Category: Personal Growth
4 Tips to Start Your Day
Nine Stupid Things I Did as a Pastor
Nine Stupid Things I Did as a Pastor
By Thom Rainer
If you want to read the tale of a pastor who really did some dumb things, keep reading.
I served as pastor of four churches. It was only by the grace of God and the graciousness of the congregations that I was called and allowed to stay at those churches. I absolutely love the members of those four congregations, and I will forever be grateful to them and for them.
Frankly, I’m not sure I would give myself a passing grade as a pastor. I messed up quite a bit. I would do several things differently today. And as a point of full disclosure, my list of nine is not close to being exhaustive.
1. I neglected my prayer life and time in the Word too often. It sounds absolutely insane as I write it, but I got too busy for God. As a consequence, I operated out of my own insufficient power too many times.
2. I neglected my family too often. Paul wrote these words to Pastor Timothy: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5, HCSB). Ouch. So many times I communicated through my actions to my family that they were not as important as other church members.
3. I let the crisis of the moment overwhelm me. In doing so I did not trust in God to see me through the situation. And I did not have a longer-term perspective to understand that difficulties are only for a season.
4. I perceived most of my critics as my adversaries. Some of my critics actually had constructive input. Others were going through their own struggles, and I was a convenient target. I took criticisms personally instead of responding pastorally.
5. I competed with other churches. Shame on me. Too often I wanted my church to have a greater attendance than other churches in the area. I should have been praying for and working with those other church leaders more.
6. I neglected praying with my staff. My prayer time with my church staff was haphazard at best. The one thing we needed to do the most, we were doing the least. I was a terrible leader on that front.
7. I often worried about what others thought about me. My sole concern should have been how Christ-like I was. Too often I sought the approval of others rather than the blessings of God.
8. I often yielded to unreasonable requests and demands. Instead of spending my time doing those things that really mattered, I gave in too often to the “squeaky wheel.” I sacrificed the great in order to do the good.
9. I gave up too often. Due to frustration, exhaustion or, more often, lack of faith, I gave up on challenges too quickly. I am convinced I missed out on many victories when they were just around the corner.
Those are but a few of the stupid things I did as a pastor. Most of you can breathe a sigh of relief that I never served as your pastor.
So why I am writing these self-critical comments at this stage of my life? I pray that some of you may see something in your own lives and leadership that you can correct before it’s too late. God is able. God is willing.
I look forward to your comments.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on May 4, 2015. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
15 comments
Pastor2Pastor — In His Grip
Pastor2Pastor — In His Grip
9 comments
-
Carl Meyer
I like these words from the Bible. As Christians, sometimes we forget what a wonderful blessing it is to be in his grip every day. Important words and thoughts from the bible (and of course Brother Davis).
-
Adetokunbo oni
Thank you for your encouraging message. When we are lonely, we are confident that our Lord is always there, even though we cannot see Him physically. God bless.
-
Tom Skowronski
Thanks Barry. Very nice message. It is amazing how similar the church you are in is to the one I grew up worshiping in -> St. John Kanty, Buffalo, NY. Thanks for the memories as well. “Keep up the fire”
-
Pastor Aaron T. Lewis Sr.
I just watched the video of Pastor Barry and was moved and touched to know that there are pastors out there that gets lonely also. Thank you Pastor Barry for sharing with me my greatest fear. May my God Bless and keep you!
-
Maxine Taylor
Thank you pastor Barry , Ilisten and it’s very encouraging , and I ask God’s blessing on you so you can continue to bless and encourage many more pastors that are lonely.
Be strong in The Lord and in the power of His might.
Nine Stupid Things I Did as a Pastor
Nine Stupid Things I Did as a Pastor
By Thom Rainer
If you want to read the tale of a pastor who really did some dumb things, keep reading.
I served as pastor of four churches. It was only by the grace of God and the graciousness of the congregations that I was called and allowed to stay at those churches. I absolutely love the members of those four congregations, and I will forever be grateful to them and for them.
Frankly, I’m not sure I would give myself a passing grade as a pastor. I messed up quite a bit. I would do several things differently today. And as a point of full disclosure, my list of nine is not close to being exhaustive.
1. I neglected my prayer life and time in the Word too often. It sounds absolutely insane as I write it, but I got too busy for God. As a consequence, I operated out of my own insufficient power too many times.
2. I neglected my family too often. Paul wrote these words to Pastor Timothy: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5, HCSB). Ouch. So many times I communicated through my actions to my family that they were not as important as other church members.
3. I let the crisis of the moment overwhelm me. In doing so I did not trust in God to see me through the situation. And I did not have a longer-term perspective to understand that difficulties are only for a season.
4. I perceived most of my critics as my adversaries. Some of my critics actually had constructive input. Others were going through their own struggles, and I was a convenient target. I took criticisms personally instead of responding pastorally.
5. I competed with other churches. Shame on me. Too often I wanted my church to have a greater attendance than other churches in the area. I should have been praying for and working with those other church leaders more.
