If I were a minister again, I would set some objectives for myself. Nothing new, nothing startling, but they would give a new meaning to life and ministry. These objectives would not be exhaustive, but they would cover personal, relational, and professional aspects of a pastor's life.
In my personal life, I would:
Be honest. There are ministers who believe they can get by with lies. We bring reproach on our Lord when we lie, or distort truth, or pass on unsubstantiated rumors. How many careers have been changed or destroyed by a careless remark in a committee! If we tell the truth, we don't have to remember what we said.
Learn to forgive, and practice forgiveness. Since the church has a difficult time forgiving a minister, I would try to set an example. If we don't practice it, what effect will preaching it have?
Get my priorities in order. The goal of ministry is not to get promoted to the conference office, or to get recognition for one's self, or even to retire with a good income. It is the saving of souls for the Master.
Personally practice obedience to God. Then I can relate to the experiences of others who are doing the same.
Use my time more wisely. I would manage it, rather than become a victim of it. I would not prepare sermons on Friday night, or between Sabbath school and church.
Not compare myself with other ministers. I would forget about the "track to success" (whatever that is). Each of us is a unique individual with special talents. Like you, I have classmates in the General Conference. Asking our selves "Why him and not me?" is a waste of time and emotional energy.
Remember that the Lord said, "Come apart and rest a while," I usu ally "come apart" and then have to "rest a while." The difference is important. The Lord has the Holy Spirit and angels to help do the work. We don't have to do it all by ourselves. We don't have to try it alone and lose our health.
Not trade cars as often. If I could have the money (and time) I lost trading cars, I would have more to show for my labors. We give a message to church members no matter how good a "deal" we got. I lost more than I gained when I was a principal and got a fantastic "deal" on a Buick Riviera. When I talked about sacrifice, nobody listened but they did look.
Be aware of the cost of my house and the neighborhood it is located in. Many times I lived much better than most of my members. They noticed. By high-style living, we give a distinct message that the Lord is not coming soon, and until He does, we want to be as "comfortable" as possible. And when the time comes to leave it all behind, we may not leave.
Understand that I have a lot to do with my people's tithing habits. I hear the lament that members are sending their tithe to outside organizations or non-ministerial church bodies. If this happened to me, I would fall to my knees and ask the Holy Spirit to show me how my methods and practices are causing the people to lose confidence in me and my ministry. I believe that when we are honest in all our dealings and relationships, and we are open and above board, the people will respond with their financial and emotional sup port.
Not allow my retirement to be the motivating factor in my work. I realize retirement is important, but if everything I do is slated to my retirement, why should my members do better than I do? Ministers who preach the soon return of Christ but can't wait to retire, get an RV, travel, and "have some fun" are a disgrace to the ministry.
Listen to what is discussed at potlucks. What do I talk about at potlucks? If conversations are centered on travel, interest rates, investments, cars, houses, sports, etc., it would seem that Jesus isn't getting equal time.
In my relational life, I would:
Accept my responsibility as a leader. It is unbecoming a leader to make excuses, hide behind circumstances, and cop-out. We are stand-ins for Christ.
Lead rather than push my people.
Not make promises that I cannot or will not keep. Nothing upsets a congregation more than the perception of broken promises. Our word is our bond.
Spend time with my wife and children. It is a tragedy how many minister's children leave the church because of neglect and criticism. Need I mention the D word?
Engage my wife's services to minister to the women of the church. No man can be all things to all people. A fringe benefit is less temptation.
Communicate with my people. If they know what I'm trying to accomplish, they may choose to help. But silence breeds suspicion. Some of us are accused of making a power play when, in fact, we are just the quiet type.
Not embarrass anyone in the service(s) of the church. No one should fear exposure or embarrassment in God's house. Let the Holy Spirit do His work.
Know my congregation by name. Church too large? Plant another nearby! I received a call from a minister who said, "I think I missed you last Sabbath." I'm sure he did. And maybe next Sabbath, too.
Spend time with the living. What did Jesus mean when He said, "Let the dead bury the dead"? In some churches if you want personal attention from the minister you have to have money, be politically important, or deathly sick.
Encourage people as well as challenge them. Some members are barely hanging on. Should the church really shoot/destroy its wounded?
In my professional life, I would:
Turn my church into a huge sup port group. Everyone singles, seniors, parents, youth, substance abusers, the poor is in need of sup port, and the church can minister to them.
Stop "using" my congregation to get ahead professionally. The goals set by the church should be with soul-winning in mind, not promotions for the pastoral staff.
Continually groom myself to keep my present job. The greatest thing I can do for God is to be my best at what I am doing. I should be more near sighted than farsighted. Ministers are subcontractors. God is the prime con tractor.
Reflect Christ in my ministry. I would not let my own ego, arrogance, vanity, or pride take the place of Christ.
Be in my own pulpit. I would avoid too much running to and fro at tithe-payers' expense. How can I maintain a continuity in my church' s growth if I'm not there?
Preach loving, practical, truth filled sermons. Dr. E. C. Banks once told a public speaking class that "when there is a fire in the pulpit, the people will come to watch it burn." There are many sermons that are no more than smoldering embers. And sometimes one suspects the minister is the one who is "smoldering."
Preach the Communion sermon at least a week before the service. People may need time to write a letter or make a " call or a visit. Let's not drive them to leave during the break. Let's help them get the blessing of the service. Don't play any tricks. Have music in the sanctuary for those who choose neither to participate nor to leave.
Strengthen moral values. I do not have to experience sin to preach against it. What I read, how I am entertained, where I go, what I think do make a difference. I can trace trends in my life, as can we all. Spiritual death is usually not an instantaneous situation. It is a gradual decline caused by poor choices along the way. As a minister I am called to set a moral example to myself, my family, and my church.
I wish I were the person I am describing.
