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40 Lessons from a 40-Year-Old Pastor (#1–#10)
Yesterday I turned forty years old. This week, I’ll share 40 things I wish someone would have told me when I was 20. (They probably did, but I wasn’t paying attention.)
- Life is short. Make every day count for God’s glory.
- Life is short. Don’t take it too seriously.
- Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Jesus cares more about the church than you do.
- You can’t please everyone…so why try?
- People will criticize you. Quit whining. Get used to it.
- Three months from now, you won’t even remember most of the things that are bothering you today.
- You can’t do it all. Stop trying.
- God called you because He is good, not because you are.
- If you blame yourself for the bad results in ministry, you’ll likely also take credit for the good results.
Do you resonate with any of these?
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Happy Birth-Day!
I resonate with all of those!
Especiallly how short life is.!
Happy B-day! Your “BeneFiber” is in the mail! Ha! Ha!:) For some reason reading these 10 things reminds me of something I learned in my “youth”… “STOP, DROP, AND ROLL! “
Stop: Smell the roses… Trying to drive the car…Investing (My life) poorly…Being so hard on Myself…The INSANITY!…etc…
Drop: The Junk! … “Cast Your Care”
Roll: Press ON! …Forget what lies behind… Roll in laughter (God wants us to ENJOY our lives… He didn’t send His Son to die on a cross for us to hate the ride!)
Oh! One more thing… RESPECT YOUR ELDERS! So, Thanks Craig for the inspiration!
Happy B-Day! Thanks for the reminders, every single one of these lessons speak to me.
All of them speak volumes but ones resonates in particular…
#9 - God called you because He is good, not because you are.
Very good reminder. Very.
Yeah, I resonate with 2,4,& 8. I especially like number 9. Way to many of us think God couldn’t do without us
#9 & #10 - Both these hit home the minute I read them. I am still early in my ministry (30) and I hope I will listen to advice from others now. I am looking forward to the other 30.
Happy Birthday!!!
Welcome to the other side.
These are so true above. #1, #5, #8. Simply are the ones I think are the hardest for me. Maybe not hard, let me say challenging.
I had to learn recently after a stroke last week at 41, you can’t please everyone. My purpose is to please God.
Life is too short, make something happen for His Glory!!
First of all, happy birthday.
Number 10 really resonates with me. It doesn’t seem weird at all to give God the credit for success, but it just kind of messes with me to “blame” God for failure. But it’s either God or it isn’t. If He’s the reason for the success, He’s the reason for the failure. I tend to give myself the blame for the failures way too often.
Sounds like a book. Everyone of them should have been told to me early on in ministry. I think the older you get you realize it is a marathon although I still think it’s a more like a cross country event or even an iron man contest every now and then.
Happy Birthday Craig!
I like #7 - a good and true reminder.
Craig, you are a great pastor and we appreciate your vision and leadership. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
# 6
[...] Craig is sharing some great lessons this week, many of which are one-liners in a series of posts entitled 40 Lessons from a 40-Year-Old Pastor. [...]
Happy Birthday Craig, this is going to be a great week of posts.
Let’s see which ones resonate with me:
#4-I forget sometimes that it is His church and He loves it more than I could or ever would
#5-Human nature tries to keep everyone happy, it is stupid but yet we keep trying, my goal right now is to go for broke on vision and let the chip fall where they may
#7-My Mom always told me “this too shall pass” right now things seem so major, but in a few months they will be forgotten, don’t sweat the small stuff, it is all small stuff
#9-Always a great reminder, it is all Him not me.
Thanks for these, I look forward to the rest of the list.
Great thoughts Craig and Happy Birthday. Your post made me reflect on a few things I have learned as a church member in the last few years…
It is not the responsibility of the church to grow me spiritually, it’s mine.
No church is perfect, so stop complaining.
Churches are led by people and they are just a messed up as me. My job is to encourage, pray and support them.
