Comments on: Practical Thoughts on an Enduring Ministry (Part 1) http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ten Tips for an Enduring Ministry at PastorResources Blog - Beta http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8197 Ten Tips for an Enduring Ministry at PastorResources Blog - Beta Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:59:32 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-8197 [...] Read the posts at Pulpit Magazine: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. [...] [...] Read the posts at Pulpit Magazine: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. [...]

]]> By: Rev Bill » Blog Archive » More Posts About Ministry http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8174 Rev Bill » Blog Archive » More Posts About Ministry Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:10:56 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-8174 [...] Here are some of the points made: 1. Don’t arrive unless you plan to stay 2. Learn to be patient. 3. Don’t be afraid to change. 4. Study to know God, not just to make sermons. 5. Be thankful and be humble. 6. Don’t lose sight of the priority. 7. Expect to work hard 8. Trust the Word to do its work. 9. Always depend on the Lord. 10. Don’t leave just to leave. [...] [...] Here are some of the points made: 1. Don’t arrive unless you plan to stay 2. Learn to be patient. 3. Don’t be afraid to change. 4. Study to know God, not just to make sermons. 5. Be thankful and be humble. 6. Don’t lose sight of the priority. 7. Expect to work hard 8. Trust the Word to do its work. 9. Always depend on the Lord. 10. Don’t leave just to leave. [...]

]]> By: Maria http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8007 Maria Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:43:35 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-8007 Our pastor recently resigned after 6 short years. Many in our congregation say that we were spoiled that our previous pastor served almost 25 years, and accept this recent resignation as the norm as your statistic states. At this time as we seek new leadership, we have an interim pastor. In the 6 years he was with us we sold our church property and purchased land to build a new church. Now a new pastor has to come in and lead our congregation in a building program. We loved our pastor and were just beginning to feel secure after many trials and tribulations in our body. Now many feel angry, hurt, and distrustful(of men). We will survive because we put our ultimate trust in our God; however,I also believe this is a disruption of unity. Thank you Rev. McArthur for putting words to my thoughts. I will use your message to pray more specifically for the man of God's choosing for our body. Our pastor recently resigned after 6 short years. Many in our congregation say that we were spoiled that our previous pastor served almost 25 years, and accept this recent resignation as the norm as your statistic states. At this time as we seek new leadership, we have an interim pastor. In the 6 years he was with us we sold our church property and purchased land to build a new church. Now a new pastor has to come in and lead our congregation in a building program. We loved our pastor and were just beginning to feel secure after many trials and tribulations in our body. Now many feel angry, hurt, and distrustful(of men). We will survive because we put our ultimate trust in our God; however,I also believe this is a disruption of unity. Thank you Rev. McArthur for putting words to my thoughts. I will use your message to pray more specifically for the man of God’s choosing for our body.

]]> By: DerekW http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7979 DerekW Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:45:19 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7979 I too commend those who are committed to the body they are called to serve. [2Tim.4:5, 1 Thes.3:7, 2Cor.6:3-11] This is a personal committment to individual believers that are personally known (and loved) by the pastor. I am not currently a pastor, but the Lord is shepherding my heart. Pray for me. I would also pray for the same committment from the body of believers, many of whom transplant themselves from one local body to another. What kind of unity is transient unity? Ours should be a zealous caretaking of one another wrought by the love we have found in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Pastors, believers... serve your God fully. I too commend those who are committed to the body they are called to serve. [2Tim.4:5, 1 Thes.3:7, 2Cor.6:3-11] This is a personal committment to individual believers that are personally known (and loved) by the pastor. I am not currently a pastor, but the Lord is shepherding my heart. Pray for me.

I would also pray for the same committment from the body of believers, many of whom transplant themselves from one local body to another. What kind of unity is transient unity? Ours should be a zealous caretaking of one another wrought by the love we have found in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Pastors, believers… serve your God fully.

]]> By: donsands http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7970 donsands Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:02:23 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7970 "Taught the Word, and stayed put" Dr. MacArthur is a fine example to the Body of Christ as a pastor after God's own heart. Thank you for being committed to your Dad's words. I believe C. H. Spurgeon stayed in his local church for quite a few years as well. “Taught the Word, and stayed put”

Dr. MacArthur is a fine example to the Body of Christ as a pastor after God’s own heart.
Thank you for being committed to your Dad’s words.

I believe C. H. Spurgeon stayed in his local church for quite a few years as well.

