1Tim. 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
One inescapable reality for all believers INCLUDING those in ministry is that our sinful flesh remains in play. Embracing the call to pastor does not eradicate our flesh. While there are called leaders, there is no perfect leader. There are gifted & godly leaders but none are immune to the sin nature that remains in each until Jesus Himself returns.
Whether passion, personality or ability every pastor that has an upside also has a dark side. Some are more obvious than others. It is always more obvious in others than it is in the mirror. And therein lies the problem. If our dark side is left unrecognized, unacknowledged and unaddressed it waits to betray Jesus’ work in us and harm His work through us.
“How easy it is for us as spiritual leaders to use our ministry positions and the people we have been called to lead to advance our own goals and meet our own neurotic needs.” p. 213
James 5:16b The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Where does your attention go in a typical ministry week? Where do you begin? What gets the most attention and time? When the dust settles, how much activity can we say with certainty was powered with spiritual strength? What kind of attention is given to prayer?
While we all believe in prayer and understand its importance, we also want to do better. Prayer is something we simultaneously long for and feel guilty about.
For many in ministry, the ministry tasks and relationships take so much attention that prayer gets left behind. Perhaps that explains why the results of our activity can be so disappointing. We must find a way to give attention to prayer.
“… 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.
The Pastor's Life 