The Hidden Mindsets Silently Ruining Most Christian Leaders (And How to Stop Them)
The Scorekeeper’s Search for True Worth
Line up at center ice, hear the roar of the crowd, feel the ice shavings spray against the boards, and for a fleeting moment, everything feels right. That was the reality for Dr. Dave Jones during his years as a professional hockey player. Growing up as the youngest of three brothers, Dave discovered early on that scoring goals earned him positive attention and approval. He chased that feeling from Pennsylvania state championships all the way to professional leagues in Ottawa, Cleveland, and Germany. But beneath the athletic triumphs, his identity had become tied entirely to performance—a heavy burden that left him exhausted whenever the cheering stopped.
Dave Jones brings a rare combination of professional athlete experience, military service, and psychological expertise to his work as founder of one of the world's largest Christian marketing agencies. After competing professionally in hockey across Europe, Dave founded M is Good in 2001, developing the innovative R7 process that helps leaders effectively communicate vision. With a doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology, he coaches elite athletes from the NHL, NFL, and other sports through his Mental Toughness Training system. As a four-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Dave now lives in Raleigh, NC with his family while running three successful companies that blend his Christian brand development expertise with performance coaching.
On a recent episode of the Anchoring Hope podcast hosted by David Mansilla, Dr. Dave shared how Jesus met him right in the middle of his performance-driven life. At sixteen, after winning a championship and realizing the empty high of celebration, Dave accepted Christ into his heart. Years later, as he stepped away from sports, he realized that true worth isn't earned on the scoreboard—it is already secured through Jesus Christ. That realization transformed his life and sparked a journey toward authentic spiritual growth and deeper Christian living.
A Leap of Faith into Kingdom Business
Stepping away from professional sports and into the corporate world felt like entering an entirely different arena. Sitting in a office cubicle early in his career, Dave felt a deep inner stirring. He knew he was called to something bigger than standard corporate goals. In a quiet moment of prayer, he asked God where his life should go. The idea of launching a specialized ad agency to support faith-driven causes took root, eventually leading to the creation of his agency, M is Good (originally incorporated as Marketing Ministries).
The transition was far from easy. Dave expected dozens of prospective clients to jump on board immediately, but every single one declined. During his first year, he earned almost nothing, relying heavily on faith and the support of his wife. Yet, instead of giving up, Dave viewed those lean years as a crucial test of trust. He realized that true leadership isn't about rapid wealth or ego; it is rooted in humble community service and putting others first. For Christian entrepreneurs, success comes when we align our work with God’s purpose and stay faithful through quiet, testing seasons.
Managing the Mind, Mastering the Heart
Drawing from his doctorate in sport and performance psychology, Dr. Dave views leadership and personal growth through a unique lens. He points out that human emotions themselves are neutral—money, passion, and ambition can be used to build up or tear down depending on who is guiding them. When emotional impulses or external pressures drive our choices, we react recklessly. But when we lead with a clear, Christ-centered vision, our mind and heart find balance and stability.
In his book, Plan to Win, Dr. Dave identifies four primary toxic motivators that can derail our lives: fear, lust, anger, and pride. The adversary uses these quiet distractions to pull leaders away from God’s calling. Practical Christianity means recognizing these emotional traps early and putting healthy guardrails in place. Whether that means stepping away from constant screen time, creating intentional morning routines of prayer, or protecting personal boundaries in relationships, guarding our hearts allows the Holy Spirit to produce lasting fruit like peace, patience, and self-control.
The Heart of Servant Leadership
In a culture obsessed with status, titles, and bottom lines, Dr. Dave’s approach to running his companies stands out. His core leadership philosophy is simple: if you help enough people get what they truly need, God takes care of the rest. This mindset shifts the focus from selfish ambition to genuine service. A true leader sets the spiritual and emotional tone for their entire organization, demonstrating integrity even when no one is watching.
Leading like Christ means creating a environment where honesty, vulnerability, and continuous learning thrive. Arrogance and an unteachable spirit isolate leaders, while humility allows for grace, restoration, and real growth. When Christian entrepreneurs treat their business as a ministry and view their teams with compassion, work transforms into a living testimony of faith and love.
Planning to Win in the Everyday Walk
Winning in the Christian life isn't about worldly success, flawless performance, or constant accolades. Real victory means choosing to draw closer to Jesus today than yesterday. Dr. Dave encourages everyone to intentionally "plan to win" by building habits that ground their daily walk in God's truth. Simple choices—like starting the day with scripture instead of scrolling through social media, or cultivating gratitude during difficult seasons—can transform our perspective and strengthen our resilience.
Living out practical christianity requires intentionality and active faith. Surrounding ourselves with encouraging, faith-filled community keeps us accountable and focused on what matters most. As we let go of performance anxiety and embrace our secure identity in Christ, we can face any obstacle with steady confidence, shining God's light bright in a world that deeply needs hope.
Author: Jovilyn Abella
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“I defined winning as growing closer to the Lord more today than you did yesterday. ... The antidote to the fear, lust, anger, pride is not giving into these lustful things of people, power, and possessions. ... When you are focused and you have patience, peace, love, kindness in your heart, the vision of the Lord can come through.”
