The challenge was placed before you in a previous e-zine. First, are you burdened about the lack of impact being made by the church? Second - do you feel adequately "trained and equipped" to do the ministry God has called you to do? Third - are you among the 85% of pastors that are simply "tired of dealing with problem people?" Fourth - do you have a confidant/mentor? Fifth - do you increasingly find yourself neglecting your own spiritual life/relationship with Christ to "do the ministry of the church?"
Let me begin with the latter - "Do you increasingly find yourself neglecting your own spiritual life/relationship with Christ to "do the ministry of the church?"" If your answer is YES, then what are you going to do about it?
Second, let me deal with your having a confidant/close friend/mentor. Do you have one? I have heard the statement, "these preachers today want to be Lone Rangers." Well -- even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. Who is yoiur Tonto?
I am convinced there are things we - as pastors - must do to strengthen the churches we serve. First and foremost, WE NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO BE STILL AND KNOW GOD BETTER! Yes - I know how hard it is. But we need to take those sabbaticals/days off. We need to take time away from the busy-ness. We need to relflect upon God; His Will for our lives; and examine IF we are being obedient to His call or disobedient in the way we are doing ministry.
I want to encourage you to DO several things:
1. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD: Take your calendar RIGHT NOW and schedule some time to be ALONE WITH GOD---AWAY FROM THE BUSY-NESS. Determine to use that time to read/stuydy/meditate upon His Word and what He is saying to YOU as His undershepherd to His flock where you serve.
2. FELLOWSHIP WITH FAMILY: I know my wife does not deserve the neglect I give her in the name of ministry. Take some time each week to be WITH family - away from the busy-ness. Like your relationship with the Lord, you need some times of undistracted time with family.
3. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER PASTORS: It is time to find a Tonto to travel along with us! There are WEEKLY times of fellowship that you need to make the special effort to be a part of - just to get to know your brothers in ministry in TRBA and other associations. If you are not already a part of a group, then there are groups you should "crash:"
* There is a lunch group around Zebulon that meets every Monday at noon (they meet at Wakefield Central - yes, it crossed associational lines)
* There is a breakfast group that meets at the BoJangles in Louisburg on Tuesdays around 8:30 AM.
* There is a breakfast group that meets at the BoJangles in Nashville on Wednesdays around 8:30 AM (and it too crosses associational lines).
* Dougald will be in the Ledford Center at SEBTS around 11:15 AM every third Wednesday for those that are on campus.
You are encouraged to get to know those who serve with you in this ministry God has called you to. There are a precious few of us, and we can help one another in this important work.
4. JOIN A SMALL GROUP: I will be approaching you in the weeks aheade to consider working with me on a special "project." The purpose is multi-fold: (1) to lead pastors and churches to envision God's future, (2) to lead church leaders to develop a strategy to become healthy, reproducing churches in their communitiesm, and (3)build up the fellowship among TRBA ministers (which I believe strengthens our member churches).
5. ATTEND PASTORS' CONFERENCE: In 2009 we will change our format some and will be working with Rick Hughes on a quarterly basis. In my next e-zine I will detail the dates for 2009 so you can place them on your calendar.
Again I ask, do you REALLY want to see your church THRIVE? Come join me - both in prayer and in the places mentioned above.
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