Welcome to the Pastor’s Life!

“… upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” – Jesus Matt. 16:18

Welcome to the Pastor’s Life! What a blessing to begin serving you in the areas of Leadership health. I am humbled by God’s call and the privilege you have given to be part of the KNCSB state team.

As a rookie pastor, I remember hearing John Maxwell answer the question “What is the one thing I need to know to be a great leader?” His answer was, “The most important thing you need to know about leadership is that there more than one thing you need to know.” HOW TRUE!

A few decades later, I am still learning! How about you? Leaders are always learning aren’t we? We learn new skills, new tools, new information, new levels of faith and holiness, new depths of God’s heart & faithfulness. Yet, the more we learn the clearer foundation stones of healthy ministry become.

A great deal of learning involves relearning and reminding. Reminding sinks things deeper. Reminding can be annoying, but it can also be encouraging, refreshing freeing! Reminding can sharpen the clarity of our remembering and sharpen our active follow through today!

In these articles I hope to encourage you, sharpen you and serve you through both learning and reminding. You have plenty of places to find something new. My invitation is to remember your first love, your foundation, your calling… your SAVIOR.

You are not working alone. Jesus is the most gifted in the room. Jesus is the best leader in the room. Jesus is the smartest person in the room. Jesus sacrificed the most in the room.

The pressures and pace of ministry too often propel us forward in ways that cause us to lose our footing. We have all been there, It could be you are there right now. The good news is that as we remind each other of the gospel core, both impact and health deepen.

For today I’d like to remind you of one foundational reality: Jesus is building His church! Read that again. Let it sink in. Wow! You are not working alone. Jesus is the most gifted in the room. Jesus is the best leader in the room. Jesus is the smartest person in the room. Jesus sacrificed the most in the room. Jesus who called us is with us in His building project! A project that will not be delayed or disrupted by any other power.

As Fall looms with a mix of excitement and anxiety, ground your heart in this truth. Jesus is building His church. He has invited you to be part of His project. Relax, follow His call, keep in step with Him and enjoy the opportunity! I am praying for you, and Jesus is with you.

If I can be of any help to you or your church. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

John Shields

KNCSB Leadership Health Director

Published by

Unknown's avatar

john shields

John currently serves as the Leadership Health Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He came to this role in 2021 after serving as lead pastor of Parkview church for 25 years. That season included walking through many joys, challenges & transitions. He learned and led through shifts in worship, staffing, structure, strategies and COVID with an overriding emphasis on making disciples and biblical church health. He is marked by a deep love for God’s Word. John has been involved in pastor cluster groups for many years and served KNCSB in a variety of volunteer roles including president of the convention. He has a passion for pastors and their families to thrive in their calling and relationships through a deepening relationship with Jesus & each other. He and Julie love connecting with and encouraging other ministry families.

Leave a comment