]]> By: Seth McBee http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7968 Seth McBee Mon, 12 Feb 2007 18:44:38 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7968 something that we all need to hear. when I first became the youth pastor at my church someone told me, "you know the average youth pastor lasts for 2 years, how long are you going to be hear?" I responded by saying that I have already checked how many children we have in the first grade and who they were so knew what to expect in the coming years. the point is that I planned on, and continue to plan on, being at my church for a long time and used for whatever purpose God has. People don't really believe me as I can see, but I guess they have probably heard the same thing over and over, so only time will be on my side... thanks for the reminders... something that we all need to hear.

when I first became the youth pastor at my church someone told me, “you know the average youth pastor lasts for 2 years, how long are you going to be hear?”

I responded by saying that I have already checked how many children we have in the first grade and who they were so knew what to expect in the coming years. the point is that I planned on, and continue to plan on, being at my church for a long time and used for whatever purpose God has.

People don’t really believe me as I can see, but I guess they have probably heard the same thing over and over, so only time will be on my side…

thanks for the reminders…

]]> By: Philip http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7963 Philip Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:54:24 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7963 Timely! Crucial! This article has been a great blessing and challenge to me especially on this day. God Bless, Philip Timely! Crucial! This article has been a great blessing and challenge to me especially on this day.

God Bless,
Philip

]]> By: Frank Emrich http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7956 Frank Emrich Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:48:17 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7956 I could not agree more to what Dr. MacArthur is saying. I am now in my 25th year of being the pastor of a wonderful church in Sumner Washington. There are so many wonderful and exciting benefits of staying a long time; watching several families grow mature in the Faith, doing weddings for what were once children in our church, and yes even the privilege of conducting funerals for long time members (making the prospect of heaven even more enjoyable). By far the greatest benefit is the privilege of teaching the whole counsel of God. There are tough times to be sure but its all worth it. When my wife and I were offically "installed" Dr. Sprague conducted a "wedding service" and that has meant so much over the years. My unsolicted advice to young men would be "stay" even when things are tough. The people whom you shepherd need to see that you are committed to them and won't abandon them. I could not agree more to what Dr. MacArthur is saying. I am now in my 25th year of being the pastor of a wonderful church in Sumner Washington. There are so many wonderful and exciting benefits of staying a long time; watching several families grow mature in the Faith, doing weddings for what were once children in our church, and yes even the privilege of conducting funerals for long time members (making the prospect of heaven even more enjoyable). By far the greatest benefit is the privilege of teaching the whole counsel of God. There are tough times to be sure but its all worth it. When my wife and I were offically “installed” Dr. Sprague conducted a “wedding service” and that has meant so much over the years. My unsolicted advice to young men would be “stay” even when things are tough. The people whom you shepherd need to see that you are committed to them and won’t abandon them.

]]> By: Moises http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7955 Moises Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:47:23 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7955 Thank you so much for this great advise, i'm not a pastor, but i'm sure God wants to use me as an instrument in the ministry, and one of my desires is to serve him full time in the place he is going to take me. I'm studying to be a pastor, and as every pastor (i hope), i want to serve God for a long time y the same church. Thank you so much for this great advise, i’m not a pastor, but i’m sure God wants to use me as an instrument in the ministry, and one of my desires is to serve him full time in the place he is going to take me. I’m studying to be a pastor, and as every pastor (i hope), i want to serve God for a long time y the same church.

]]> By: Whyte Stonne http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-7946 Whyte Stonne Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:22:46 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/02/12/ten-keys-to-an-enduring-ministry-part-1/#comment-7946 Excellent advice. Decades ago the Methodists used to rotate their pastors every two years like clock-work, which did not contribute to healthy church life. Now they take a much more long-term approach to the tenure of their ministers. I believe that people like C. Peter Wagner at Fuller have also determined that longer pastoral tenures are healthier for churches than short ones. It frequently takes 10-15 years for all the factors in a church to gel, making a vibrant, healthy congregation. I like how Rev. McArthur is fleshing out some of the reasons for this. Excellent advice. Decades ago the Methodists used to rotate their pastors every two years like clock-work, which did not contribute to healthy church life. Now they take a much more long-term approach to the tenure of their ministers.

I believe that people like C. Peter Wagner at Fuller have also determined that longer pastoral tenures are healthier for churches than short ones. It frequently takes 10-15 years for all the factors in a church to gel, making a vibrant, healthy congregation.

I like how Rev. McArthur is fleshing out some of the reasons for this.

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