God doesn't like to repeat Himself. In fact, nothing in all of creation is a duplication. God seems to revel in his creativity. He delights in the uniqueness of every bird, every flower and yes, every human being. We all know this. We know that no two snowflakes are alike. Yet, if we know this, why does every new pastor look for another pastor to be like? Why do we discount our own uniqueness and gifts so quickly?
Why are we surprised God hasn't created any two pastors alike?
As soon as someone lets it be known they're considering going into the ministry, people start suggesting famous pastors or preachers the young minister should pattern their lives after. If we're not careful, we can end up being David in Saul's armor. Do you remember that story? When David tells King Saul he's going to fight Goliath, Saul offers David his armor. Saul was a much larger man than David so the armor swallowed David. By doing so, David lost every advantage he had over Goliath. I'm afraid we have too many pastors trying to dress up like some other pastor and losing the very gifts and characteristics that make them effective and unique.
I discovered this process in a painful manner.
When I started my journey into the ministry, all I wanted to do was preach. My hometown pastor, Brother G. D. Barrett, taught me to love words. He could make a sermon come alive. When I was a kid sitting in the pew, I knew that was what I wanted to do. The call to preach was how I understood the call to be a pastor. In fact, most people called me a preacher.
I soon found out that preaching was a cut flower without a discipleship process to weave the truths of Christ deeper into the lives of the congregation. Hearing the message for thirty minutes once a week wasn't enough for most people. In fact, it's not enough for any of us.
So, I had to learn about the process of discipleship.
Again, teaching the Bible wasn't enough. I had to understand how people learn. I needed to know how new habits are formed so that the new life in Christ could be formed on a daily basis.
As the church grew, I had to lead a staff. That means I needed to learn about administration. That's when I found out something else. While I was good at some things, I was awful at others. Not only did I not do some things well, I actually hurt the church when I tried to work in those areas. I served the church best when I worked in my gifts. The church worked best when I worked within my gifts. When I worked in those areas I was good at, I was happier and the church was happier as well. Here's what I discovered: when I was able to say, "Brothers and sisters, here's what I'm good at," the church affirmed that and then, the church was liberated to offer their own gifts to the work of the church. That's when the church was at its best. Here's something else I'm learning:
Most pastors never do the hard soul work of learning who they are.
They never claim their strengths. They never understand their weaknesses. Too many pastors wait for the church to define them and this ends in disaster. The pastor and church end up in a toxic codependent relationship. Every day we see the results of this in the failed pastorates and empty pulpits of our churches all across the nation.
A healthy church starts with a healthy pastor -- mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally healthy pastors. Healthy churches are never led by unhealthy pastors.
This is where the Engage Church Network wants to start -- with pastors.
We want to help them do the hard work of understanding who they are -- who they are created to be -- in Christ. We want pastors who are comfortable in their own skin so churches can be comfortable in theirs. Nothing is better than a church filled with people comfortable in who they are in Christ. It's one of the best gifts we can give the world.
If you want to begin the process of learning your pastoral DNA, let’s talk! You can email me at mike@engagechurchnetwork.com
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