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40 Lessons from a 40-Year-Old Pastor (#11–#20)
Today, I’ll continue sharing 40 things I wish someone would have told me when I was 20.
- Become close friends with other pastors in your town (as many as you can).
- Your kids will be grown before you know it. Don’t sacrifice them on the altar of ministry.
- Your ministry isn’t your god. God is your God.
- You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.
- Studying for sermons doesn’t replace your personal time with God and in His word.
- Err on the side of generosity.
- Believe in people that others overlook.
- If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
- Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.
- Hire staff members that you like.
What speaks to you? Would you like to add some of your favorite thoughts?
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They “ALL” resonate and stick this morning! In my 20’s… knowledge like this would have “ricocheted” and then “reverberated” some where in outer space. (Lost in Space) I would add (something I read)… “Don’t go to the phone… Go to the Throne!”
I’ve only been a Christian for four years, I had a wonderful mentor during the first three. She taught me how to receive. I think that many Christians don’t realize that although it’s true, it is better to give than to receive, allowing yourself to receive is providing another the opportunity to give - to be blessed by God for giving. If we cannot receive, we are denying others the pleasure of giving.
This is good stuff!
#’s 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 & 20!
“Hire staff members that you like” Chemistry is oh so important. My boss says don’t hire anyone that you wouldn’t go on vacation with. Good advice!
#14 is right on
Shocked me to realize that this is just another form of pride.
(Pride: thinking too much–OR TOO LITTLE–of yourself; or, not receiving God’s love)
Jenn, I like the throne/phone one. I haven’t heard that in years. Thanks.
Hope, I didn’t know you were a relatively new believer. It is awesome you have a great mentor!
Scott, So are you going on vacation with your boss?
Mike C. 14 has always been a tough one for me. My wife spoiled me with tons of birthday surprises. It felt awkward even to receive from her. She worked so hard to make everything meaningful.
Craig,
How did God work in you with that (#14)? What, if any passages in the Bible did he show you? I’m curious as I am just as convicted.
Mike
#14, because I didn’t learn this lesson, I went through a period of major burnout (walk away from ministry burnout) I’m much better now, but still have trouble receiving from others, I’m not sure why, pray for me, I need to get better at this, I want to finish the race not get carted off on a stretcher.
Great insights Craig thanks for your wisdom.
Craig-Thank you. This list is POWERFUL!!! 13, 18, 19 are speaking to me the most.
#18: “Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.” This is a core value to me. I’ve said it differently, but it’s all the same. While I was in college a man said to me, “You must never forget or forsake your character and integrity. Your talents can take you to places where only your integrity can keep you.”
14…receiving is difficult…especially help! What…you mean I can’t do it all alone? i have learned to love receiving…but, it’s still hard sometimes!
19…i can’t add anything to that. it’s just so incredibly true. one person can affect thousands without even knowing it…both good or bad. sadly, bad news tends to spread faster and wider than good…integrity is something to fight for!
Mike, I am still working on learning to receive. Maybe some others can give you some direction on this one.
This one is VERY true:
You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.
It’s hard at first to receive when you think you are to ALWAYS be the pour-er (is that a word?) We’ve have to learn to be the pour-ee (again, a word?)
And for the record, we’d love to go on vacation with Scott and Lakendria…just haven’t planned it yet
#11 Hits me between the eyes. Thanks I needed that! Too many times I try to be an island. I need to change this.
#15 - This is what I have been telling other volunteer leaders and young leaders heading into ministry for years. I was trapped in this thinking for about 3 years. Luckily, God changed my heart and showed me the difference between studying, and just hanging out with God.
On becoming friends with pastors around town, I have been investing in that one over time without much return (calls, notes, emails). But I stuck with it and several days ago, a pastor from down the street dropped in unannounced and we just talked.
Stick with it.
13 and 19, no doubt!
God is our God. Pure truth, simple, yet so vulnerable to other, subtle “gods”.
Integrity can secure or destroy “bank accounts” with folks so quickly.
Thanks, Craig! Have a great day!
Craig, it’s like you’re watching me and it’s getting creepy.
I’m in my early 20’s and just took up the youth pastor role at our church. I’m going to print these and tape them all over my office/car/bathroom at home!
I’ve already read a few of these and thought, “Oh, well that explains a lot.”
#17 and #18—this is where my heart is and where I am being called–it’s exciting!!
Believe in people that others overlook.
Jesus was the best at this one…
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts! They are priceless to me!
I think I would add a little something to #11. Become close friends with as many pastors as you can from anywhere. One of the greatest blessings in my ministry life is all the pastors I have had the honor to get to know from around the country. I’ve been blown away over the years by how many pastors I’ve met that feel completely alone because they don’t have anyone to talk to about the struggles of ministry with. Being there for another leader is beyond rewarding.
#19 may be the most important of the 40! I’ll hold off until I read the others but wow that is the key to everything.
The 40 lessons are awesome Craig! I’m looking forward to the rest.
#11 is the big one for me. Seeing the “church” from different eyes and perspectives is huge. Plus the passion in some of these other ministers helps reignite mine.
It is comforting to see how many people identified with the same one as I. Does this make me normal then?!!
“You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.”
This one has a corollary: as well as learning to receive, learn to communicate what you need.
I am beginning to look at how much of the aloneness and sense of being without help which I experience comes from my own inability to ask, to let others know what I need, to believe that it is okay to ask and that someone will respond. I can also be so other-centered, ministering to the hurting and troubled around me that I put myself on hold too long and end up depressed and burnt out. Then I am no good to anyone.
So many of these resonate with me Craig. Something I’m going through right now as we are forming a launch team is #18.
If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
To often we are still trying to reach people with methods from the 80’s that have now become very inward focused. Although there are many churches that are breaking out of this mold, many, many, many churches are still stuck.
I don’t ever want to be stuck.
I love #14! I guess I just love receiving! :)Seriously, I cherish it when I am ministered to and loved on by those I look up to or even those who come out of nowhere and bless me. Allowing others to minister to us is vital. Soak it up and take it in.
18. I love this motto.
I also believe “if you want something you’ve never had you must do something you have never done.” - I live by this.
-Closer to God: Spend time with Him.
-Smaller Jeans: Go for a walk and put done that second serving.
-More closeness on your Baby Hall Team: Talk to them, encourage them and set an example (this is a stronghold)
and so on…
Be the change you want to see.
There has to be a story behind # 20.
Great advice, up to #20. I understand what you mean, but disagree with the way you phrased it. I think that decision depends on why “you” like them. If God is in the decision on both sides, then hire them. If that is why you like them, I agree with your statement.
#19… truth always wins. The Austins would like to jump on the band wagon as well and wish you a great big happy birthday. You are so very valuble and an amaizing leader. Thank you, Craig.
this is the kind of blog i take hold of.
Packet with experience and guidance.
“packed” would be a better word. Darn “T”
#17 resonates most with me - believing in those that others overlook is HUGE! You would think as Christians it would be easy but it is anything but easy. I’m definitely working on getting better at this particular truth
Forgive me I write so little: thank you Craig. (I’d like to be on your staff).
[...] #20 Craig Groeschel just finished a blog series, “40 Lessons from a 40 year old pastor“. [...]
“Believe in people that others overlook.” I so love this one Pastor Craig!
[...] have told him when he was just starting into ministry. (You can read the segments of his list here, here, here, and [...]
17 and 18 are my VERY favorite!!! This is what Jesus did. There is a great risk on MANY levels….but oh the joy when one who was overlooked is invested in and flourishes in their relationship with God and changes the world around them!!!! I am so grateful for those who invested in my life….