6. I neglected praying with my staff. My prayer time with my church staff was haphazard at best. The one thing we needed to do the most, we were doing the least. I was a terrible leader on that front.
7. I often worried about what others thought about me. My sole concern should have been how Christ-like I was. Too often I sought the approval of others rather than the blessings of God.
8. I often yielded to unreasonable requests and demands. Instead of spending my time doing those things that really mattered, I gave in too often to the “squeaky wheel.” I sacrificed the great in order to do the good.
9. I gave up too often. Due to frustration, exhaustion or, more often, lack of faith, I gave up on challenges too quickly. I am convinced I missed out on many victories when they were just around the corner.
Those are but a few of the stupid things I did as a pastor. Most of you can breathe a sigh of relief that I never served as your pastor.
So why I am writing these self-critical comments at this stage of my life? I pray that some of you may see something in your own lives and leadership that you can correct before it’s too late. God is able. God is willing.
I look forward to your comments.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on May 4, 2015. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
15 comments
-
Sherene D Smith
Thank you for sharing. We have start a new church and it has been challenging.. thank you again for sharing your wisdom so we can stay focused.
-
Erick
Thanks for being transparent. I believe it’s part of the reason people are leaving the church today is there is not enough transparency from the pulpit.
-
Genaro Martinez, Jr.
Thank you for sharing this, all I can say is I have found myself there many times too. Only the grace of God and the love of the people we serve is what gets us through… God bless!
-
David
I could add, “I spent too much time being mad at the ones who WEREN’T there and not enough time appreciating the ones who WERE there.”
-
Anthony
I’ve been pastoring now for over 10 yrs. and I still haven’t perfected it. I have found out though, that the word of God, will always prevail over any situation. Just stay with the word. I have felt rejection, experienced slander, been taken to court, you name it; but God, and His word has always brought me through. And for that, I am encouraged.
Thanks for the post. -
Lawrence Kumi
Thanks for sharing. It will be very helpful to some of us lay ministers. Most grateful.
-
Musa Mitekaro
Dear Pastor Rainer
Greetings from Africa. I have been so much blessed by your articles. Sharing your experiences is a great ministry. I am a pastor and administrator here in Africa, you have touched my life. God bless you, your family and ministry -
Deborah Yinka
Thanks for sharing your downsides with others. I really appreciate the fact someone else goes thru these challenges in serving the Lord Jesus. I think I get how to serve better. God bless you
-
KOFI APPIANING
Thanks for sharing. This is a great lesson for all ministers and Christian leaders
-
Jean Jackson Luma
Dear Pastor Rainer
Greetings From Haitian Community ( Norwood Church of God in Massachusetts) .Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us ,by today I will apply them in my ministry .
May God bless you and your family
Bishop Jean J Luma
-
Thanks, when I hear or see someone take a stand for being wrong, I know they are on their way to greatness. Show us oh Lord who we are and how to grow in you.
-
Frank esilaba
Dear Pastor
Thanks for sharing. This is a great lesson for all ministers and Christian leaders and especially me. I will use this in my service for Christ our Lord.God bless you, your family and Ministry,
Bishop Frank Esilaba
-
Ps Ray Terborg
Thank you pastor for sharing with us your experiences this counts for Every ps bishops this is an eye opener for every leader in THE churches today,
Thank you -
Pst. Edith Wekesa
Thank you pastor greetings from Kenya and for sharing about yourself. It is great that one can admit their faults. it gives me strength to know that the struggles are for all of us, therefore we need to uplift each other as ministers of the word of God all the earth. Its encouraging to share and enable others avoid same mistakes.
Pastor, How Well Do You Know Jesus?
Pastor, How Well Do You Know Jesus?
When you are in ministry, people just assume that you have a very strong relationship with Jesus. And they should be able to assume that, but unfortunately, it is an assumption that doesn’t always turn out to be true. In my ministry I get to talk to a lot of pastors, and truth be told, many of them know a lot of facts about Jesus, but for any number of reasons, they don’t have a close personal relationship with Him anymore. Here are some common reasons:
- Not enough time with the Word. It is one thing to read the Bible to get together a sermon outline or lesson, it is quite another to read the Bible devotionally for the sole purpose of drawing closer to Jesus.
- Not enough time in Prayer. Sometimes we are in such a big hurry that the only prayers we offer are before meals and from the pulpit.
- Not enough Faith. You might be shocked to learn how many ministers struggle with their faith on a day-to-day basis. It isn’t that they are atheists, but they’ve come to a point in their spiritual journey where they just have trouble believing like they once did.
- Not enough Motivation. Sometimes after working 50-70 hours a week in ministry, you are so spent trying to be Jesus to others, that you have no drive to spend time with the real Jesus yourself.
- Not enough Concern. Unfortunately, there are a number of ministers who just don’t care about knowing Jesus at any more depth than they know Him now.
