It’s been a long time since I was a young pastor, but I still remember how exciting–-and sometimes difficult—those days were. As I think about the young pastors-to-be I’m training at Southeastern Seminary, here are some things I’d love to give them for Christmas:
- An older pastoral mentor. No matter how old we get, we need someone who invests in us. And, we need someone who’s committed to the task enough to build a genuine relationship with us.
- An example of a pastor who finishes the race well. That pastor might well be the mentor in #1, but a young generation who has seen so many pastors fall need to see faithfulness to the end. They need examples.
- A few genuine friends. Sometimes, sadly, they’re hard to find in pastoral ministry. A few good friends, though, can encourage us to press on even in the most difficult times. It’s good to know we’re not alone.
- A loving, supportive church for their first church. I’ve written about this important topic in the past. A young pastor who first experiences a good church always knows there are other good churches out there—no matter what he might face.
- A livable wage. I’m not arguing against a bi-vocational position, but I am arguing that congregations need to take care of their pastors. Even rookie pastors shouldn’t have to worry about putting food on the table.
- An annual paid international mission trip. Young pastors will be better pastors—and their churches will be stronger churches—if their hearts beat for the nations. I wish for every young pastor to have a church who sends him overseas annually.
- A strong marriage that flourishes even under the pressures of ministry. You can work through a lot in leading a church as long as your home life is strong. All of us need a safe, affirming, fun place to call home.
- Wisdom to navigate all the things pastors face—and backbone to stand for truth. Had you told me as a young pastor we’d be facing all we face today in our changing culture, I likely would have laughed back then. Today, pastors need wisdom and strength every second of every day.
- Glimpses into lives changed through their ministry. That begins with their having the privilege of leading others to Christ and baptizing them. Every pastor ought to have the joy of sharing in this joyous experience (and, if you need some encouragement, here’s the story of my mom’s becoming a believer at age 79).
- A clear commitment TODAY to finish well in the end. Nobody finishes well in the end by accident. They finish well in the long run because they’re committed to finishing well today . . . and tomorrow . . . and every day that stretches before them. I would give them this gift so they can become gift #2 above to another generation of pastors.
What would you give to young pastors this Christmas?
This list is really great. It’s good for pastors of any age. By God’s great grace I had most of these things when I started but it would have been very helpful to have a list of them. Thanks again for your insight and faithfulness with this website.
“5. A livable wage. I’m not arguing against a bi-vocational position, but I am arguing that congregations need to take care of their pastors.”
Chuck, I agree for the most part on all of your recommendations with the exception of number 5. You state, “I’m not arguing against a bi-vocational position” and then go on to intimate that those churches who are unable to provide “A livable wage” are not taking “care of their pastors.” There are simply too many churches across our land that are not able to provide a living wage and yet, they are faithful to provide their pastor the best they have. To intimate they are not trying to “take care of their pastors” is to insult these obedient Christians and to insult the biblical strategy of bivocationalism itself as practiced by Paul, the tentmaker.
I understand that it is your wish that all pastors could enjoy the opportunity of serving a church that can fully fund their pastor’s needs but unfortunately, that is not ever going to be the reality in the Kingdom. There will always need to be those pastors who can supplement their resources through alternate financial streams of funding. Bivocationalism is not only biblical but it is preferred by many who report that it allows them to be more relational with their community AND it affords them the confidence to speak without equivocation based on their financial dependency to the church. I applaud the fact that many of our seminary students are now graduating with an intentional calling to bivocational opportunities. The churches that will call these pastors need to be applauded as well, not dismissed because they are not financially solvent enough to provide a fully-funded package for their pastor.
Thank you for an insightful list of Christmas wishes for pastors AND for the opportunity to recognize there are many healthy and faithful churches that function best when their pastors serve bivocationally.
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Joe, I appreciate your comments. I actually agree with you about the significance of bivocational ministry; in fact, I’ve affirmed it on this site (https://chucklawless.com/2019/08/update-12-reasons-i-affirm-bivocational-ministry/)–and I’m convinced we need to affirm this role as a legitimate one. I’m simply saying that churches need to do their best to help their pastors. Even if the position is a bivocational one, I’m encouraging churches to give sacrificially so their portion of a pastor’s overall income recognizes his work. Again, thanks for your thoughts.
Chuck, thanks for responding.
Yes, I agree that we need to encourage churches to do all they can to care for their pastor. We live in a day when the respect and recognition of importance of pastors is not what it was just a few years ago. All churches need to step up and do the best they can, regardless of their size. Our pastors are under so much pressure in this culture.
Thank you for challenging us to think about issues that many would often rather not think about.
Blessings, brother.
Dr. Lawless I agree with your fifth point wholeheartedly. It’s true that Paul went to making tents with Aquila and Priscilla but Acts 18:5 says: “ But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.”
It seems to me that Paul worked as a tent maker when he had to but far preferred to work exclusively spreading the gospel. Paul also says this in 1 Corinthians 9:14 “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” No doubt pastors may need to work other jobs from time to time but a church should do all it can to pay its Pastor a “living wage.”