I share an equal (if not more) burden to grow the church than the church does. My job is to reach out and invite others.
If I am disappointed in a teaching on Sunday (and it is based on God’s word), it is likely my fault and not the pastors.
Tithing is serious business…so don’t become too casual about giving
First, Craig, belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You beat me to the big 4-0 by one year, two weeks.:)
Second, #3 and #4 absolutely resonate with me. It really is only within the last year that I have let the Lord shift me from a sprint mindset to marathon. And, I am grateful for it!
#4 is so true: the Bible says, I (the Lord) will build my church. We (humans) do not need to be the primary advocates, as if it fully rests on us.
Thanks, friend.
Happy Birthday Old Man!
I really love #10. It’s kind of my ‘Stay Humble’ mantra around the church…
Happy Birthday Craig! Thank you for your thoughts each day, and for taking time to “feed” others with your knowledge and wisdom. I am praying for you and your family each day, and I know God will continue to grow and change you. Thanks for your honesty this weekend….I love it that you are real and transparent. Thanks to God for all he does through you.
it is relieving to hear that God is good… because so many times i focus on how i am not. catch my drift?
p.s. happy birthday.
Happy B-Day! I thought you were well over 40 already. Hmmm..
Kidding
#5 You can’t please everyone…so why try?
#6 People will criticize you. Quit whining. Get used to it.
As a young Christian, these two things made me want to quit just about every day. It’s still a struggle from time to time.
bc
Happy Birthday!!!
You can’t do it all. People have been telling me that for the last two years. I heard them but I wasn’t listening. God had to literally knock me off my feet. Recovering from what the world calls ‘burnout’ (I choose to call ‘refreshing), is what finally got my attention. No. I can’t do it all and from now on, I’m not even going to try.
I’m really excited about this! As a 21-year-old in ministry I’m always ready to learn from those older and wiser… thank you for sharing!
Those are great reminders and SO true. Even MORE true when you’re 50! Happy Birthday!
[...] I was going through my RSS reader this morning, I came across this new series of blog articles called “40 Lessons From A 40 Year-Old Pastor” from Pastor Craig Groeschel of [...]
Thank you all for the “happy birthday wishes.”
I’m enjoying reading your comments!
Hope you had a wonderful birthday! How did the scavenger hunt go?
I can honestly say they all resonate with me! Especially 1,2,3,5,8,9. But I’m guessing when I turn 40, I’ll still have to keep those things in mind. God’s showing me that becoming the disciple I want to be (my ministry) is a marathon, not a sprint. And during the race, I have to focus on #9 and remember #5.
Thanks, Craig!!
We love you Pastor Craig, even if you’re kinda old now!
Number 9 hits me the most. I have to often remind myself that I’m not so great (sad, I know) and that all of my blessings and talents are God’s gifts. I’m excited about this topic!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks for all you guys do for Open and Network!
Blessings,
Randy Sparks
I turn 25 in two weeks, been in ministry for 2 and I read your blog daily. Thank you for continually “investing” in my life. Happy birthday and I hope God continues to bless you as He has been.
Since I struggle with being such an approval suck, number 5 resonates strongly with me. I have to remind myself that if I say Yes to someone, chances are I am saying NO to someone else. And if that YES is always given to someone in the church, chances are that NO is be given to my wife and kids. You can’t say YES to everyone. You will say NO to someone and chances are they won’t like you for it. Personally, I rather say NO to people in my church than saying NO to my family.
C- Man thank you for pouring into my generation of leaders. I don’t know if all 40 of your years have been spent doing this…but the ones that have are making a legendary impact. I heard you speak at the ARC conference this past year and was changed forever. Thanks for allowing God to use you to grow young leaders up. You are a living hero of the faith. Thanks bro.
Kevin Lloyd
happy birthday craig…mike.
As usual, amazing stuff. Thats for inspiring.
Hey Pastor Craig,
First and above all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! I am the Worship Pastor for a Network Church in Ada, Oklahoma. I definantly ID with several of your statements. The one that really hits me is
“People will criticize you. Quit whining. Get used to it.”