The words above aren’t written to condemn, but to recognize some of the behaviors that have led us away from knowing Jesus as we should. I am convinced that we all would rather experience what John shared:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life–the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us–that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:1-3 (NKJV)
It’s hard not to envy John as we read these words. He begins this letter by identifying himself as one who had experienced an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. How wonderful to consider what it must have been like to hear, see, and touch the one who has always been. If we use our imaginations, we can perhaps obtain a small glimpse of what John was able to see firsthand so many years ago.
But you and I both know that seeing Jesus with our eyes is not what we need the most, even though it would make us feel good on an emotional level. What is most important is that we recognize Jesus as John describes Him, as “the Word of life.” This is the same way John started out his Gospel account – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, NKJV). This Word John speaks of is the eternal, infallible, sinless, crucified, risen, and returning Son of the living God. And the great news is that today, even as you read these words, THE Word wants nothing more than for you to grow in relationship with Him. Are you ready?
How can you begin to know Jesus again on a personal level? How about reversing the negatives above, and turning them into positives?
- Spend time in the Word! Starting right now, open your Bible and begin reading one of the Gospels and discover all over again why you are in love with Jesus. Don’t stop to take notes! Don’t try to find a sermon outline in the text! Just read it and take the time to ponder how great Jesus is.
- Start Praying! Jesus wants to hear your voice right now. You don’t have to come up with something flowery or something that sounds like an institutional prayer. Just lay your heart out to Jesus like you once did. Let Him know your fears, your doubts, your frustrations, but also let Him know that He can count on you to continue fighting for Him and His Kingdom!
- Begin Building Your Faith! Remember all the ways that God has worked in your life in the past. Ponder all the times you’ve seen Him work in the lives of others. Look up into the sky and fathom the wonderful universe that He has created. What brought you to faith in the first place? Reflect on that and begin to focus on it all over again.
- Recharge Your Battery! I know what it is like to work long hours, struggling to be everything everyone thinks you should be. It is exhausting! You are going to have to take time off for yourself. Hopefully you are taking at least one day a week where you are not focusing on ministry at all. Read a book, go for a walk, talk to your spouse! Allow yourself a break from the everyday stress of ministry.
- Reignite Your Passion! You know deep down that without an intimate relationship with Jesus, your life is just going to keep getting worse. Depression, burnout, marital problems, and much more, often take place when we lose our passion for Jesus and the ministry He has called us to. All of what has been stated above will help you to get your passion back, but there is one more thing that will help — surrender your life to Him all over again. I’m not talking about being “resaved,” but recommitting yourself to Jesus and your calling. When you recommit you refocus, and when you refocus, your passion will return.
So Pastor, how well do you know Jesus? I hope that starting today, you’ll take the steps necessary to know Him better than you ever have before!
Now please do me a favor — click the “Read More” button directly below this message and then go down to where it says “Leave A Reply” and let me know if this article helped you today. Feel free to share with us and other pastors who will read this, how God is helping you to get to know Him better. Also, please click on the social media buttons and share this on Facebook, Twitter, etc… to help get the word out! We truly want to be the “Pastor’s Helper.”
In Christ,
Barry
50 comments
-
Tony Myers
A very good word, and a great reminder. I’m no good to others, without a continual renewel of my personel relationship with Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit!
-
Timothy
Thanks! I think this was just for me because I had lost my passion last month so this is a big help.
-
JoAnn Marie
thank you for that inspiration . it is amazing how God will use someone anything to speak to your heart. I love God the father God the son , and God the holy spirit and the spouse of the Holy spirit every morning when i rise i thank the holy trinity i recognize my higher powers someone is watching me maybe an audience of unseen world is watching over me and wishing me well in Jesus name i pray
-
Sylvester N. Yaingbaye
Good reminder to retrospect our lives and stage a revival that begins within ourselves.
-
-
Levie Taylor
Excellent article that caused me to reflect on the level of true intimacy I have with Christ. I will share with others.
-
Thank you for sharing this with me today. This is very helpful in that it help me in thinking through some of the hard things that I go through as a retired pastor. Barry, I think you hit the nail right on the head in what you are saying. Thank you for sharing this with me today.
-
Pastor Sandy
Thank you — needed to read this— so how true it is we don’t give enough time to renewel my personel relationship with Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit!
Keep the good WORD and encouragement coming…
> We all need it –< -
I’ve been a pastor for over 35 years and am especially guilty of #4, once going a 10 year stretch w/o using any of my vacation time. I now am mentoring 3 young pastors to be & have been telling them some of the “dumb things I have done”. I will share this article w/ them in a meeting this morning.
-
Pastor Rick Bee
Brother Barry;Thank you for this short message. You are right others look to me to be a guiding light, so to speak. My relationship with the father, I want to be stronger each day, more than the day before. God bless you brother, in the name of our Lord.
-
Pastor Ron
Thanks for the message. Can anyone help with a Liturgy for the Thursday of Holy Week? I have been asked to join in a Social Meal but also to incorporate Holy Communion into it. The idea appeals of gathering around a real meal and really talking to people as opposed to the more familiar liturgical Communion and “standard type” address I usually preside at. Any suggestions?
