|
| These are not my thoughts. I got them from a Desiring God blog yesterday and thought I'd post it because of its insight. It's not biblical persay but it has biblical principles woven in. I thought y'all might like it. Thanks.
JB
So, you’re thinking of being a pastor?
May 8th, 2007 . by Joe Thorn
So, you’re thinking of going into the pastorate? Here is some of the general advice I give to people who are considering it.
1. Don’t.
If you can do anything outside of the pastorate and find satisfaction in it - do that. Full time, vocational ministry - and the pastorate in particular - is difficult and places unique pressures on your life, marriage and family. Even those who are called by God to serve in this way must be very careful to manage one’s life and house well.
2. Go to a liberal arts college.
If you are young and thinking Bible College vs the University, I’d encourage you to get your undergraduate degree at a liberal arts college - especially if you plan on attending seminary afterward. Pursue a degree in something that will assist you in the ministry. This can be anything from history, to art, to journalism. I say this as a guy who went to Bible College and enjoyed his time there. It was not the wrong decision, but there is a lot of repeat if you go from Bible College to seminary. I believe the university route can provide a more well rounded education.
3. Get the best theological and ministry training possible.
And that may not be the seminary. I am still a supporter of our seminaries - especially places like RTS, Trinity and Southern. But there are other options as well. More churches are now offering training to prepare people for pastoral ministry and depending on where and who you are, alternative models may work better for you. Whatever your choice, get the best education and preparation for ministry possible.
4. Check with your wife.
If you are married, and God calls you to pastoral ministry, he will call your wife as well. This does not mean that she will immediately share the vision or even like the idea. But it does mean that your family comes first, and if God wants you to lead the church he will lead your wife to support you in this calling.
5. Check with your church.
Talk to your pastor about your desire. Can he affirm your sense of calling? Does the church agree that you should pursue this? They are the ones who should be best equipped to assess your qualifications and character. If your church cannot see you functioning in that role it should give you considerable pause.
6. Determine your calling.
Is the pastorate something you think you can do, or is it something you believe God says you must do? I am one of those guys who believes God calls us to specific vocations. Our spiritual gifts, abilities and God’s design for each person is unique and extends to what we do “for a living.” How can you know if God wants you to go into the ministry? Though this is a bit simplistic there are three things to begin with: 1) Do you have an unquenchable, passionate desire to do the work? This of course assumes you know what the work actually is. It is not simply preaching sermons on Sunday. 2) Do you bear fruit when you engage in the work related to this calling (teaching, leading, serving, etc.)? 3) Does your local church affirm your calling? If you can answer yes to these questions be encouraged.
7. Pray.
Honestly, far too many assume that they should go to seminary or into pastoral ministry without really talking to God about it. Labor in prayer over this. It is no small idea or decision.
8. Talk to pastors you respect.
Get the insider’s perspective. Find out from them first-hand what makes ministry so hard. Ask these men to give you reasons not to be a pastor and take those answers to heart. Seek counsel as you move forward following God’s will. As you prepare for pastoral ministry it is critical that you remain connected to the church and her leadership. It is easy to blow your 3 years in seminary, disconnected from the local church, while wrapped up in the classroom and library.
9. Read. A lot.
As you consider this calling - read. While in college - read. It is especially important that you read while in seminary, but read well beyond what is required of you. Read where the seminary leaves off. Determine what is missing and fill in the gaps. Again, seek the counsel of your pastor(s) and men you respect for advice here.
10. Get Real.
When most guys are thinking about pastoring a church they envision themselves pastoring churches like Mars Hill, Tenth Pres’, etc. We tend to dream big (as we should), but the reality is that most of the guys who go into the ministry will pastor relatively small churches. I am not suggesting that anyone think small and avoid anticipating God’s powerful work. I am suggesting that you have expectations that are birthed by God and his word that are aimed at your particular context and not another’s. Do not hijack someone else’s vision, but have an eye for what God can do in the city or town he sends you to. | | |
| I'm finding as I survey the blessings, opportunities, and circumstances God in His benevolence has placed Hannah and I in, I'm a little chagrined at how I shirk the responsibilty of using these gifts wisely. I'm in need of constant focus and re-focus. I have been given so much in the way of tools, opportunities, and relationships. So I am praying to have a focused mind that can be more single minded toward God's Kingdom and sharing the Gospel of Jesus in all situations and conversations. I'm embarrassed to begin to admit how often that focus escapes me. I suppose I'm sharing all this to be openly accountable to making a change in my perspective about evangelism and ministry. Things need to be good in the home of my heart and ordered in the bed of my thoughts.
Jesus, take my wayward thoughts and forgive me for being so easily distracted. By Your Grace alone prompt me to be married in my heart of hearts to Yourself alone and let that commitment exude into all interactions I have. Do this that I might not seek opportunities for the flesh but opportunities to honor You above all. By Your Grace | | |
| Here's a way you can get direct feeds to these blogs on your Google page. Just click. Pretty sweet. Stay in touch!
 | | |
| I'm very convicted and encouraged by some thoughts I've read lately about God's shaping of the person, the character, or as my friend Brian said, "the guts" of a person. When we look at missions we often see it as "We must win these souls for Christ" because it's what we do. Or we tend to think about sharing the Gospel as a good experience or a duty so we go abroad. But isn't the Gospel calling us to live radically and uninhibitedly for God and that then exudes into each conversation and interaction we have? I've read some very insightful thoughts lately that have called me back to the heart of missions. It's the heart and compulsion of God's heart working in someone that moves them. That comes from a heart surrendered to God. That's a much different heart than just one that sees missions as a good deed or a notch on our Christian "check card". I'm praying for God to put this heart in me that moves toward the mission field out of love, glory and heartbeat. Right now we have identified a mission field to work. Yet it extends beyond that neighborhood. I want that character so desperately. I'm praying for it to be cultivated in my life. It goes beyond just obedience, it's searching and seeking out and speaking in love the truth of Jesus in all places. | | |
| Today I'm thinking a lot about all the many things going on in life and in some ways I am reminded of some thoughts Steve shared about passing by beauty. After reading Steve's blog I realize I am wrapped up in what I am doing so often until it gets to the point that I want to escape responsibility and see my joy slip away while foolish pleasure begins to be my god. This week the sermon and worship service will be about our personal cross and taking it up daily. I believe God has been driving this home for me the last two days. I mention it light of these thoughts because surrendering our lives to God is supposed be a beautiful love offering but I get caught up in the duty of it. I think God's heart is pleased when we surrender all in joy to Him. N ot when we give our meager offerings and then internally yearn to escape from having our lives wrapped up in Him. I know I am an escapist in my flesh (maybe that's part of why I love baseball). However, perhaps if Christ could be my joy I would be glad to give up the things that harm and distract me and see beauty in this sacrafice. | | |
|