I am having to grow some thick skin and realize that it isn’t personal, just people. People by nature will criticize, so let them, and spend lots of time in prayer for patience. LOL !! I am really beginning to see why my father ( a former Presbyterian minister ) always made the statement, NO BIGGIE!!! and CONSIDER THE SOURCE !! I don’t necessarily agree with those statements completely however I do understand the concept. God has helped me to see that as a pastor we are “looked at” different. The “HIGHER STANDARD”. Although God and I know we are only human and we do make mistakes. So yes I just continiually pray for patience, and God has been faithful. This may be too deep for this thread but after reading it I wanted to share my thoughts. Blessings to you Craig.
happy birthday!!
man all of those are great. the one that resonates with me the most is “3 months from now you wont remember what is bothering you today.”
how true is that? but of course you get caught up in your emotions and get stuck there…but i wont remember why i was mad or why i was having a “rough day”
that is good advice. dont let things bother you that shouldnt…it is a waste of yours and others time.
thanks!!!
Happy Birthday! I’m just busting into my 30’s. Any lessons learned just in your last decade?? I definately resonate with #1. Leonard Ravenhill once said, “You have only one life and soon it will past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Wow!
First of all, Happy Birthday! I really connect with #6, particularly recently.
Thank you.
1. Life is short. Make every day count for God’s glory.
Seriously, we don’t have a lot of time left. As one teacher told me, “Don’t waste this opportunity.”
3. Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
One stranger told me, “Don’t rush it. Take your time.”
4. Jesus cares more about the church than you do.
Jesus loves the Church more than you do.
8. You can’t do it all. Stop trying.
If you do it all, you will fail.
9. God called you because He is good, not because you are.
Re: Moses
10. If you blame yourself for the bad results in ministry, you’ll likely also take credit for the good results.
If I get this in in time I will be the fortieth person to wish you a happy birthday on your fortieth birthday (Not that there’s any particular benefit to that, it’s just cool). Anyway, happy birthday, and most of those resonate with me.
Craig, can you expound on #2?
It seems a little ambiguous, and potentially misleading.
Happy Birthday Craig! I feel like I know you from reading your blog; however, I don’t know you at all but keep up the excellent work with the blog + Bobby. Ok, I really enjoy the first ten but the one I will really keep at the for front of my mind is “Three months from now, you won’t even remember most of the things that are bothering you today” because this will make life so much easier.
Craig, we (the Donaldson’s) love you! Happy Birthday!
Sincerely, I have learned and have been saved from some unnecessary pain and problems through your leadership. Thanks!
I can’t believe you are getting so old…I mean you look great but still…40!
#7 resonates - Just step back and get a bigger perspective. Most of the big issues won’t be issues in three months. Focus on the things that will matter in three months, in three year, or in thirty years.
I like your quit whining statement. I think the critical side of ministry surprises a lot of people when they get into it. But it is a reality, not everyone is going to like you. Although it is never easy it is good to know that you will be criticized. Thanks for the reminder.
I am very blessed by all your birthday notes. Thank you so much. It is very rewarding to have you all as blogging friends.
Mike said, “Craig, can you expound on #2?
It seems a little ambiguous, and potentially misleading.”
I agree. It should read, “Don’t take yourself too seriously.”
Well first of all Happy Birthday!!!! Since I “grew up” this year at 30 that means you are very much into your adulthood at 40, and have it all figured out now right??? lol 7 is my number so that must be my favorite, we truly won’t remember alot of our problems in 3 months but the things we do for God will remain with us forever, so we should make sure we do everything for his glory. yes I am trying to learning to do this, am gonna figure out how to apply it to my housework one day, lol You really do have a wonderful gift for the ministry and I thank God for the gift he gave us lifechurch.tv ers in your leadership and helping us become fully devoted followers of Christ, so Don’t work so long (much), but we appreciate all your hard work just get it done during a set amount of hours. We will grow in a healthy way and you can’t do it all cause we need work to do too…..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Great news! Big Day. Pity I didn’t know before. I would have celebrated it in some special way. Next year then.