-
Pastor Goddy
Thanks a great deal.Helpful my brother.Sometimes I feel like am not doing enough ‘knowing Him’
-
Great article Dr. Davis, Thoughtful and needed commentary.
-
Larry
Brother Barry : very pertinent message those very same things were touching my life and ministry just this week. I went to The Lord with fasting and prayer and feel connected and in tune again. Thanks for all your Kingdom work. We need men like you to bring things out in the open that we all experience along the way.
-
“That I may know Him — and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings — being made conformable unto his death.” Phil. 3:10
It’s all about falling in love with Jesus all over again…
Blessings and favor to you, Dr. B, for this powerful and anointed Word today❗️
-
Allan RIver
I found this to be very helpful and thoughts to ponder on, in fact to reflect upon my spiritual life and as said, my relationship with Jesus. There’s always more we can doto live closer with Jesus, that special relationship where I can talk to Him even whilst I’m standing in a que or during my lunchtime at work.
-
Major Lorne Hiscock
Pastor Barry thank you for that thought provoking question. AS I grow older in the faith of Jesus Christ I am reminded every day how much I need to know Jesus more. There is an old hymn, which by the way is not sung too much anymore which say’s, “More, more about Jesus, More of His saving truth proclaim. More of His love who died for me” It means becoming richer and fuller in His love. Hallelujah what a Saviour. God bless you brother Barry keep it coming.
-
thanks so much for this today. I needed this encouragement. Having gone thru recent surgery, recuperating time has been helpful to gain insight and encouragement from others.
Today was much needed and accepted! -
Bishop Fredrick Ogara
Dear Brother Barry,
I want thank you so much for revitalizing my spirit and my inner being.God bless you
-
Isaac Gearring
Thank you so much Dr. Barry for a most needed and very inspiring Word. God blessings to you and your ministry forever more!
-
Iphie Agwu
Thanks so much for this reminder, it is very timely especially at this time when the second coming of our LORD is very near. GOD bless u.
-
Atepera Lee
Thanks Barry-I totally agree of what you have said about us ministers including myself and our real relationship with Jesus. My second wife whom we married about a year ago is very keen in having quite time with Lord every morning. That’s an encouragement for me to recommit and refocus to get closer to Him. Thanks again for reminding us. God bless. I am a pastor of the Samoan community church (congregational)in Sydney
-
Minister Greene
I am a Minister who is at the point on going to the next level in my spiritual life. I have been praying asking God for His guidance in going into full time ministry. You message have given me a clear insight on my next endeavor with Christ. God bless
-
Shipalana Evans
This is really for me! You just talked to my life! My battery needed recharged after I have gone through a lot in ministry!
-
Punnie Quarshie
This is a good reminder. As a minister sometines i find myself reading for a message rather than for myself.
Thanks and God bless you
-
Abednego Boye
Thanks for this inspirational words. I really need to refocus and rededicate my my life to Jesus . I lost my church and now am jobless which has made me miserable.
I need prayers. Thanks. -
Dear pastor thank you the encouragement, this is a good reminder. As a pastor sometimes I find myself reading for a message rather than for myself.
Thanks and God bless you
GOD blesses you!With regards
REV S.NAYAGAM
NO 120 P&T COLONY VENKATESHPURAM
Arabic college post
BANGALORE-560045
PHONE NO 91-80-25478286 CELL—7204488112, TELE FAX-91-80-25478286 -
Sylvester Adams
It’s amazing man of God. Those first two indispensable requirements definitely lead to the rest you’ve mentioned sir. Am reminded, am rekindled. The God of eternity bless you abundantly in Jesus honored Name. HALLELUJAH
-
Osho Segun
Very correct and timely. Ministry is full of risks. sometime, as ministers, we work under assumptions.if care is not taken we might have been deflated spiritually before we know.may God help us as we also help .we need to focus on matters that matter.
-
S Bethel
Blessings and thanks for the reminder and kind words of helping to keep me focused on the right things in the midst of all business. May God continue to be our constant priority over everything else.
-
Bro. Terry Holmes
This is a very good article. You should put it on ministersmeetup too. It really spoke to me. Thanks again.
-
Mike Murray
Dear Barry:
God bless you for writing this article. It’s good for all of us to be reminded Whose we are.
If Jesus isn’t real to us, we can’t make him real to our congregations.
Thanks for blessing us.
Because He Lives!
Mike -
Orlando Holloway
Thanks Barry for the reminder that we need to constantly refocus our attention on our Lord. It never cease to amaze me how God takes care of his children even when we have gone stale.Your article ignited a need in my spirit to get back to the old pattern of a daily walk with the risen Christ so that I am energized by the washing and renewing by the word.It is so simple but so often neglected and if neglected so draining.Thanks for the gentle reminder. I will start NOW. Thank you for your loving challenge.God bless you in ministry.
Orlando -
Marlene Brown
Thank you Barry for your question. I needed to read those questions and stop and realize how much I need time by myself to sit at the feet of Jesus and just rest in Him. My life right now is stressed because of a family situation with our two adult sons who have mental illness. They are both going through a crisis right now. One has a drug problem which has been on going for a while. The other one has just come out of his marriage in the last two years.
