Moderators lazarus Posted June 3, 2006 Moderators Share Posted June 3, 2006 As of July 1st I will become the new senior pastor of a church up the road from where I am now. I am currently a youth pastor.I guess I have to start becoming less irresponsible and more "pastor-ish". Any words of wisdom as I enter a my new distict. They can be lighthearted, serious, off the wall, feel free. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted June 3, 2006 Administrators Share Posted June 3, 2006 Go, Lazarus!!! (cheering section) Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Don't let them fool ya'! Everyone is a child at heart (even the one's who don't admit it). So, be young, be vibrant! Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you If you're young at heart For its hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind If you're young at heart You can go to extremes with impossible schemes You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams And life gets more exciting with each passing day And love is either in your heart or on its way Don't you know that its worth every treasure on earth To be young at heart For as rich as you are its much better by far To be young at heart And if you should survive to 105 Look at all you'll derive out of being alive Then here is the best part You have a head start If you are among the very young at heart And if you should survive to 105 Look at all you'll derive out of being alive Then here is the best part You have a head start If you are among the very young at heart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Keep the youthful outlook Laz. NEVER EVER become staid, dry and dull. Congregations need to be stirred up to stay lively and active. Having watched our new pastor of 3 months go through the steps of fitting in and making the church his home I'll add this tidbit. Some church bodies are soooooo starved for direction that they can eat you alive with the want of attention. Remember to get enough sleep. Get home for your meals with the family and set time limits for calling (excepting true emergencies). JMHO <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/monkey.gif" alt="" /> Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Amelia, as a pastor's "kid" I can definately second that opinion, otherwise people will call 24x7 unless you have some "office hours". The pastor's job is rewarding and wonderful but also very demanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Taylor--I agree about "office hours." A good friend of mine was criticized for having hours he was unavailable except in emergency--though he has been at the church now for about 8 years. Another retired pastor friend told me that you have to take "time off" with the kids--he had X time per day that was to play with his son--catch, football, talk, whatever his son wanted to do. And yet another pastor friend who moved from being an assistant pastor to being a youth pastor at one church and head pastor at a startup church learned (or at least was in the process of learning) that you can't possibly do everything the church/conference wants you to do. You have to set limits and hold them. This is a little difference because it was education, but when my husband was interviewed for a principal job in a church school, the board asked him where in his list of priorities would the school be. He said #1 is God; #2 is family; #3 is the school. They were a little taken aback, as they wanted to hear #2/3 reversed. However, they did hire him, and he held to that commitment. He still does here in HK. Your family commitment has to somehow come before the church, whatever form that takes as a pastor (and I'd guess it's different for every one). Don't become too "pastor-ish" (whatever that means). They hired you the way you are--don't change to be whatever you think they want you to be--be yourself. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> Don't become too "pastor-ish" (whatever that means). They hired you the way you are--don't change to be whatever you think they want you to be--be yourself <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> I could not agree more! Over my many years I have experienced many, many pastors. Some did not appeal to me one little bit -- but, for other members of the congregation, they were just what they needed -- and there have been lasting friendships. On the other hand, some of my favourite pastors have had enemies in the same churches! God made us all individuals, and that includes pastors. You will not find a perfect church, and yet, for at least some of the people in that church, you will be the perfect pastor! Be yourself! Feed the flock on the Word of God, and, yes sermons you had prepared for your youth will, most probably, be enjoyed by the seniors. Keep in touch with the youth of your new church, even if there is also a youth pastor to take the burden of the responsibility. Yes, take time out for your own family, and, if possible, be hospitable. One of my favourite pastors used to make a habit of inviting a "mixed multitude" of church members to his home on one Sabbath most months. It would be a simple meal, lots of chatting, a bit of laughter -- and the members went home feeling that they were, indeed, noticed by the pastor, and felt honoured to be invited to his home -- even if that was the only time it happened. Within a 12 month period, his aim was that every member of his church would have had Sabbath lunch at his home at least once. Needless to say, when he eventually accepted a call to pastor a church on the other side of Australia, it was a very emotional farewell -- both from the pastor and the congregation. God bless in your new church. Beryl Quote "Grace is God doing for us, in us and through us that which He requires of us but which is impossible for us to do in or for ourselves." But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Jeannieb43 Posted June 4, 2006 Moderators Share Posted June 4, 2006 Some great suggestions