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11 Pastors You Need to Know

10. I’m encouraged by the pastor who is committed to his wife and children more than he is committed to his success among the brethren.

I’m embarrassed to say there was a time in my ministry when I unwittingly lived out this fallacious ideology. I loved my wife and children. I really did.

But the denomination I was part of at the time taught me my identity was wrapped up in the opinion of “the brethren.” I needed my family to “tow the line” so I could be successful in the ministry “I was called by God to accomplish.”

I don’t blame the movement entirely, but it certainly cultivated this ethos. And it resulted in lots of anger, frustration and abuse. I nearly drove my family into the grave.

Thankfully, the Lord granted me repentance and I learned my identity was in Christ, not my performance. I’m deeply encouraged by the pastor who knows his identity is in Christ and he is free to minister to his family instead of drive them—sometimes away from God.

11. I’m encouraged by the pastor who properly understands contextualization.

In other words, he “gets” his culture but refuses to accommodate it.

And he “gets” his tradition but does not hold to it blindly.

The pastor who knows how to present the truth of the never-changing gospel of grace to an ever-changing culture of brokenness has profound insight and a special skill-set.

There are eleven pastors that encourage me. Who encourages you?