I am blessed with a wonderful church family who prays and loves each other and stands in the gap. I know that God is with us and keeps us strong through the battles. I do love my Lord so much but it’s been hard at times to get the quiet time that I need. Thanks again God Bless. -
Dear Dr.Davies
Your question, how well my relationship is with Jesus. I will try to answer it the best I can.Reading your five point suggestions and making them positive is the way to do it. Some of those points like prayer, faith,motivation are still being practice. And the others are also practiced but to a lesser extend. The fact is, as I am getting older,body got weak with disease,I become lazy-but thank God for my wife who is strong in faith that motivates me to move forward. We ask for your prayers to know Him well. Blessing-Atepera -
munokoa dean
Kia akameitaki ia koe e Barry, na te Atua e tauturu mai ia koe e taau e rave nei no tona anoano.
Thank you very much Barry, God bless you and your wonderful Ministry.
Kia manuia/Kindest Regards
Rev Munokoa Dean -
lilika
Thank you very much Barry, this reminds me that the relationship with the Father and the Son is the most important thing. This reminds me that we cannot have faith without this relationship.
-
Salimoni Karusi
Thank you so much for the need to enhance my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I am on my way to help not only my life with Jesus Christ but share the same with other brother pastors in my country.
-
Thank you so much. Yes I need to enlarge and deepen my personal relationship with the
Lord Jesus Christ and to also encourage other Pastors. May God continue to bless your Ministry.
Seven Ways to Deal with CAVE Dwellers in Your Church
Seven Ways to Deal with CAVE Dwellers in Your Church
By Thom Rainer
They are in every church. They are critics. They are naysayers. If your church has regular business meetings, they will be the negatively outspoken people.
They often begin sentences with “I love you pastor, but . . .” And the moment you hear “but,” you cringe. You wait for the verbal assault.
Critics and naysayers are in every church. They are CAVE (Consistently Against Virtually Everything) Dwellers (This phrase originated with Curt Coffman in his work on disen-
gaged employees.). They can make your life miserable . . . unless you learn to deal with them.
I am not the best role model for dealing with CAVE dwellers. When I was a pastor, I struggled with critics and naysayers. I still do. So I asked some church leaders who, in my opinion, have a very healthy approach to these people. Here are seven things I learned from them.
- Accept the reality that every church and organization will have CAVE dwellers. You will deal with them in a more healthy fashion if you are not blindsided by them. And you will realize than the green grass of other churches may be a bit brown.
- Pray for your own attitude. I am glad Jesus did not hold my sins against me through his death on the cross. My attitude should be like His, and I should seek prayerfully to have the right attitude toward CAVE dwellers.
- Pray for the CAVE dwellers. Even if you consider them your enemy, we are supposed to pray for our enemies. Sometimes I have to ask God to give me the grace to pray for these people because they have hurt me so much.
- Stay above reproach. Don’t stoop to the negative, gossiping, bickering, and deceitful level of CAVE dwellers. Pray that God will give you the strength, wisdom, and grace to live above such attitudes and actions.
- Spend more time with positive church members. CAVE dwellers can be the squeaky wheels that demand constant oiling. If you spend too much time with these members, you will become emotionally and spiritually drained. Be intentional about spending time with church members who energize and encourage you.
- Spend more time with church leaders in other churches. You will develop invaluable friendships and camaraderie. And you will soon discover you are not alone with these issues.
- Ask other members to help you deal with CAVE dwellers. I recently heard from a pastor who did just that. He was shocked to find more than one encouraging church leader willing and ready to help him deal with these people. The comment from one of these positive members hit home: “Pastor, we did not know you were having to deal with these issues. We wish you had told us sooner.”
Yes, you will always have people in your church who seem to be consistently against virtually everything. They are emotionally draining. They are discouraging. And they never really go away.
Our challenge, in God’s power, is to deal with CAVE dwellers in the most positive and God-honoring way we can. So, how do you deal with CAVE dwellers? What would you add to the seven ways I noted above? Let me hear from you.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on November 17, 2014. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
4 comments
-
linda newman
You could also think about approaching them and making them allies; many may be left-brained analyticals whose first response to an issue is to take it apart and find potential issues to reduce risk, and they are motivated by their love for the church just as the pastor is. They may have been there, done that, have the t-shirt, and may have words of wisdom. Consult with them in advance, get their perspective, and use it or not, but if they feel heard, the comments in the meeting may go away. (I’m the worst of all possible combinations of this, a lawyer who has been a 35+ year member, been a member of every committee, and a compliance officer as part of my day job. I recognize that my analytical nature is not an inspirational gift, but it is a gift that can help anticipate problems. I show up to do the “dirty work” too, teaching sunday school, singing in the choir, cleaning up after fellowship luncheons.
