Rev. Edward Vaughan never expected Arrow to change his life.
When he signed up for Arrow, he was already in ministry, preaching, leading, and living out his calling. He figured it would be helpful, probably some solid leadership training, maybe a few good books to read. What he didn’t expect was a complete shift in how he approached ministry, leadership, and even life itself.
“I didn’t realise how much I needed it,” Ed admits. “Arrow didn’t just shape my leadership; it shaped me.”
Fast forward a few decades, and Ed is still carrying the lessons of Arrow everywhere he goes. His journey has been one of planting churches, pastoring in different parts of the world, and coaching leaders through the highs and lows of ministry. And through it all, one thing has stuck with him: leadership isn’t just about skills. It’s about character, resilience, and perhaps most importantly, not burning out before the finish line.
A crash course in leadership (and survival!)
Ed has been in ministry for over 30 years, serving in all kinds of places—from planting churches in Sydney’s inner west to leading a congregation in Dublin, to pastoring at St John’s Darlinghurst. These days, he spends a lot of time developing leaders through his pastoral supervision organisation, Generation Leadership, to help others survive (and thrive) in ministry.
His journey with Arrow started back in 1997, and let’s just say it wasn’t a “tick-the-box” leadership course. It was life-altering.
“It was like getting an MBA for ministers,” Edward says. “Except instead of just learning strategies, I actually became a different kind of leader.
“It wasn’t just that I learnt a lot of content, although that was part of it. For me it was the entry into a community of people who took leadership seriously. Ministry and leadership were different for me from that point on.”
“The relationships were incredible,” he says. “I met people who challenged me, encouraged me, and pushed me to think deeply about what kind of leader I was becoming.”
And while Arrow did help Ed refine his leadership skills, it also confronted something deeper: the dangerous trap of pouring yourself out until there’s nothing left.
“Self-denial is biblical,” he says. “Self-neglect is not. Caring for your soul is a mission critical issue.”
That distinction shaped how Ed leads today. Ministry isn’t about running on empty, it’s about leading from a place of spiritual health, emotional resilience, and continual growth.
How Arrow helped save his marriage
The impact of Arrow wasn’t just felt in his ministry—it transformed his marriage too.
Ed’s wife, Jane, saw firsthand the difference it made. Ministry life was demanding, and they were both feeling the weight of it. But Arrow gave Ed the permission and the tools to lead in a way that was sustainable.
“I believe we are still married and still in ministry because of Arrow,” Jane says. “The program helped him grow in self-awareness and leadership, which made him a better husband and father. It gave him the resilience to keep going and thrive, not just survive.”
And let’s be honest—Jane’s words carry serious weight. It’s one thing for a leader to say, “Arrow changed my life.” It’s another for their spouse to say, “We probably wouldn’t have made it without it.”
Blunders, lessons, and a podcast to prove it
Leadership isn’t just about successes—it’s about learning from mistakes. And Ed has plenty of stories to tell. That’s why he created The Blunder Bus, a podcast which explores the lessons (and blunders) of ministry life.
Through honest conversations, humor, and wisdom, Ed invites other leaders to embrace the reality that everyone makes mistakes, but the best leaders learn from them.
“I like to say that failure can be fun, especially other people’s!” he jokes. “So, I want to encourage people to jump on the bus and go for the ride.”
His podcast has become a space for leaders to reflect, grow, and laugh a little along the way, because if there’s one thing Ed has learned, it’s that being playful is an antidote for burnout.
Investing in the next generation of leaders
Ed is passionate about seeing the next generation of Christian leaders thrive. He knows ministry won’t get easier. But he also knows that investing in leadership development now is the key to lasting impact.
“Ministry will always be busy,” he says. “But if you don’t invest in your leadership now, when will you?”
He understands the obstacles—time, money, and for many, the demands of family. But his challenge to young leaders is clear: if you want to grow, you have to be willing to invest in it.
“Don’t let the issue of funding stop you from doing Arrow. There’s money in the kingdom,” he says. “Maybe the biggest leadership challenge for you is raising the financial support to invest in your own development so that you can do Arrow now.”
As Arrow marks 30 years and celebrates its 1,000th participant, Ed sees its mission as more vital than ever. Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about soul care, resilience, and a deep trust in God.
And if there’s one thing Ed is sure of, it’s this: the challenges of ministry aren’t going away. The question isn’t whether leaders will face them—it’s whether they’ll be equipped to handle them.
Arrow shaped him for the road ahead. Now, he’s committed to doing the same for others.
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