My email inbox is full of tragic examples.
They entered into vocational ministry with hope and healthy idealism.
They had been prepared well in the study of the Bible, theology, church history and other classical disciplines.
They were bright, eager and ready to change the world in God’s power.
And they failed.
Let me say it more clearly: From their perspective they failed.
They began leading that first or second church and they were blindsided by what hit them.
Some are still walking wounded in ministry today.
Some moved quickly to the next church, only to find that you can’t run from messy ministry.
Some are still serving, but they are bitter and disillusioned.
And too many quit ministry altogether.
Over time I began to see a pattern or group of patterns. I saw where many ministers were very unprepared for ministry.
Indeed, some of the lessons were my own experiences and my own failures.
Allow me to share eight of the most common areas where ministers, particularly in America, are often unprepared for ministry.
1. Relational intelligence.
I wish every minister could somehow take some type of relational intelligence inventory. I wish they could be coached on how to relate to all types of people.
Many ministers crash because they have never learned how to relate well to others.
2. Leadership skills.
A minister who leads a church of 100 members is leading a relatively large organization, more than many in the secular world will ever lead.
In addition, the minister is leading a large number of volunteers. Leadership is tough in any setting, but particularly this one.