-
Dear Linda Newman. Thank you so much for your comment and perspective, I too am a left- brained analytical , very much a member of the body of Christ. Yes I have learnt to temper my “Ah but….in committee meetings, but so much is achieved and runs smoothly in church because of it. Wrongly used all I did in my younger days was to stifle vision now I help dreams and vision become reality. I see all the problems 6 months before anyone else and within seconds of the idea being voiced, but with Gods help it becomes strategic thinking and facilitating , making others look good- Glory to God for all the gifts within the Body –
-
Floyd Knight
A board meeting is NEVER the time for analysis or nay-saying. The chair should control the floor and have people speak to the issue or recommendation. So called “left brain” folks should volunteer for the committee or working group which will explore and consider the issue or purchase or programmatic action. The leadership should then distribute the proposal/recommendation and the “summary” document notating the methods and/or procedures used to come to a decision or recommendation–including pros and cons. Questions regarding the same by “left brainers” who have failed to read the document before the committee meeting should be cut short and referred to the section of the document. IF they want to make comments, they should be required to specify the page and section of the summary document or recommendation. They shouldn’t take up the church board’s time and should voluntarily refrain from voting on the recommendation since they didn’t read the same before the meeting.
|——On the other hand, if recommendations and proposals come to the board without written justification and rationalization, then such proposals should be withdrawn and referred to committee or tabled. Individual responses, personal statements and proposals should also be stopped. The person should be referred to the proper committee, workgroup, or person. Such comments should not be tolerated from the floor–especially if you are following parliamentary procedures. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CRITICAL ANALYSES AND REVIEWS TAKE PLACE DURING A CHURCH BOARD MEETING;otherwise, you are running an effective board. -
THE LAST SENTENCE SHOULD HAVE READ:
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CRITICAL “AD LIB,” “SPONTANEOUS,” OR UNWRITTEN ANALYSES AND REVIEWS TAKE PLACE DURING A CHURCH BOARD MEETING;otherwise, you are not running an effective board meeting.
What Effective Pastors Do With Their Time
What Effective Pastors Do With Their Time
By
Leadership gurus will tell you that a primary skill of an effective leader is the ability to manage time for maximum productivity. Out of curiosity, our research team asked over 200 pastors to provide us an hour-by-hour calendar of a typical 168-hour week for them. Keep in mind that 168 hours represent all the hours in a week, so their reports included such mundane items as sleeping and eating.
Impressed with the Effective Leaders
Our study included 101 pastors that we called effective leaders because their churches ranked in the top five percent in conversion growth in American churches. A comparison group of pastors of similar number were leading churches that did not have significant conversion growth.
Our researchers were impressed with the time management skills of the effective pastors. Perhaps the best way to show their skills is to compare their use of time with that of the leaders of the comparison churches.
Differences in Priorities
Without comment, let us highlight some of the most significant differences between the pastors of the effective churches versus the pastors of the comparison churches. You may be surprised at some of the findings.
- Pastors of effective churches sleep slightly over six hours per day. Pastors of comparison churches sleep almost eight hours per day.
- Pastors of effective churches spend twenty-two hours in sermon preparation each week versus four hours for pastors of comparison churches.
- The effective church leaders spent ten hours each week in pastoral care compared to thirty-three hours for the comparison group pastors. Pastoral care included counseling, hospital visits, weddings, and funerals.
- Effective church leaders average five hours per week in sharing the gospel with others. Most of the comparison church pastors entered “0” for their weekly time in personal evangelism.
- Comparison church leaders spend eight hours a week – more than an hour each day – performing custodial duties at the church. The typical custodial duties included opening and closing the facilities, turning on and off the lights, and general cleaning of the building.
- Leaders of effective churches average 22 hours a week in family activities. The comparison church leaders weren’t too far behind with 18 hours of family time each week.
Priorities and Balance
The time allocation of effective leaders seems to complement the way they describe their own leadership styles. In order to accomplish what they considered priority functions, they had to sacrifice in other areas. The leaders of effective churches spent over 40 hours per week with their families and in sermon preparation time. In order to fulfill these priorities, they obviously had to let some things go.
Thus the effective leaders cannot do many of the responsibilities often expected of them as pastors. They cannot make all the hospital visits. They cannot counsel everyone. And they cannot perform all of the custodial duties that may be expected of them. But as leaders they can see that those things get done.
Leaders of effective churches thus make certain that their family and work life is balanced. And they make certain they have time to be missional and all about the Great Commission.
They also give priority in time to prayer and to preparation in God’s Word for the sermons to follow.
They almost sound like they are following the pattern of the early church leaders: “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry” (Acts 6:4, HCSB).
Biblical. Missional. Evangelistic. And powerful preaching.
How are you spending your time?
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on July 1o, 2014. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
One comment
-
-
I am a bi vocational pastor. I work a secular job and pastor. My day begins at 4:30 with prayer and getting ready for work. 10 min for reading and off I go. Listening on the way to work with Bible on CD. This is 20 min. At Work 20 min. before work begins reading in New Testament. Prayer through day. Breaks and Lunch Study some more. This is about 50 min. Home by 5:00pm Eat with family at the table and spent time with kids. Then work at church til 10 and to bed. I average about 18 to 20 hours of study and visitation a week.
