4. Don’t underestimate the value of older members.
Because it is hard for existing members of a dying and declining church to accept a young pastor and a different direction, it is easy to blame them. I know, at the beginning, I did.
Yet, the longer I stayed, the longer both myself and these long time members battled to love each other and work together. I thought I was the one being very patient with them in the early years.
As time went one, I realized how patient they were actually being with me as a young pastor trying to grow. Yesterday, one of the most meaningful moments occured when some of the elderly members who once struggled with me for years, came to hug me and tell me how grateful they were I stayed.
God does a special work in both older members and a younger pastor as we try to understand the other and love one another. We grow differently when we are forced to love someone harder to love.
5. Pursue being wanted, but not needed.
For the first several years, I was told that I would probably be the last pastor of this church.
When I left for my sabbatical this summer, my hope was to come back and realize how much I had truly become unneeded. That is what I experienced and expendability never felt so good.
Yet, I feel more wanted than ever. That should be the goal for us as pastors, that we build leadership around ourselves so the church is not so dependent on one person, yet be fruitful enough that we are still wanted by our church.
Not the best formula for job security, but a wonderful plan for a healthy church.
6. Don’t neglect your own soul.
Paul told the Ephesian elders, “Take heed to yourselves and your flock.” (Acts 20:28) Pastors know to take heed to their flock, but often forget the call to take heed to themselves.
The moments during these last 10 years where I was not at my best, or was batting with sin more, could always be traced back to some kind of neglect toward my own soul.
Pastors, cut something out and do what you must to care for your own soul. If you are not refreshed by the Lord’s grace and Spirit daily, you will not be at the right place to minister that grace to others.