here, Lazarus. The only thing I would add is to BE ORGANIZED. That means that you'll have weekly staff meetings at the church [even if the "staff" includes only yourself and a part-time secretary; but it's especially important if you have an associate pastor or a paid treasurer, for example]. The staff needs to be included in your planning for the schedule, the problems of the church, etc. And this time needs to be sacred -- no phone calls taken during that hour [message machine to answer stating "Staff Meeting in Progress, please leave a message"]. And in this staff meeting you can DELEGATE responsibility. The pastor's job is extremely time-consuming. And as everyone before me has said, you need to prioritize so you maintain your own health and your family's routine. You can't personally accomplish every single task; so delegate! One of my favorite pastors believed that preaching the Sabbath sermons constituted at least 50% of his job description. He himself always preached at least 3 Sabbaths out of every month. So since it was 50% of his job description, he reserved 20 hours a week for research, study and sermon prep -- during which time he did not take phone calls or other interruptions. Otherwise, sermons begin to get stale and the members can tell you haven't had enough time to prepare, this week. Another trick I've noticed: The pastor is "betrayed" by the illustrations he uses. One of our former pastors always used illustrations from old Star Trek episodes. It was obvious to all of us that he was a "Trekkie." We used to debate about how many hours a week he had spent on "Trekkie" reruns. But even though [i understand] each of those Star Trek episodes usually has a moral, we were not impressed when our pastor used more Star Trek stories than Scripture texts. Well, just rambling here... Blessings on you, Lazarus. I know you'll do a great work for the Lord. [Oh, P.S. Somebody mentioned that it's impossible to keep up with all the "busy work" imposed by the Conference. I couldn't agree more! Some of the scorekeeping is just busy work. Your outreach will bring the best results if it's the most reflection of your own personality and character -- small groups, community classes, etc., sometimes, rather than big expensive "efforts".] But from my limited experience, I can heartily agree: Bringing souls to Christ is the most thrilling experience on this earth. Just my :2cents: Quote Jeannie<br /><br /><br />...Change is inevitable; growth is optional.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lazarus Posted June 10, 2006 Author Moderators Share Posted June 10, 2006 hey peeps, Thanks for the words of wisdom. I will reflect and pray about all your responses. Please keep me in your prayers as I take on this new assignment. My first step, as you can see is to change my avitar! This one is more senior pastor-ish right??? Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olger Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 Every one in your new church needs love. There can be a difference between what God expects of us and what others think we should be. Let the bible define what you should be. Maintain moral purity in all things! brother Gerry Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whbae Posted June 11, 2006 Share Posted June 11, 2006 lazarus, What do you mean "pator-ish"? I really like your opinion regarding this matter. I am disappointed with many pastors as I have my own opinion as to what a pastor should be, however, I would like to hear from you. What differentiate a senior pastor from a youth pastor? Won Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted June 11, 2006 Members Share Posted June 11, 2006 Be a shepherd and not a hireling. Sheep may or may not know the difference, but lambs don't have a clue. []http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/Rudywoofs/sheep.gif[/] Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lazarus Posted June 12, 2006 Author Moderators Share Posted June 12, 2006 </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> whbae said: lazarus, What do you mean "pator-ish"? I really like your opinion regarding this matter. I am disappointed with many pastors as I have my own opinion as to what a pastor should be, however, I would like to hear from you. What differentiate a senior pastor from a youth pastor? Won <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> Well i'm using the term "pastorish" in a tongue in cheek kinda way. There is a steriotypical image of a pastor that by trying to conform to it many pastors surpress their creativity, boldness, humour and passion for the type of ministry they are called to. A pastor is simply one who provides spiritual care for people. This will manifest itself in many ways. He She many have to take care of a physical need before he can provide the spiritual care. Its a complex and multifaceted role. At its heart its about caring for people in and outside the church. I'm not being sacrastic but a youth pastor focuses primarily on youth and the senior pastor had a broader area of responsibilty. As A youth pastor I don't chair the board, take a leading role in casting the vision, I'm not the primary pulpit messenger as senior pastor might be. When in that position the nature of the job changes but it depends also on the size of the church and the cultural context. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Laz, I love your new avatar. Boondocks is one of my fav toons. <img src="/adventist/images//graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whbae Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 lazarus, A pastor should have a strong back bone where he can stand on without buckling to the pressure from some group. He should be a spiritual leader first and social person next. I have seen many cases the role is reversed. Most popular pastors are the ones who run the church as though it is a social club. Respect to God during worship hour is almost gone and it is the pastors' responsibility to restore to its proper place. I have seen a youth pastor in my local church. He comes to church in his sport shirt on Sabbath, yet dresses himself up for a dinner party. I have seen many like him. Why is it so difficult for them to dress up in the house of God where the airconditioning runs on a hot days, and heated during the cold winter days. A prominent person who runs a tv ministry emailed me to my question that it is uncomfortable to wear shirt and tie. This seems to me the reason for many who come to church dressed down. Jesus sacrificed His life so that we can get eternal life. Is it too much to be uncomfortable for couple of hours during the worship hour? Many adventists including ministers do not read the Adventist Review which published several articles about an attitude in the house of God. In fact, Mrs.White recommanded that we should have a special cloth for the Sabbath. Why is it that we have to dress up to attend a wedding, party or some secular activities, but when come meeting with God we are so careless and do not pay our due respect to Him? I think it behooves ministers to inform their congregations to respect God the Creator. Our church has been confirmed too much to this world! Won Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleverdics Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Laz I do not know if God sent this for you, but I wrote a letter this morning and posted it on my web for all to see, on precisely what you have posted about, being "Pastorish". I hope you will read the letter and chew on it some. I wrote this letter long before I went online and logged into Club Adventist, so please do not think I wrote it just for you. It had nothing to do with you, directly, when I wrote it. Please have a look at Church Fathers I look forward to your response. Everyday Pastor Quote Being Christian is really simple. Look after your family and your mates, feel sorry for the idiots and leave the rest up to God. She'll be right mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lazarus Posted June 13, 2006 Author Moderators Share Posted June 13, 2006 </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> whbae said: He should be a spiritual leader first and social person next. I have seen many cases the role is reversed. Most popular pastors are the ones who run the church as though it is a social club. <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> Hey i'm interested to know what running a church like a social club would look like. I don't think being a spiritual leader and social can be easily separated from each other. Jesus very often used social situations to teach spiritual truth. He was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard becasue he was always at social gatherings! Luke 15:1-2 gives an interesting insight into the ministry of Jesus and who was attracted to it and who was repulsed by it. </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> I have seen a youth pastor in my local church. He comes to church in his sport shirt on Sabbath, <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> I have to confess to you that I preached in JEANS a few months ago. I pastor in quite a large, traditional SDA church!!! We looked at this suject a few months ago in the thread "I think I'm gonna get fired" or something like that. My guess is that I would be one of those who you think is causing the problem <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lazarus Posted June 13, 2006 Author Moderators Share Posted June 13, 2006 Hey I read your letter The spirit has just confirmed to me something that God has been teaching me in my ministry in the last 10 months. I have had the experience of being a chaplain in a local hospital. God has taught me how important it is to simply care for people. Its good to preach, teach, but God has called me to offer pastoral care. To show the love of Christ to all that I come into contact with in a pastoral capacity. Very often we are concerned with being simply being right or setting someone/something right and miss the real need of the one infront of us. I feel your experience from much of what you have not said as much as what you have said. You have walked the same road that Jesus walked in many ways. I was meant to read your letter. God spoke to me through it Peace Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
there buster Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 If we believe that salvation means "having a saving relationship with Jesus," then building relationships is the business the church is in. That means a pastor needs to build and model healthy relationships with his family and his parishioners. As 1 John 4:20 reminds us, our relationship with each other mirrors our relationship with God. Quote “the slovenliness of our language makes it easier to have foolish thoughts.” George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 After reading the letter, I realized that the best pastor I have come in contact with (mostly at a distance, but I was in his church about 2 years) was not a great preacher--adequate, but not great--but was an excellent "pastor" by which I mean shepherd--he got his hands dirty (literally) helping others, he was there for people who needed him--he was dearly loved and greatly missed when he left after 12 or so years, but I honestly couldn't tell you one sermon he preached. (in my mind there are "preachers" and there are "pastors" and rarely are they both in the same person.) I guess if I had to choose, I'd choose to have a good "pastor" than a good "preacher," because a preacher is once a week, and a pastor is all the time. BTW, Laz, I don't think that your "jeans" sermon is exactly what Wonbae is talking about, though I daresay he probably would not have liked the sermon. You were making a point. However, there are places where a pastor wearing a coat and tie will be very uncomfortable if he insists on wearing them--a lot of the churches in HI are not air conditioned (at least the