30 Years

 Thirty years is a long time. Thirty years ago ministry was different. I am taking a few moments to reflect as Lisa and I celebrate longevity in just two churches. I am extremely grateful for the first ministry I was involved in. I was afforded the opportunity of sitting under the ministry of Jim McClain in Norwalk, Ohio. He began his ministry there in 1979 and retired from the same church in 2021. Can you imagine forty-two years in one place? I can because I got a front-row seat. I was able to watch a man faithfully love a group of people through teaching and training them. Sure there were hard times but Jim and his wife personified Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, 'Well done good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.'

If this sounds remotely attractive to you, then take a quick look at what I am about to say and seriously challenge your thinking.

There have been a lot of changes in the ministry over the last thirty years. The advent of specialization in ministry has professionalized our purpose. Once upon a time churches were filled by ministers (lay people) within the church, We have successfully fragmented the fabric of the church which God perfectly designed the church to function effectively through the gifts within the body.

The quest for significance in ministry has created ego-centered pastors. With books, podcasts, conferences, and training centers fueling the need to be known, we have lost our way in what we have been called to do. I have fallen prey at times to this insidious disease. I have to fight the urge to be known and be heard. The only thing that matters is that He is known and heard. 

As I get older, I find it more important to tell my story to help others stay grounded and not follow the current trend or path that leads to nowhere. I challenge those who are pastors to stop and think about what they are doing and think about the path of ministry. 

Here are three observations that will make pastors more effective in the years ahead.

1. Pastors stay put. I am amazed that guys don't account for their families when considering a move. The best advice I ever received from another pastor was to stay put. He gave me the illustration of a tree. It can only be replanted once, maybe twice before it will die. Children are much like a tree. They can only withstand so much uprooting. Sometimes you have to withstand some challenges to get to the point where fruit is produced. 

How you start is usually how you finish. I would suggest that you start with loving the people God has called you to. When you get to the finish line you will love them more and they will love you. 

2. Pastor don't fall into the trap of "more". You may be asking, more of what? It is rather simple. More people, more significance, more popularity more power, more control, I could go on and on. We all have fragile egos. We all want to believe that what we do matters more than it actually does. Contentment in our culture is nearly impossible without a single focus. I have had to drop off boards, stay away from discontent pastors and surround myself with reminders that God has a plan. 

I think sometimes that we believe that God really cares about how significant we become. In reality, He really cares how close we walk with Him. 

3. Pastor become an equipper. Ephesians 4:11-12 clearly lays out the role of a pastor in the local church. 11 And He gave some as apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some as pastors and teachers. 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; This is missed at the highest level of training. Young men who are gifted are trained in using their gifts but often are not trained in how to train others in their gifts. This, in my opinion, is a major flaw in the church today. When was the last book you read on how to train people to minister? What is your process? How do you measure success? These are very important questions we all should be asking ourselves. 

The structure of your church will dictate what your church will ultimately become. If you find yourself frustrated, burnt out, and stressed out over the pressure of performing.... you're doing too much. Let the church be the church and start training.

If you reading this and you are not a pastor, maybe this would be helpful to share with your pastor.