Things You May Not Know About Ministry
 

I was talking to a friend earlier this week and the topic of Bible College came up. We had graduated from Gateway together over a decade ago and were laughing about some of the twists and turns of life. Most humorous was some of the ideas we possessed as "youngsters" regarding what ministry was about, and what life would be like as a preacher in the years to come. Needless to say, we were quite mistaken!

So, with that in mind, I thought it would be kinda neat to start a thread that may help future pastors and preachers. This thread is for those of you that feel a calling to minister - but haven't yet acted upon it.

It would be nice if we could keep this a friendly, non-standards, non-critical thread. It would be nice if some of our more experienced pastors and preachers would chime in with things "they wish someone would have told them about ministry".


I'll go first.

1. A pastor would do well to gain a basic understanding of Christian sociology and psychology.
2. Less than 50% of pastors are full-time ministers.
3. Peer pressure exists in ministry. The pressure to perform is intense.
4. Watching God work and mature new Christians is joy in action.
5. Ministry is one of the most exhausting and fulfilling experiences on earth.


PP

Hmmmmm, maybe the topic is not controversial enough?

Wouldn't this be a thread that ministers would post on unless someone had a comment about the post?

Not necessarily, any thread on AFF is open to all. Post away friend!

Maybe my initial post was too narrow? Imagine that, me, a legalist! :killinme

I would wonder where you got the stat that only 50% of pastors are full time.

Also.. is that a national stat... an org stat...

I have to disagree with point 1. I think the leading of the Holy Ghost supplies what we need to help folks. I have to admit I am fearful of the idea that we have to learn psychology and sociology in order to work for God. I am not saying it is sinful or anything, LOL. But I really think it is replacing the moving of the Spirit with the thoughts and inventions of men.

The disciples used the gifts of the Spirit as well as insight from the Spirit to work with people. They did not have colleges to attend in order to learn secular psychology, etc. I am not saying these things may not benefit one in ministry, but to say ministers HAVE TO HAVE these basic understandings is wrong in my opinion.

Now, I do not think it is analogous to the fact that we have technology today that the disciples never had, and if we use technology then.... They're two different animals altogether.

I think God's Spirit is meant to supply all we need to understand in these areas of sociology.

Org. Let me see if I can dig it up. Many pastors, like me, are bi-vocational.

Let me clarify and say that I am all for education. But when it comes to people's minds, the Spirit of God simply and definitely dealt with that in the early church by way of the insight He offers and Gifts.

As I said, psychology MAY WORK in many cases to an extent. But I think it is settling for far less than what is available to us in the Spirit.

From Barna:

The average pastoral compensation package represents just less than one-third (31%) of the median annual operating budget for Protestant churches. That proportion has remained relatively constant since the mid-Nineties.

Compensation Varies Among Churches

The Barna survey indicated that certain types of pastors receive larger compensation packages than do others. Education makes a substantial difference in compensation: seminary graduates receive an average of 38% more compensation than do Senior Pastors who did not graduate from a seminary. Currently about three out of every five Senior Pastors (63%) has a seminary degree.

Denominational affiliation also impacts earnings. The most prolific Protestant denominational grouping - Baptist churches, which include more than 20 different Baptist sects and constitute about one-quarter of all Protestant churches - has pastors who earn just slightly more than the national average (about $300 per year more). In comparison, among the least-highly compensated pastors are those serving charismatic and Pentecostal churches; their median package was 16% below the national average. At the high end of the compensation scale are pastors ministering in mainline churches, whose package is worth nearly 14% more than the norm. Pastors of mainline churches - i.e., the Episcopal, American Baptist, Presbyterian (USA), Lutheran, United Methodist and United Church of Christ congregations - average $45,510. The higher average is partially explained by congregations that are larger than the national average and pastors who have been in ministry longer than the pastors of other types of churches

I'll change it to say "it would be helpful to have a basic understanding of Christian sociology and psychology".

I do think you are right about the leading of the Spirit, but some men enter ministry with very little people skills.

No! An understanding of wicked worldly philosophies is not required. A thorough understanding of the sin nature is a must.
Interesting.
I don't doubt it but we can attribute it to the sinful nature.
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that would apply to anyone obeying God's call on one's life.

I can agree with that.

Hey Bro,

What do you wish you would have known?

From the perspective of a pastor's son growing up!

1. Must be able to roll with the punches.
2. Must realize that you can't please everybody.
3. Must know when to hold, and when to fold.
4. There are battles not worth winning!
5. Don't let them ever see you sweat! :)
6. Must show a possitive attitude no matter what is troubling you!
7. There are some preachers that you think are your friends, but will disappear when trouble comes!
8. There are other preachers that will come to your rescue that you didn't expect!
9. Must never tell your children to act right because of how it will look on you!
10. Must be prepared to take credit when things are going well, and blame when things are not!

