God has been good to me over 40+ years of ministry. As I think about those blessings, here are some I long for young preachers to experience:
- Churches who just love them—not wear them out or beat them up. The churches I’ve led have hardly been perfect, but I knew they loved me. In fact, I can’t fully relate to a pastor who has been torn up by a congregation—though I can prayerfully sympathize.
- Lay leaders who pray for them regularly and sincerely. I can still name church members in every church who I knew were regularly taking my name to the Father. I can’t explain how comforting it is to have those prayer warriors in your corner.
- Leaders who confront them when necessary, but who do it in Christian love. I’ve had church members whose critique I welcomed because I knew how much they loved me. They could confront me and somehow make me feel loved and grateful.
- A congregation who supports their further training—even paying for some or all of it for the sake of the kingdom. The church who facilitates advanced education for their pastor is making an investment in the kingdom of God no matter where their pastor may serve in the years to come.
- Grace and mercy when they aren’t the wisest leaders. All of us grow into leadership, and most of us learn those lessons the hard way—by our failures. I pray young preachers will have church members like mine, who extended grace when I led poorly.
- Opportunities to do missions work in North America and around the world. Many young pastors can’t afford such a trip, but their church can help them with costs. Sending them early in their ministry will likely mark their heart with a Great Commission passion that seldom wanes.
- Church members with the gift of encouragement. I’ve had members in the past who wrote me notes, and now I have folks who send me texts. Every young preacher needs that kind of support; even one uplifting message can help him push through opposition and discouragement.
- Wiser pastors who walk beside them. Now that I know the value of having such support, I wish I would have had that kind of friend during my first pastorate. Many, many times I wanted to talk to someone but was not sure where to find that person.
Veteran preachers, what would you add to this list?