You must follow up or they will not follow through....

 

Daniel, it seems to me that this advice would apply to every member of the body. We somehow think that pastors are required to be more godly than the rest of the Church, and while the elders must be above reproach we are all to walk in the Spirit.

But I understand your point and hope many folks contribute.

 

I think the punch line is this... "If there are currently large areas in your life where Christ isn't reigning, places of continual defeat - you are not ready for this ministry."

But I agree with Jim, it sounds like you've just devalued fighting to give Christ reign over "areas." That is something ALL of us should be striving to do. Even pastors have a problem with that. I think it's more then just that, I think it takes a heart felt passion for people and seeing them grow, a shepherds heart.

 

Jim, Frank - you are both correct, walking in the spirit is something we all need to be doing (not just pastors!) - my advice was that if we are not mature enough to walk consistently in the Spirit then we are not ready for a pastoral ministry.

That is not to devalue the universal Christian struggle against sin. Rather it is to put into perspective where we ought to be before we engage ourselves.

The soldier who is learning the art of war is not fit to command until after he has learned to battle right and win. The advice is - wait until you know what victory is before you seek a command post. ;-)

 

Pray every day to be humble. Pray every day not to be proud.

 

I appreciate the thoughts, even though I do not serve as a pastor, per se.

Bugblaster has a great addition. I have been thinking about humility lately as it relates to recent sermons and readings about Old Testament kings. But again, not as an exclusive application to pastors, but specifically as I can apply it to myself.

 

It is a fine line between cynicism and sentimentality...you must endeavor to keep the tension line tight...

 

My advice goes along with the humility issue. Be willing to take advice! I don't know about other dnoms, but as a young IFB preacher, I had the attitude that some older, more experienced pastors who tried help me temper my zeal with a little knowledge, were just compromisers.

Sadly, it wasn't just me. It seemed to be the spiritual attitude of many of those with whom I fellowshipped.

I am sure that I could have been much farther along in usefulness than I am now,if I had been more willing to be helped.

 

The number one principle that needs to remembered by everyone in the body of Christ is that we are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God.

We must also remember that faith is a gift from God and if you can't remember a defining moment that you accepted Christ then you must accept Christ first before entering any ministry.

 

Lovely post, Daniel. One thought that came to mind was a dynamic you've referred to yourself - different giftings see things in different ways. I'll give it a shot.

Practice to be able to see the God-given gifting of individuals different than yourself. It seems to me that being able to value the strengths of someone who doesn't see eye to eye (in issues for which morality isn't in question) would be an encouragement to the pastor - knowing that God has many types of agents with many types of tools to support the church body thus accomodating for individual limits. It would also be a tool to efectively encourage the flock toward unity. Without having experience outside of my children I also believe that understanding the strengths and calling of an individual helps discern whether or not the person has a healthy relationship with God which is so important for the amount of trust and involvement given.

God bless you, and anyone willing to stick their necks out that much further for God.

Ma Lady