Great points Steinway man!

On point ... Pianoman ... my dad epitomized everyone one of these.

Hey ... here's a novel thought ... act Christ-like.

I'm not a minister, but agree with the people skills thing bro.

Thanks guys! :)

I was in prison ministry for a time so I feel that I can give some advice to those seeking to go into ministry. My main piece of advice would be to be prepared to have the things you preach attacked by the enemy of your soul. Those in ministry have to deal with spiritual warfare on a level that most saints never see. Be prepared for the battle. Your weaknesses will be magnified by the forces of darkness against you. Stay prayed up and be accountable to those who have gone before you in ministry. More than likely they have faced and won the battles that await you and they will be a valuable source of direction and strength for you.

When I started out, I wished I had known to not allow certain saints to occupy my mind so much who simply would not receive from God and grow. It often drove me bananas to try to help certain folks get hold of God when they incessantly refused, but attended every service. I became so concerned that I realized I was starting to abandon the ministry to others who did desire to grow and go into all God had to offer.

I had to settle with the fact that my job was to throw out the seed and each person was responsibile for it after that, not me. I had to settle with the fact that some are 30, some 60 and others 100 fold christians. I was so badly wanting EVERYONE to grow in Christ!

Another thing that is so important, which Daniel Alicea alluded to as well, is FULLNESS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT!



All the gifts and talents are sounding brass and tinkling cymbals without the FRUIT.

again I am not a minister but as this was mentioned on another thread it made me want to ask.

What about the threat of putting yourself on a pedastel. As in the role of an authoritarian wouldn't one want to remain extremely humble as to not become an idol to some?

this probably doesn't make sense

A song a friend of mine wrote goes...


A Jesus man is a lonely man, and he walks all alone
A Jesus man is a hated man, with no place to call home
But a Jesus man is a powerful man, and all he's gotta do is just speak
A Jesus man, a Jesus man, is what I wanna be

What happened to you?





:D:D

This ain't like Jesus...

It certainly does make sense. It is tempting to abuse the position as a minister to enjoy "lording it" over God's heritage. Some have and do. I believe it is so vital to ever rebuke the spirit of pride. I believe the Lord's prayer covers all the vital elements of prayer, including the need to not stray from the narrow path and be led into temptation on the broad road that leads to destruction. "Lord, keep me humble, and do not let me stray from righteousness."

Some like the alleged "limelight" of being seen before people. That is why Paul told Timothy to lay hands suddenly on no man for ordination, and to instead KNOW THOSE who labour among us.

Imo...only of course...

A church usually takes on the persona of the pastor. They emulate his actions, personality, and spirituality.

Folks will naturally put their pastor on a pedestal. IMO, a pastor should counter that with humility and grace.

When a pastor starts enjoying the pedestal too much, is when problems start happening!

Why not??

This is very true....also the Pastor's wife enjoying the Power pedestal can cause many problems...

There are some churches that love the Ministry...and some that worship the ministry... I've been in and seen both....

This is pretty good.

Ministry is very lonely at times.

Which leads me to my number 6.

6. Be friendly with God's people, but be careful not to be too friendly. Familiarity breeds contempt.

Bump for REVRANDY

Jesus was extremely social....had twelve men with him most of the time.. not a loner... spent a lot of time at folks houses... and travelled frequently...

the reason familiarity breeds contempt is because people find out who you really are.... and if there's contempt there might be reason for you to change...

I don't know if I really believe this anymore...

Jesus definitely had times of aloneness and even lonliness.

A pastor should also HIGHLY ESTEEM the opinions of biblical scholars. There really has been too much, "All I need is God and the Bible" sort of talk from self-proclaimed preachers who spout out utter nonsense. This does not mean we accept everything a scholar produces to us, but it is wisdom to receive a multitude of counsellors.

One preacher spoke of Isaiah having preached to Sodom and Gomorrah, because he read this:

Sodom and Gomorrah rose and fell long before Isaiah was born, back in the days of Abraham! And a preacher mistook the reference above to refer to an idea that Isaiah actually preached in those cities. Had he researched the passage and observed some ideas from a good commentary or scholarly work, he would have realized how incorrect he was.

The idea that commentaries and references are nonsense is rife amongst many apostolic ministers, but is ridiculous in actuality. I send the motion that minister should use some good years in bible school.

I thought so too. It really is a good ole "Suthern gospil" song.

I agree, as long as it is accredited.

I'm not saying there weren't times.. but he did travel extensively with the twelve... went to sinners houses and dinners... went to wedding parties...

Part of the reason folks can't get along socialibly is that they will see you for who you are...
and you them...