Happy Birthday!! (be thankful you are not hearing me sing!!)
#1–working toward this one every day
#8–wish someone would have told me this the day I became a single mom!!
#9–on the flip side of that “God is THAT good, even if you’re not”
Great list so far…
CRAIG-O-NATOR!
Happy B-day from Michele and I. P.S. Don’t forget they are now recommending prostate exams at 40. Better get your appointment, buddy!
#5 - this displeases me very much. Thank you.
Happy Birthday old-timer!
Great stuff!
The cool thing about this, Craig, is that you are cool and doing cutting-edge, effective ministry while simultaneously allowing God, experience, and the input of others to continually shape your life.
Thanks for sharing what you’re learning and remember… “You’re only as old as you think you are.”
Paul
Happy birthday!
“God called you because he is good, not because you are.” I needed to hear that today. Thanks.
Craig, tonight I had one of those think - get angry - cry - heal - walk through the cold at night walks tonight. Your words from number 10 kept ringing in my ears.
I blame myself so much when I fail. I strive so much to “succeed.” Basically, so often I live life in a manner in which I don’t live in God’s grace. I feel worthless when I don’t succeed, and I feel so inadequate when I fail. It kills me.
Tonight was really a breakthrough night for me though, I think. Just realizing that even when I succeed, I’m still inadequate in myself. Even when I fail, God is just as involved as when I succeed. Basically, I’m finally realizing where I’m at in this area so that God can begin to move me to a point where I recognize him in both victory and defeat.
Thanks so much for your words this morning, Craig. You’re really a blessing.
Happy Birthday! I resonate most with the last one. I am inclined to blame myself when things go wrong in ministry so it is a good reminder that I am prone to do the opposite too (which is not a good thing). Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading the others
Happy Birthday Craig!
Man I just turned 28 and it always is helpful to hear these things, especially being young in the ministry.
Hmmm, 40 huh? Don’t let Kyle pull that prostate thing on you…he tried that with me when I turned 30! Happy Birthday!
For me #9 hits home pretty hard.
#5 allows me to care more about what Jesus is doing than what others think we should be doing
Oh, and the updated #2 makes me want to shut down my blog and just hang out with my wife…
happy birthday!!
[...] LifeChurch.TV pastor Craig Groeschel, entitled “40 Lessons from a 40-year-old-pastor”: 1-10, [...]
Great observations!
9 & 10 have incredible theological implications, Craig. Nice job in hitting these out of the park. It’s hard to communicate theologically and still be accessible and practical in the communication. You just said in 2 sentences what it has taken several chapters of one of my Systematic Theology books to say.
[...] would have told him when he was just starting into ministry. (You can read the segments of his list here, here, here, and [...]
#10 - Way too many times I’ve taken things gone wrong as a direct reflection on me. Somehow I knew that was wrong, but I couldn’t explain it. Thank you for shedding light on a self-focused attitude!
[...] Craig Groeschel shares 40 lessons learned from a 40 year old pastor. HT: Provocative Church [...]
Yeah I have been in parachurch ministry for about 11 years and at one point or another most of these have applied! For me however, #3 and #5 are most valid. I had to learn early one that I will never please everyone. My main focus should be to please the Lord. In Galatians He says that if we are to be His servants that we must work for him NOT for man. If we focus on that then we focus on pleasing the one who really matters, Jesus. As far as a marathon vs a sprint, if u can do the aboove well, you can hang in there for the full race, if not, you could become discouarged and not finish strong if at all.
#9…If we keep this perspective God will use us more and more to reach our lost and hurting world!
40 years old. remember when you thought that age was old! Great lessons we all learn either the hard way or the smart way.
Happy belated birthday!!!!