I want to be a better pastor.
I’m always doing everything I can to put more tools in my pastoral tool belt. I read the best books I can find, I seek out wise counsel, I take classes and go to seminars. All of these practices have helped me become a better pastor—some more than others.
But along the way, I’ve discovered that there are a handful of things many of us strive for that will do nothing to make us better pastors.
I’ve also discovered a list of things that we all know, but sometimes overlook, that will always make us better pastors—and people.
The first list is not exhaustive—it never will be. But I think the second one is. I offer both of them in simple lists because each one stands on its own.
What Will Not Make Us Better Pastors
- More people in our church
- More money in the offering
- A bigger building
- A bigger staff
- A better worship team
- A better website
- More invitations to preach/teach at camps, conferences and seminars
- Comparing ourselves with other pastors and churches
- An appearance on anyone’s list of biggest, greatest or most influential churches
Most of those things aren’t wrong in themselves. Many of them can be a blessing. But if you think you need any of them to have a better church or be a better pastor, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
What Will Make Us Better Pastors—and People
- A strong and growing relationship with Jesus
- A strong and growing relationship with our family
- A strong and growing relationship with our church
- A strong and growing relationship with people outside the church
The Basics Matter
Are you surprised by those lists? Probably not.
Disappointed by them? I hope not.
Are they worth reconsidering every once-in-a-while? For sure.
It’s easy to get lost chasing the newest, coolest or biggest thing. Or hanging on to old, stale methods. But nothing matters more than the Matthew 22:37-40” href=”http://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage.aspx?q=matthew+22:37-40″ target=”_blank”>Great Commandment and the Matthew 28:19-20” href=”http://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage.aspx?q=matthew+28:19-20″ target=”_blank”>Great Commission.
So what do you think? What would you add to the list?
