Lessons of a Young Pastor

From Voice, Nov/Dec 2013. Used by permission.

I have the humbling opportunity to serve our Lord as a local church pastor in York, Pennsylvania. The church the Lord has brought into my life is currently a growing, family-friendly country church, positioned between historic towns and thriving farmland. But God’s work in my life to bring me where I am today started many years ago. I was raised in a pastor’s home, and was able to watch and observe my father as God used him to lead a local church. I saw him have good days and bad days, and learned from him many things which I incorporate into my own ministry.

However, when I realized the call of God in my life to become a local church pastor as well, I thought I knew it all. After all what else is there to learn that I have not already observed growing up in a pastor’s house? Naively I thought to myself, “this is going to be easy…it’s all I’ve ever known.” I was wrong, and the Lord taught me early, and often, lessons to mature me in my ministry.

As I grew in the real world of ministry I have learned life lessons along the way. I have encountered happy surprises and blessings, and have persevered through the challenges that “come with the job.” I would like to share some of those with you.

Happy surprises

A deeper passion for the Word of God

Studying in order to prepare for a sermon, to teach a Sunday school class or small group Bible study have required me to dig deeper into the Word of God than I ever have before. One of the benefits of being forced to appropriately study the Word of God each day and each week is the biblical truth that I am being challenged with daily. Paul writes to Timothy and says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). I have learned that diligence in study leads to an accurate handling of the Word of God. And that is a growing passion of mine.

A wonderful helpmate

God in His sovereignty has brought into my life a wonderful woman and life-long ministry partner. I met Emily Rummel my sophomore year at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. As the Lord led our lives together in love and grace He also prepared her for ministry. She never dreamed of marrying a pastor or of ministering alongside one in a local church, but God showed her that all she had to do was be faithful in service while being herself. She was nervous because she did not play the organ or speak at women’s conferences. She had never taught a women’s Bible study or directed a choir during a Christmas cantata. But that was not what God had in mind for her (at least at this point). Emily has been by my side giving appropriate counsel, loving encouragement, and a cheerful response in almost every situation. That is what God knew I needed in a life-long ministry partner and wife. She has been a great helper in the ministry and I am very grateful for this blessing from God.

A time of growth in wisdom

At the age of 23 I was given the uniquely humbling opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for FIM (Fellowship International Mission). There I have had the ability to learn from and seek the counsel of many godly men, while seeing the Gospel of Jesus spread throughout the world in obedience to the Great Commission.

I am also involved in my IFCA Regional. This has proven to be one of the greatest blessings in my young life of ministry. At these meetings I can talk to, ask questions of, and gain godly insight from being around more experienced and wiser men. I am thankful for the IFCA, which stands on truth and purposes “to enhance the strength of the Church by equipping for and encouraging toward ministry partnerships to accomplish Great Commission objectives.” These resources of ministry partnerships have benefited me greatly.

A community of believers

As we look at the early church in the book of Romans we see that they were “devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:9b). 1 was involved in church from birth and experienced a lot of things by attending Bible studies, Sunday school, prayer meetings, and worship services. But it was a wonderful blessing and surprise to see the Body of Christ at its best from a leadership perspective. Being a pastor can be a lonely calling at times, however I am constantly reminded that I am not alone as I minister, nor should I be. The community of believers among whom God has placed us has often been our strength when times are difficult. They comforted us when we were discouraged. They rejoiced with us and laughed with us at life’s favorable moments. They battled with us when we needed some soldiers alongside of us in the trenches. They have made being their pastor an absolute joy and an unforeseen blessing.

Challenges

Working with volunteers

As much of a blessing as it is to serve amidst a community of believers, one of the challenges I have found in the ministry is leading that same army of volunteers. I learned quickly that the advantages of paying an employee are not mine. I cannot motivate a Sunday school teacher to be punctual by threatening to lower their pay. I cannot prompt an usher to make sure he does all of his responsibilities by rewarding him with a Christmas bonus. I work with volunteers who love the Lord, but are sometimes less than dependable.

Opinionated and overly critical people can lead to discouragement and frustration as well. And I am often reminded by Scripture, “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” As a minister of grace and truth I must lead in love. The Apostle Paul continues to characterize this type of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as “patient, kind, not proud, does not keep a record of wrongs, bears all things, and endures all things” to name a few characteristics of this love. Although working with an army of volunteers can bring about frustration, I love them deeply, and am so grateful for their willingness to actively serve our Lord.

Administrative tests

There is a real danger for pastors to become lazy. In a sense, there is no one to hold you accountable administratively. You have the freedom to choose your hours, to choose your location of work, and to cut corners administratively. However, when you are slack in administrative skills it is noticed, and others will follow your undisciplined way of life. If you do not resist the temptation of slothfulness, after a while your leadership will take your church down the path of becoming an undisciplined and undependable church. It is so important to live a disciplined life when you are leading others.

Husband, father, and pastor

A challenge that I never realized before was the balancing act required in being a fully committed pastor and an entirely devoted father and husband. I knew the three commitments in my life could and should be balanced, but learning how to do this has been critical in my life. Many men in ministry inadvertently neglect their family in order to help others, and have reaped the consequences of rebellious children and bitter wives. I will not allow this to happen, and so I have learned to make certain sacrifices in order that my wife feels loved, my children feel like dad is there for them, and my church feels ministered to.

Leading in humility or reigning as dictator

Early in my ministry training I had the fantastic opportunity to be involved in a weekend local church ministry. This meant I was a part of a team that would travel to a church and serve the in any way that would assist their ministry. One of the things I noticed right away was the leadership style of the pastor of that congregation. He was more of a dictator, and what he said went. Every family event, every church opinion, and every social gathering had to be approved by him. Perhaps his leadership style was due to his aggressive pride. It can become easy for a pastor of a small church to reign as dictator instead of leading in humility. When we look to Christ as our Lord and Leader, we see that His leadership style was one of service and selflessness. He had compassion for the lost and hurting. He washed the feet of His disciples and preached a message of humility. Jesus Christ, our model for leadership, led in humility considering the needs of others in service, and we are to do likewise.

Holding the office of pastor carries with it a certain degree of respect and if allowed, that respect can be elevated to the point of sinfulness as your congregation wrongly follows you first and then Christ. It is easy to allow others’ respect and high regard for you to inflate your ego and pride. The lesson I am continually learning is that when you lead in humility you optimize the opportunity to allow God to receive the glory instead of yourself.

Inexperience and youthfulness

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). My inexperience and youthfulness was seen as a reason for many to be uncertain about following my leadership. Even if I said all the right words, and quoted the appropriate Scriptures at the appropriate time, I had not gained credibility. I was lacking experience. Then God allowed me to experience some of life’s tribulation, pain and grief. As I walked through the trials of life, the eyes of my congregation were upon me. How my family and I responded to difficulty, trusting in God’s sovereignty, has earned the trust of my congregation.

The way to overcome inexperience and youthfulness is to live in faithful obedience to God for all to see—especially, when life is less than ideal. That is what Paul speaks of when he tells Timothy to “set an example for those who believe.”

God has taught me many lessons as a young pastor and I am excited and humbled at what God will continue to teach me in the future. It is a humbling and wonderful opportunity to serve our Lord as a local church pastor.