Jude 2

Let's say that you have the opportunity to give a first-time COGOP pastor some advice....and they are LISTENING....

What advice would you give this "first time" pastor?

Get a trusted mentor at least 15 years older than him/her and preferably from another denomination... someone who will cut through the Ecclesiastical crud and speak truth to them, and will allow them to be honest in success and in failure while holding them lovingly accountable.

I agree whole-heartily with Pastor Gary. We have been very blessed to have a few of those mentors in our ministry and it has helped us be who we are today.

Tithe and report.

Really, don't be afraid to run someone off.

1. PLAN and DO good "seasonal reading..." Stay informed, educated, and interesting...this helps you avoid "repeats"....

2. Make sure you become friends (or at least acquainted) with the local funeral home diretors, and hospital chaplains---in case they ever need your services....

3. Develop good strong friendships with people whom you trust with your life.

4. Help your children develop a strong love and affection for the FAMILY OF GOD....there are no better relationships ON THE PLANET---or at least there shouldn't be...

5. Love the young, love the old, and love the "in betweens"....it is THEIR local church too!

6. Read your Bible for more than just "studying for the sermon..." This is God's Word to YOU as well as to your congregation...

7. Make plenty of friends OUTSIDE the denomination...they will enrich your life...

8. Always, ALWAYS keep your word....ALWAYS....be careful what promises you make to others....

9. Always return your phone calls....even if just to say, "I'm really busy right now, but I do want to talk with you...."

10. NEVER, NO NEVER, "break a confidence." If someone told you something in STRICT confidence...it should stay that way until you reach heaven...

1) Never believe your own "press reports"---you aren't nearly as GOOD as some will say, and you aren't nearly as BAD as others will accuse you of being....

2) Never read anonymous notes/cards/letters....period. And don't let anyone else read them either....

3) Learn to sing....

4) Always have a "pastoral prayer" in your Sunday Morning worship gathering....that's when YOU are talking to the GREAT SHEPHERD on behalf of HIS sheep that HE has entrusted to you.

5) Don't use your spouse (if married) or your children (if you have any---regardless of their age) as sermon illustrations---unless you have their permission PRIOR to the service to do so...

6) Sit on the front pew occasionally during the service BEFORE you bring the Word of God....

7) Learn to write short, meaningful notes to people...when appropriate....and ESPECIALLY after being invited into someone's home, or receiving a gift of any kind...

When small children want to talk to you, get down on "their level" so they can look you in the eye...and you can look them in the eye...THEY WILL REMEMBER how much their pastor loves them...Their parents will remember it even more!

9) Never send someone else in the church to do what YOU should be doing yourself.....and never do what others should be doing, if at all possible....and learn the difference between those two concepts....

10) Your kindness and graciousness will always be remembered...but your lack of regard and indifference to someone (even once) will be remembered EVEN LONGER....

Great stuff Phil! Also, I might add. Do not "force" your wife to take a leadership position in the church unless she feels called and willing to do so. And don't let "anyone" else insist that the Pastor's wife has an obligation to do "xyz" since no one else is willing to do it.

Been there...

pay attention to those older than you in ministry and those over you in athority. they know more than you think. gleen from them and listen twice as much as you speak. remember your a servent and a servent leader is much more important than just a leader. pray more than you preach, study more than you visit and remember its about God and people.

Listen to the indwelling Spirit.

Jesus said in Matthew 9:13

13. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Yell as loud as you can when you're preaching...Spit on at least the first three rows...And beat the podium as often as you can!

scooter wrote:Tithe and report.

Really, don't be afraid to run someone off.

Why on earth would you want to run anyone off? Thank GOD you are not my pastor!

Phil, as a pastor for almost 25 years I know what Scooter meant by his comment...And I'm pretty sure you do also. We don't intentionally run people off from our churches but there are some people who will fit better somewhere else.

I'm sure that a hyper spirit filled, tongue talker would not fit into your church and your leadership would have no issue showing them the back door. Andy Stanley says that as a leader/pastor you can't be afraid to hurt someone's feelings...Especially if it's for the greater church body.

Many of us (CoGoP) were taught that we had to keep everyone...To shut the back door...But, as Craig Groeschel says, "Even the body had a back door!"

free wrote:Phil, as a pastor for almost 25 years I know what Scooter meant by his comment...And I'm pretty sure you do also. We don't intentionally run people off from our churches but there are some people who will fit better somewhere else.

I'm sure that a hyper spirit filled, tongue talker would not fit into your church and your leadership would have no issue showing them the back door. Andy Stanley says that as a leader/pastor you can't be afraid to hurt someone's feelings...Especially if it's for the greater church body.

Many of us (CoGoP) were taught that we had to keep everyone...To shut the back door...But, as Craig Groeschel says, "Even the body had a back door!"

If someone leaves of their own volition because of the TRUTH.....then it is between them and God...

But purposely "running someone off".....I have trouble with that....and so should every pastor....

free wrote:Phil, as a pastor for almost 25 years I know what Scooter meant by his comment...And I'm pretty sure you do also. We don't intentionally run people off from our churches but there are some people who will fit better somewhere else.

I'm sure that a hyper spirit filled, tongue talker would not fit into your church and your leadership would have no issue showing them the back door. Andy Stanley says that as a leader/pastor you can't be afraid to hurt someone's feelings...Especially if it's for the greater church body.

Many of us (CoGoP) were taught that we had to keep everyone...To shut the back door...But, as Craig Groeschel says, "Even the body had a back door!"

If someone leaves of their own volition because of the TRUTH.....then it is between them and God...

But purposely "running someone off".....I have trouble with that....and so should every pastor....

I have never intentionally "run" anyone off but I have had to talk to a few people in my years of pastoring and tell them that I thought they'd fit better at a different church. I've even recommended churches to them.