A good friend of Acorn Ministries directed me to the following list of questions in a Mars Hill Church publication called Resurgence. I am publishing the questions because I believe that they relate directly to Enduring Ministry. That is, our answers, as pastors, will indicate the quality and duration of our ministry. Please remember that we are defining Enduring Ministry is, “excellence in ministry over time”.
I encourage you to answer these questions on a piece of paper. Then go back through the questions and your answers and determine the impact each has on your Enduring Ministry.
From an article by Paul Tripp titled “29 Things That Shape a Pastor’s Ministry”
- What does he really love?
- What does he despise?
- What are his hopes, dreams, and fears?
- What are the deep desires that fuel and shape the way he does ministry?
- What are the anxieties that have the potential to derail or paralyze him?
- How accurate is his view of himself?
- Is he open to the confrontation, critique, and encouragement of others?
- Is he committed to his own sanctification?
- Is he open about his own temptations, weaknesses, and failures?
- Is he ready to listen to and defer to the wisdom of others?
- Does he see pastoral ministry as a community project?
- Does he have a tender, nurturing heart?
- Is he warm and hospitable, a shepherd and champion to those who are suffering?
- What character qualities would his wife and children use to describe him?
- Does he sit under his own preaching?
- Is his heart broken and his conscience regularly grieved as he looks at himself in the mirror of the Word?
- How robust, consistent, joyful, and vibrant is his devotional life?
- Does his ministry to others flow out of the vibrancy of his devotional communion with the Lord?
- Does he hold himself to high standards, or is he willing to give way to mediocrity?
- Is he sensitive to the experiences and needs of those who ministry alongside of him?
- Is he one who incarnates the love and grace of the Redeemer?
- Does he overlook minor offenses?
- Is he ready and willing to forgive?
- Is he critical and judgmental?
- Is the public pastor a different person from the private husband and dad?
- Does he take care of his physical self?
- Does he numb himself with too much social media or television?
- If he said, “If only I had [ ],” what would fill in the blank?
- How successful has he been in pastoring the congregation that is his family?
Tripp concludes this list with the following thoughts:
You see, it is absolutely vital to remember this: A pastor’s ministry is never just shaped by his knowledge, experience, and skill. It is always also shaped by the true condition of his heart. In fact, if his heart is not in the right place, all of the knowledge and skill can actually function to make him dangerous.
I would love to hear about your insights regarding this exercise. Please post your thoughts here or email me at Lon@AcornMinsitries.com