ones on Kauai and the ones on Oahu I visited), and aloha wear is considered dressy--yet a lot of mainland preachers feel very uncomfortable without their tie and coat, and will stand up with red face and sweat straming down, insisting that they be "proper" when everyone in the congregation is wondering why they insist on dressing that way! Anyway, that was a digression--back on topic now! M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleverdics Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> lazarus said: Hey I read your letter The spirit has just confirmed to me something that God has been teaching me in my ministry in the last 10 months. <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> Thank you so much! This is proof to me that God exists, cares and communicates with us. I need to know this <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> I celabrate you new appointment and ask God to keep you focused on Jesus, everyday <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Quote Being Christian is really simple. Look after your family and your mates, feel sorry for the idiots and leave the rest up to God. She'll be right mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Koot Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> lazarus said: Any words of wisdom as I enter a my new distict. They can be lighthearted, serious, off the wall, feel free. <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> Jesus is coming soon, and it is the privilege and opportunity of those whom God calls to full-time ministry, to help prepare His people to be ready to meet Jesus. Every sermon should include an appeal, a call for a decision. Every sermon should also lift up the Lord Jesus Christ, and point the people to Him. If challenging issues come up, stand for the right. At the same time, welcome input and feedback, and let people know how important it is to you personally, to honor God and do the right thing. Having sought counsel and listened, take it all to God in prayer, and make a decision which will honor God, first and foremost. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whbae Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 lazarus, First of all, I am disappointed in you for preaching wearing jean. This is the kind of attitude showing disrespect to God. When one attends a party, eats out, and attends a wedding ceremony one gets dressed up, yet, one enters the house of God to worship the Lord one does not wear what best cloth one has. This is not an acceptable behavior no matter how one looks at it. If one does not have a nice cloth then, it is a different matter. Let me ask you, what were you thinking when you went up to the podium in your jean to worship God and preach His message to the congregation? Do you not have other clothes than jean? If so, I forgive you, otherwise it is not good. The other matter is the spiritual factor. Jim Symbala, a minister at the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church wrote in one of his books, he always schedules his work plan such a way that he always conducts midweek prayer meeting on Tuesday evenings, even if he was out of town he would come back for the meeting. Some times he has more people in this prayer meeting than Sunday service, he stated. He emphasized that it is a dead church if there is no midweek prayer meeting, I feel this is very true. How many do sda churches have this prayer meeting during the week? They rather have a night out and gather at some one's house to eat. How can a minister afford taking every Sunday to take the members to the beach during summer season for social purpose? How can the sda church who is up front with health message urge the members to have an evening out for ice cream social at a local ice cream stand? This does not mean I do not eat ice cream. This is a private matter. When a church does it as a group this equals to sanctioning eating ice cream. Even the secular health consciouos people recommand against ice cream. How can the so called health reformers sanction this kind of behavior! A spiritual leader is the one not only preaches the Bible truth, but also should be able to take up the current issues of the society and lead the congregation to the right direction by feeding the congregation where we stand as a denomination. There is a time for social and time to feed spiritual food. One must balance this act efficiently. It is not easy, but nowadays the scale is tilting toward the former. Wish you God's blessing on your ministry! Some time ago, in our Sabbath school class I found out that the majority of the members come to church for social purpose! What a sad attitude. Won Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleverdics Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> whbae said: If one does not have a nice cloth then, it is a different matter. Let me ask you, what were you thinking when you went up to the podium in your jean to worship God and preach His message to the congregation? Do you not have other clothes than jean? If so, I forgive you, otherwise it is not good. <hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> Grace needs to become the heart and soul of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Where there is no grace, God is not dwelling there. Grace is to forgive the unforgivable. It goes beyond what is right. Jesus forgave the people who drove nails through Him. Whbae, I pray to God rigth now that you are filled with the Holy Spirit and given Grace in your heart. Quote Being Christian is really simple. Look after your family and your mates, feel sorry for the idiots and leave the rest up to God. She'll be right mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Hi Wonbae, You may want to check out the original thread discussing Lazarus' decision to preach in jeans for one sermon. I don't think he does this every Sabbath, just one time to make a point. You can find the thread here M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.