-
Nine Stupid Things I Did as a Pastor
Nine Stupid Things I Did as a Pastor
By Thom Rainer
If you want to read the tale of a pastor who really did some dumb things, keep reading.
I served as pastor of four churches. It was only by the grace of God and the graciousness of the congregations that I was called and allowed to stay at those churches. I absolutely love the members of those four congregations, and I will forever be grateful to them and for them.
Frankly, I’m not sure I would give myself a passing grade as a pastor. I messed up quite a bit. I would do several things differently today. And as a point of full disclosure, my list of nine is not close to being exhaustive.
1. I neglected my prayer life and time in the Word too often. It sounds absolutely insane as I write it, but I got too busy for God. As a consequence, I operated out of my own insufficient power too many times.
2. I neglected my family too often. Paul wrote these words to Pastor Timothy: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5, HCSB). Ouch. So many times I communicated through my actions to my family that they were not as important as other church members.
3. I let the crisis of the moment overwhelm me. In doing so I did not trust in God to see me through the situation. And I did not have a longer-term perspective to understand that difficulties are only for a season.
4. I perceived most of my critics as my adversaries. Some of my critics actually had constructive input. Others were going through their own struggles, and I was a convenient target. I took criticisms personally instead of responding pastorally.
5. I competed with other churches. Shame on me. Too often I wanted my church to have a greater attendance than other churches in the area. I should have been praying for and working with those other church leaders more.
6. I neglected praying with my staff. My prayer time with my church staff was haphazard at best. The one thing we needed to do the most, we were doing the least. I was a terrible leader on that front.
7. I often worried about what others thought about me. My sole concern should have been how Christ-like I was. Too often I sought the approval of others rather than the blessings of God.
8. I often yielded to unreasonable requests and demands. Instead of spending my time doing those things that really mattered, I gave in too often to the “squeaky wheel.” I sacrificed the great in order to do the good.
9. I gave up too often. Due to frustration, exhaustion or, more often, lack of faith, I gave up on challenges too quickly. I am convinced I missed out on many victories when they were just around the corner.
Those are but a few of the stupid things I did as a pastor. Most of you can breathe a sigh of relief that I never served as your pastor.
So why I am writing these self-critical comments at this stage of my life? I pray that some of you may see something in your own lives and leadership that you can correct before it’s too late. God is able. God is willing.
I look forward to your comments.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on May 4, 2015. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
15 comments
-
Thank you for sharing. We have start a new church and it has been challenging.. thank you again for sharing your wisdom so we can stay focused.
-
Thanks for being transparent. I believe it’s part of the reason people are leaving the church today is there is not enough transparency from the pulpit.
-
Thank you for sharing this, all I can say is I have found myself there many times too. Only the grace of God and the love of the people we serve is what gets us through… God bless!
-
I could add, “I spent too much time being mad at the ones who WEREN’T there and not enough time appreciating the ones who WERE there.”
-
I’ve been pastoring now for over 10 yrs. and I still haven’t perfected it. I have found out though, that the word of God, will always prevail over any situation. Just stay with the word. I have felt rejection, experienced slander, been taken to court, you name it; but God, and His word has always brought me through. And for that, I am encouraged.
Thanks for the post. -
Thanks for sharing. It will be very helpful to some of us lay ministers. Most grateful.
-
Dear Pastor Rainer
Greetings from Africa. I have been so much blessed by your articles. Sharing your experiences is a great ministry. I am a pastor and administrator here in Africa, you have touched my life. God bless you, your family and ministry -
Thanks for sharing your downsides with others. I really appreciate the fact someone else goes thru these challenges in serving the Lord Jesus. I think I get how to serve better. God bless you
-
Thanks for sharing. This is a great lesson for all ministers and Christian leaders
-
Dear Pastor Rainer
Greetings From Haitian Community ( Norwood Church of God in Massachusetts) .Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us ,by today I will apply them in my ministry .
May God bless you and your family
Bishop Jean J Luma
-
Thanks, when I hear or see someone take a stand for being wrong, I know they are on their way to greatness. Show us oh Lord who we are and how to grow in you.
-
Dear Pastor
Thanks for sharing. This is a great lesson for all ministers and Christian leaders and especially me. I will use this in my service for Christ our Lord.God bless you, your family and Ministry,
Bishop Frank Esilaba
-
Thank you pastor for sharing with us your experiences this counts for Every ps bishops this is an eye opener for every leader in THE churches today,
Thank you -
Thank you pastor greetings from Kenya and for sharing about yourself. It is great that one can admit their faults. it gives me strength to know that the struggles are for all of us, therefore we need to uplift each other as ministers of the word of God all the earth. Its encouraging to share and enable others avoid same mistakes.
Eight Things Pastors Do When Their Churches Are in a Slump
Eight Things Pastors Do When Their Churches Are in a Slump
By Thom Rainer
The meaning of “slump” is more evident in sports. When a baseball player, for example, is in a slump, we surmise that he is not hitting as well as he was earlier in the season.
