads that make them more productive leaders.


**Ryan:** You've done so well—you are successful by many definitions—but more importantly healthy because of our conversations. Your book floats around our general youth committee; your podcast is well respected among district youth presidents too.


For anyone listening who hasn't connected with me yet or this might be their first podcast episode with me: go back and listen! Partnering with me will multiply your talents exponentially—I know that from personal experience.


**DJ:** Amen!


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Let's dive deep: you're in a season many pastors are either currently experiencing or heading towards—not just positionally but personally—with three young daughters very active in ministry responsibilities all around you.


Looking back on these last few years: what leadership blind spots around rhythm or emotional health has this season exposed that maybe you didn't expect?


**DJ:** Great question! The biggest blind spot I've found—for myself and peers trying to grow rhythms while juggling young kids, ministries, responsibilities—is that work or talent alone does not solve it.


When you're young—in your early 20s—you think ambition will carry you through: stay up all night; throw all your gifts at it; work hard—that only gets you so far.


I love basketball as an analogy: practicing hard without good mechanics/rhythm doesn't make you better; it wears you out or causes unhealthy habits.


Coming out of Bible college entering evangelism then staff work at Atlanta West alongside marriage—I realized working hard alone doesn't make me better as a disciple of Jesus Christ, husband, father, or minister.


It's not “practice makes perfect,” but rather “perfect practice makes perfect.” Practicing golf swings won't improve basketball skills—you must practice what you're trying to get better at intentionally.


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You mentioned rhythm that bends without breaking—rhythm is never perfect; it must bend with circumstances. Tell me more about what’s going on in your head regarding this concept?


**DJ:** Sure! For example: when we moved here October 2020 with our first child coming soon—we were young with energy—calls came for preaching opportunities or youth rallies. On paper that looked good but living it out was different: daughter waking hourly feeding clusters meant exhaustion; traveling with baby meant no rest; hotel stays disrupted naps—no rest meant no full self.


On paper it seemed manageable—gone twice a month—but after preaching Sunday following general conference (our first) I told Natalie I'd never preach right after again—it was horrible!


Spiritual disciplines suffered too—my regiment before kids shot because Kyla demanded attention unpredictably; rigid schedules broke under reality.


Now I allow flexibility: if last night was miserable sleep-wise I'll push prayer time later instead of breaking rhythm; bending rhythm lets me adjust rather than break under pressure.


Looking ahead helps too: May prep for camp means preaching less so fasting/prayer/study can happen fresh before two weeks back-to-back camp June arrives; otherwise May feels normal but June breaks me!


So bending means not being rigid nor loose—finding balance per season prevents burnout relationally physically spiritually—which is vital for sustainable ministry leadership & family health.


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Thinking back on preaching Sunday after general conference when tired & depleted: how long did recovery take? What came out afterward that wasn’t ideal?


**DJ:** Monday/Tuesday after conference I was back answering hundreds emails pushing projects while exhausted—not able to think critically due lack rest/Sabbath recharge day; initially tried pushing through grit mentality which affected home life more than office demeanor—I didn’t give Natalie enough rest/social stamina space (she’s introverted) while I’m extroverted fueled by people/ministry activity;


She stayed home exhausted tending newborn plus music involvement; no real break for her led stress showing as poor communication & tension at home;


It took weeks recalibrating giving her needed time off & quality moments;


Principle we live by now: if she loses a day she wins week; loses week wins month; loses month wins year—we plan extra vacations & days off strategically balancing ministry demands;


If only I'd taken days off after general conference rather than jump straight into work/family would’ve avoided much strain;


That season taught me boundaries matter deeply between ministry & home rhythms;


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You mentioned social stamina differences between you & Natalie—how do those affect rhythms during high-demand seasons like general conference?


**DJ:** Exactly! Five days conference plus seven days setup/tear down require us communicating well about social stamina limits;


Instead of pushing her extrovert style onto her introverted needs we negotiate attendance times allowing her rest & family time (like coffee breaks alone);


We plan ahead discussing arrival/departure timing around meals/social events;


This flexibility lets us both function well without burning out each other despite differing social needs;


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How do you balance saying “no” without disappointing others?


**DJ:** Systematic approach helps:


- Put declined invitations into calendar noting requester


- Communicate honestly explaining bigger yes priorities (family/spiritual walk/prep)


- Offer alternative solutions like recommending other speakers


- Be clear boundaries exist but remain open later


This transparency builds respect even if disappointment arises;


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How do you maintain influence when stepping away intentionally during busy seasons?


**DJ:** Priority clarity builds respect because people see intentional stewardship over burnout;


Consistent communication about availability sets expectations;


Spending quality time when present maximizes impact;


People appreciate healthy boundaries allowing sustainable service;


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How do emotional load sharing & having a life team help avoid reactive burnout?


**DJ:** Marriage is mirror—the wife gives feedback—but burden can’t fall solely there;


Having trusted friends/mentors (life team) provides containment/validation/advice preventing emotional dumping on spouse alone;


Processing struggles outside home keeps marriage healthy;


Compartmentalizing isn’t possible—we bring whole selves everywhere—but sharing wisely avoids overflow negativity impacting family & ministry effectiveness;


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How do you discern between hard seasons needing endurance vs unhealthy rhythms needing course correction?


**DJ:** Use finance analogy:


- Hard seasons are like unexpected expenses (death/storms)—uncontrollable chaos


- Unhealthy rhythms come from poor stewardship/boundaries missing


Evaluate patterns consistently missing key priorities (date nights/prayer/exercise/family time);


Use honest feedback from life team/spouse for course correction signals;


Intentional swinging pendulum rhythms prevent chaotic burnout vs reactive disorder;


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What’s one prominent leadership blind spot regarding rhythm? One small adjustment leaders can make?


**DJ:** The biggest blind spot is openness to communication—can family speak truth about overload? Will leader receive it humbly?;


Small adjustment: create safe environment inviting honest feedback from spouse/friends without defensiveness—to hear relational nutrient wounds which are faithful though sometimes painful—and act accordingly ensuring family priority remains intact over work demands;


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Any final thoughts?


**DJ:** Talent/hard work alone won’t sustain healthy leadership/life balance—rhythm that bends without breaking does;


Treat time like finances—budget intentionally anticipating seasons needing more rest/prep/family focus versus full ministry engagement;


Control metronome consciously guided by God conviction & life team support building sustainable impactful leadership over long haul;


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Before we close: tell us about your book please!


**DJ:** *A Celebration of an Apostolic View of Identity and Gender* explores biblical foundations celebrating divine distinctions between men/women complementing each other—not competition but partnership impacting church/world/home profoundly;


Covers history/science/scripture articulating unique gifts men/women bring biologically/spiritually worth celebrating not criticizing nuances;


Available via Pentecostal Resources Group (PRG) website by searching title/author “DJ Hill”;


Find me on Instagram @djhill706rep or Facebook DJ Hill—I’d love connection & doing life together!


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Thank you so much DJ for joining us today! Your honesty & perspective are contagious—I truly appreciate your time on this show.


**DJ:** Thank you Ryan for friendship & being part of my life team helping develop this rhythm impacting my family/ministry deeply—it’s been vital not breaking under pressure!


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This wraps up our show today! My name is Ryan Franklin—thank you so much for joining us on the Christian Leader Made Simple show. God bless!an Franklin. All rights reserved.

 
 
 

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