Four years ago I moved back to the States from serving as a missionary in a small Alpine village of Slovenia.
I knew the vision I had as a missionary...
It wasn't to write a book
or have multiple simulcasts
It was to pour my life into a few and silently fade into the background
giving ownership to the nationals.
Now as a young pastor in the States that vision has been challenged. Behind all the conferences and education, it seems there is an underlying idea that a successful pastor in the States will have a growing church with thousands of people, multiple services, a large staff, and a training program with some catchy theme or expressions ... pastors who fade into the background risk their job.
So where do I set my sites as a Pastor who has Lord willing 30 years ahead of me? Gifted men like Driscoll and Chandler offer a false finish line for thousands of young men entering into ministry and many more leaving the ministry out of frustration of unfulfilled expectations. I've been called a leader and a visionary but I'd actually like to ask directions from someone that is not a type A personality, leading a church of several thousands...
I'd like to hear from a pastor of a healthy small church that has faithfully been loving a small group of people well, truthfully proclaiming the Word of God, and living a life of quiet integrity. Here's the directions for a life of ministry I would expect he'd give me ...
- Don't trade your family for the ministry. There is always something more you could do, one more program, one more person to meet with, your job will never be done. You have a few short years with your children and your task of discipleship runs deepest in the home. Love your bride.
- Carry the light not the torch. There are multiple ways to bring light, be who God has made you to be, don't copy or mimic those around you. The light you bring will be unique, don't expect others to imitate you.
- Hold compliments for 5 minutes.... criticisms too. It's nice to be encouraged and sometimes you may need it but don't let that give you a distorted view of yourself. Criticisms may offer a chance to learn and grow but can kill your joy if you hold them too long.
- Set your vision for people not programs. Vision for programs uses people, vision for people uses programs and allows you to kill or implement new programs without crushing you.