For churches, however, there is no clear definition. Indeed, some leaders wonder if it is even right to say that a church can get in a slump. Still, some pastors say they church is in a slump if they are not connecting as well with members as they once were. Others declare a slump if attendance or offering numbers are down. Still others have a more subjective sense of a slump that defies a clean or clear explanation.
But many pastors will tell you about times when their churches were in a slump. Some will admit that the slump is present tense. So I asked a number of pastors how they react when this reality hits them. What do they do to lead their churches out of this perceived slump?
The pastors shared with me eight consistent responses. I list them in the order of frequency that I have heard them.
- They sought the advice of a leader outside their specific church. Sometimes that person was the pastor of another church. On other occasions it was a denominational leader or a church consultant.
- They refocused on the vision of the church. A number of pastors indicated that the church had “lost its way.” So they spent time reminding the congregation of the vision of the church. Of course, this approach presumes the church has a clearly articulated vision.
- They led the church to more outwardly focused ministries. Some church slumps were the result of the congregation becoming too inwardly focused. One pastor led his church to “adopt” an elementary school in the area. The members became motivated and enthused as they did whatever the principal and other leaders of the school told them the school needed.
- They sought a trusted confidant to evaluate their leadership. This reaction is similar to number one. In this case, however, the problem was specifically perceived to be the leadership of the pastor.
- They spent more time in prayer. I suspect this and the next response were actually more frequent. Many pastors sought the face of God more intensely and more frequently for guidance out of the slump.
- They became more consistent in their time reading the Bible. Many pastors get into the trap of reading the Bible only to prepare sermons or lessons. I know. I’ve been there as a pastor. But pastors need the consistent nourishment of the Word of God beyond the time they spend studying it for sermons or lessons.
- They became more intentional about connecting with their members. One pastor made a commitment to hand write one letter a day to a church member, write two emails a day to a member, and make one phone call a day to a member. The purpose of each piece of communication was brief encouragement and gratitude. It took him less than 30 minutes to do all of them, and he was consistent in it four days a week. In one year’s time, he connected with 800 members.
- They set aside time on the calendar during the week to dream. Pastors are on call 24/7. Life can become hectic and frustrating. One pastor sets aside two hours a month to go to a private room to dream about the future of the church. The time is a fixture on his calendar. Sometimes he prays. Sometimes he reads about God’s work at other churches. And sometimes he writes ideas and thoughts. The process invigorates him, and he can thus lead the church with greater enthusiasm and clarity himself.
These responses to a slump could really apply to any Christian leader. In this case, I listened to pastors.
So . . . can you sense when your church is in a slump? What is it like? How do you respond?
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on September 15, 2014. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and seven grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
Thank you for sharing. We have start a new church and it has been challenging.. thank you again for sharing your wisdom so we can stay focused.
Thanks for being transparent. I believe it’s part of the reason people are leaving the church today is there is not enough transparency from the pulpit.
Thank you for sharing this, all I can say is I have found myself there many times too. Only the grace of God and the love of the people we serve is what gets us through… God bless!
I could add, “I spent too much time being mad at the ones who WEREN’T there and not enough time appreciating the ones who WERE there.”
I’ve been pastoring now for over 10 yrs. and I still haven’t perfected it. I have found out though, that the word of God, will always prevail over any situation. Just stay with the word. I have felt rejection, experienced slander, been taken to court, you name it; but God, and His word has always brought me through. And for that, I am encouraged.
Thanks for the post.
Thanks for sharing. It will be very helpful to some of us lay ministers. Most grateful.
Dear Pastor Rainer
Greetings from Africa. I have been so much blessed by your articles. Sharing your experiences is a great ministry. I am a pastor and administrator here in Africa, you have touched my life. God bless you, your family and ministry
Thanks for sharing your downsides with others. I really appreciate the fact someone else goes thru these challenges in serving the Lord Jesus. I think I get how to serve better. God bless you
Thanks for sharing. This is a great lesson for all ministers and Christian leaders
Thank you for sharing some of the stuggles, and I believe it will help somebody.
Dear Pastor Rainer
Greetings From Haitian Community ( Norwood Church of God in Massachusetts) .
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us ,by today I will apply them in my ministry .
May God bless you and your family
Bishop Jean J Luma
Thanks, when I hear or see someone take a stand for being wrong, I know they are on their way to greatness. Show us oh Lord who we are and how to grow in you.
Dear Pastor
Thanks for sharing. This is a great lesson for all ministers and Christian leaders and especially me. I will use this in my service for Christ our Lord.
God bless you, your family and Ministry,
Bishop Frank Esilaba
Thank you pastor for sharing with us your experiences this counts for Every ps bishops this is an eye opener for every leader in THE churches today,
Thank you
Thank you pastor greetings from Kenya and for sharing about yourself. It is great that one can admit their faults. it gives me strength to know that the struggles are for all of us, therefore we need to uplift each other as ministers of the word of God all the earth. Its encouraging to share and enable others avoid same mistakes.