"50 things I would do - If I were a Pastor"

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Sam

I remember hearing the pastor of the Willow Creek Church (not sure of his name) say that it takes him about 20 hours to prepare a sermon. Earlier tonight I presented a 40 minute Bible Study for our midweek service. I had a page of notes and passed out copies to the folks that were there. I pretty well followed the notes but there was interaction with people there also. I probably spent 10-15 hours on preparation.

I've also taught where preparation was more prayer than trying to put something down on paper to present.

A sermon/Bible Study might come in a few seconds but some times it takes hours to work it into a presentable format.

I remember one sermon I preached in a small church about an hour east of here. I had prayed and sought the Lord but had no thoughts organized, no notes and no sermon prepared. I went to the meeting just knowing that I was going to preach on the Holy Ghost. I don't remember the text I used (I just remember opening up the Bible and reading something) or what I said or how long I preached. Just all of a sudden I realized that I was finished with the message and I stopped. That night 2 or 3 received the Holy Ghost baptism and there were only about 25 people there. Every so often I think about that. I don't even know if that church is there any more.

And see Sam that is what I am talking about.

The preparation time.

Now if you keep those notes and organize them well.

The next time you talk on that subject it might only take you 2 hours to make it up to date.

The whole church can tell when the prepartion has not been applied.

Just as a good intelligent customer knows when you are feeding them a line of june.....

Sam you get my thought.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

You're in a dream world.

I am!

Again I am not speaking to you and your congregation.

My thoughts are my own and from my experiences.

My 50 things I would do were in response to someone asking me.

If you were pastor what would you do.

I would like to see a list of 50 things you "do" already "do".

Since I am not a pastor and you are....

[Neck]

Originally Posted by pentecostalguy

That is simply amazing! I think that speaks volumes about your uncle. There aren't many Pastors out there who would even bother learning the names of their members if their church was that large.

There are those who know your name. And there are those who can make you feel comfortable. A minister should be one or the other.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

Neck,

I appreciate the spirit of your post, but I don't and won't do your suggestions as God has made us different with various gifting and administrations of those gifts. But in referring to your business, does your product change? If not then you don't have to worry about notes because your product line doesn't change.

In the case of Pastoring, of course our ultimate product Jesus doesn't change, but scripture and truth is an endless gold mine that sometimes can't be recalled without some support or help.

In the case of being a bi-vocational pastor that preaches 3xs a week I need notes, sermon series helps and other means at my disposal, I am sorry if that is not up to your standard but that is my reality and feel God approves.

Again my 50 things I would do.

Does not mean that you or anyone else needs to follow these guidelines.

When the moment comes and the time comes.

I will go in with a plan.

God will always make changes.

However my changes would never be retreat...

[EA]

Originally Posted by Neck

I am!

Again I am not speaking to you and your congregation.

My thoughts are my own and from my experiences.

My 50 things I would do were in response to someone asking me.

If you were pastor what would you do.

I would like to see a list of 50 things you "do" already "do".

Since I am not a pastor and you are....

1. Talk less, listen more.
2. Surround myself with men who have pastored successfully.
3. Prepare good sermon notes.
4. Teach people that they do not need 24/7 counseling from a pastor, they need to use their brain and their knees.
5. Find the best resources available to become better at what I do.
6. Attend conferences and workshops about my calling.
7. Pray without ceasing,
8. Fast.
9. Read my Bible.
10. Recognize that I do not know it all, and that I need help.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Neck, you go ahead and preach without notes at your church.

You will end up with malnourished saints.

Or no saints.

Tell me how I can step into a board room and white board 10 converged technologies, hardware and software.

Talk fluently with engineers and VP's.

But not preach a 30 minute sermon that I would be just as prepared.

Again I am talking about myself.

Your statement does not leap to the page with any first hand experience on who I am...

I have sat in church for the past 40 years and seen reams of paper flipping and still seen malnourished churches.

Notes don't bring the meat.

The meat is in the preparation.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

1. Talk less, listen more.
2. Surround myself with men who have pastored successfully.
3. Prepare good sermon notes.
4. Teach people that they do not need 24/7 counseling from a pastor, they need to use their brain and their knees.
5. Find the best resources available to become better at what I do.
6. Attend conferences and workshops about my calling.
7. Pray without ceasing,
8. Fast.
9. Read my Bible.
10. Recognize that I do not know it all, and that I need help.

Very good someone has a goal and plan.

Now can some stop ripping me for my goals and plans?

[Stephanas]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I've had an open door policy for over 25 yrs and it has never caused me any problems. I don't have anyone who wants to be the pastor's buddy. I am friendly with everyone and try to take every family out to eat sometime. Obviously, I can't do it all the time, but I do try to connect with each one in some way.

Connecting with each one in some way is one thing, allowing anybody who wants to take up your time free access is another. I've had people show up and say, "My wife's at the doctor and I had to kill some time so I thought I'd drop by and see you."

[Stephanas]

Originally Posted by Neck

Some of you guys would never make in the business world.

Where we work 80 hours a week and think that is normal.

I think many of these points have given me what I needed...

80 hours a week? normal?

the only way to work 80 hours a week is to completely neglect your family.

Do the math. To work an honest 80 hours you have to leave home at 6:30am and not arrive back home until 9:00pm and do that six days a week.

Now if you're talking about a busy week, we all have those, but normal? only if you don't care about ever seeing your kids.

[Parkbench]

I've been under pastors who refered to their notes frequently, got their point across and feed the sheep wonderfully.

I've also observed some who read their entire sermon, word for word and stating God has given them the thought while in prayer or by speaking directly to them. The sermon was a UPC Sunday School Adult lesson or from other authors.

A UPC Word of Flame lesson will work if it's prayed over, altered to meet the needs of the saints and delivered with a mixture of pastor's own thoughts and worded his/her way. .

I'd not expect a child to sit and grow under a Sunday School teacher who reads not only the entire lesson but also reads the lesson activities. Once in awhile doesn't hurt but not Sunday after Sunday.

It's certainly understandable for a pastor to enter the pulpit unprepared. This is bound to happen from time to time. However, for it to be on a regular basis shows lack of commitment.

I have also seen someone stand up and take their time to read the Word of God only and not offer any comments and suddenly the air is charged and peoples lives are touched.

My hat is off to the many pastors and their wives who are doing their best. My feet balk though when I sense a pastor refuses to prepare a home cooked meal from time to time.