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Disaster in the Making: The Worst Advice Ever for Young Ministers

4) You don’t need to get a theological education. There’s no need, no time and no point.

The counterpoint to that is that our Lord had only 33 years on earth, so before preaching for 3 years, He prepared for 30.

Almost every minister I know went to school while pastoring churches. So, it’s not either/or. Frankly, I shudder to think what poor leadership my churches would have received had I not gone to seminary and continued to learn and grow.

5) Don’t ever turn down an opportunity to preach.

The preacher who received this advice says he almost killed himself running here and there until it occurred to him he could turn some invitations down. (I’m now realizing the same thing in my retirement mode. Just because someone invites you does not mean you must accept. Ask the Lord.)

6) Never let the congregation know when you are hurting.

This is a variation of the leadership line that goes: Never let ‘em see you sweat. And it’s dead wrong. On the one hand, pastors should not overdo this, but on the other, God has surrounded the minister with faithful friends who would love to help share his burden. But he has to let them know. (I suggest a small group of leaders, told in confidence what the pastor is having to deal with, as the starting place. In most cases, that will be sufficient.)

7) Keep moving. Two years is long enough for any pastorate.

My wonderful Dad told me one year is long enough for most pastorates. But while his instincts were usually sound, this time he missed it. His experience was limited to the country preachers who did little other than show up on Sundays. Time has shown repeatedly that the great churches have pastors who stay for decades.

8) Don’t be a Baptist. There’s no money in it.

Yep, one friend said that pearl of wisdom was given him.

9) It’s better to get forgiveness than permission.

This manipulative tool is used by abusers and is unworthy of a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

10) Go along to get along. 

Variations of this philosophy include: Don’t rock the boat; It’s not worth dying for. You get the impression that some pastors stay at a troubled church for decades by employing this approach. But like Number 9 above, it’s unworthy. The minister should be devoted to helping a church become healthy and strong, and as with any other diseased body, sometimes that requires surgery or even amputation.

11) Avoid that other group in your denomination; they’re liberals.

Labels are libels, as they say. And no hostility is as strong as the competition between brethren.  he minister who heard this counsel tells me it was as wrong as it’s possible to get. Some of those churches and those ministers were sound and Christ-honoring.

12) Do not answer the phone on your off day.

People don’t always know your off-day, and trouble does not honor it. The minister with a servant’s heart will find ways to get away from the phone but still be available when needed.

13) Do not use the same sermon material twice. Throw it away after using it once.

The minister given this piece of wisdom testifies, “I recognized it then for what it was, and never obeyed it once.”