Hey fam,
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve shared last. It’s been a great start to the new year in the areas of creativity and goals I have in that area. It’s also been a wonderful time beginning the year in focus with the Lord. I’ve had some amazing conversations and questions asked of me that I decided to write about over the next few weeks. A few weeks ago I was asked by a young man in our congregation, “What was the hardest thing about being a pastor?” I didn’t have to search long for an answer for sure but it sparked something in me to share more from that perspective in general. In honor of being 40 years old, I will make a list of 40 things I learned from pastoring. Feel free to comment and dialogue your thoughts.
John 15:5 is true. Apart from God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), you can do NOTHING, especially pastoring.
It’s an honor to serve the Lord in the pastoring capacity. It’s also a headache. They both hold tension. That’s ok.
You are given supernatural love and care for people but they still belong to GOD, not you.
You don’t have to have every answer for everything you’re asked. God is the only all-knowing one.
You need friends. Real friends. Like seriously.
You are not anyone’s holy spirit. Teach. Admonish. Warn. Rebuke. They answer ultimately to God.
You will grow more than you teach.
You have one enemy and it’s no one in the congregation.
You must grow mentally and emotionally. You want to be a non-anxious presence to the best of your ability.
You will get it wrong a lot. Apologize and move on.
Listen more than you talk (hard one for me especially when being critiqued)
God does love you, like for real.
Care more about the saints growing in maturity than who gets the credit. Others will say the same thing you’ve said but they won’t remember that.
Model a lifestyle of holiness and love above anything else you model.
If single, hey! There are more of us out here. Let your singleness be your loudest gospel message!
If married, hey! God bless you! LOL. Let your marriage be your loudest gospel message!
Go on vacation! Go on vacation! Go on vacation Demetrius, I mean, person!
Take days off! Have a sabbath. Rest.
You are a child of God before anything you do!
Other gifted people aren’t a threat but a help! We need all hands on deck!
Don’t pastor alone! Especially those who are called “lead pastors”
Have older mentors you can go to and be vulnerable with.
Have a Christian therapist that’s biblically and also a good therapist.
Remember Matthew 5 that when you are persecuted for righteousness sake you are blessed. (this one made me tear up)
Remember you are a SHEEP! You need leading too from God and someone else!
Don’t forget you’re a disciple. Always be growing and maturing in the Lord.
Those you shepherd the closest can and sometimes do hurt you the most. Trust God.
Thick skin. Soft heart. Theologically sharp mind. Vital.
Everything you do speaks. (It sucks I know but comes with the role)
Seeing someone “get it” will never get old! oh, what joy!
God sees all that you are doing when others don’t.
Be the lead worshipper in your congregation. In all areas!
Spend more time with God than doing for God.
Stand firm in your convictions scripturally. People pleasing is a real leadership temptation.
Pastor your family! It would be a shame for others to know this God and your family doesn’t.
Define success by doing what you are called to do, in the timing of the Lord to the degree of size he desires for you. Earthly metrics are ever-changing.
Remember according to Psalm 63 our God satisfies us greater than the richest feast.
Learn holy indifference.
Never forget that if God called you to it he will see you through it!
Read the Bible and let it read you.
I have so much more and way more detail but this is a great straight off the initial thoughts list. Hope you all are well.
Until next time
Demetrius