Friday, June 27, 2014

For Pastors

Ten Things I Wish Somebody Had Told Me Fourteen Years Ago: Lessons I Have Learned Along The Way


1. You can say “yes” to God by saying “no” to the church. Learn how to say “no” to less important things. Put God first. Then your family. Then the church.

2. You will never meet everybody’s expectations, so stop trying.

3. Be a first-rate version of yourself and not a second-rate version of somebody else.

4. Listen to understand. Don’t listen to reply. 

5. Collaborate with other churches and pastors. Don’t compete with them. We are on the same team.

6. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who you perceive other people are today.

7. Take a weekly Sabbath. God didn't work seven days a week and you don't need to either. Use all your continuing education even if it is just taking a week away to read a few books, watch a few videos, gather with a few other clergy, and / or doing some reflecting. Use all your vacation. Play, pray, rest, restore, renew, replenish, reconcile. 

8. Have something you love to do that has nothing to do with the church.

9. Have a best friend or maybe co-best friends who accept who both for who you are and who you are not.

10. Have a life team. Three to five people who understand that one of their purposes in life is to encourage you, support you, serve you, love you, and help you grow. 

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