Forty Years of Ministry

Forty years ago today, on October 16, 1983, I was ordained to the gospel ministry at North Hills Baptist Church in Vallejo, California. Kneeling beside me during that Sunday night service was Brother Lonnie an African American pastor. What a joy it has been to serve the Lord and be a part of God’s big forever family. Most of the men who were a part of my ordaining council have gone on to the Lord. Pray that I stay faithful to the finish. It has been so good to know the Lord and serve him these many years.

How to Win Your Battle

General Omar Bradley once said "Amateurs talk strategy. Professionals talk logistics."

Leaders SERVE

• S - See the Future

• E - Engage and Develop Others

• R - Reinvent Continuously

• V - Value Results and Relationships

• E - Embody the Values

from Mark Miller of Chick-fil-A

Staying Enthused in Your Impossible Ministry

According to 1 Peter 5 a preacher, in addition to standing up front and presiding, is to simultaneously do two things

1. Take care of the people of God, this is the essence of a pastor

   • The flock near you

2. Keep an eye on the big things, a guardian, keeper, this is the meaning of overseer

   • Watch out for danger

   • Guide them to good pastures

Peter then instructed the pastors how to do the impossible task of service and leadership, being a helper and a leader.

1. Show enthusiasm (willingly and eagerly). But how can I be passionate? Remember the following:

   • We serve the the flock that belongs to God

   • We serve the church that was purchased with the blood of Jesus, Acts 20:24

   • We serve the church where the Holy Spirit has appointed us

   • We serve the church for which we will be judged

2. Set the example

   • Good shepherds lead from the front

   • We are to serve the church like Jesus serves us, 1 Peter 2:25

Conclusion

• We have a divine calling

• We have a divine stewardship

• We will have a divine judgment

• We have divine inspiration

Unworthy Pastors

Isaiah 56:10-12

Unworthy Pastors are

1. Oblivious to danger, v 10a

2. Unable to sound a warning, v 10b

3. Prone to laziness, v 10c

4. Greedy for gain, v 11a

5. Incapable of learning, v 11b

6. Self-indulgent, v 12a

7. Without vision, v 12b

Now let’s flip this list and restate them positively to show how good pastors should act.

1. Alert

2. Prophetic

3. Hard-working

4. Content

5. Teachable

6. Disciplined

7. Visionary

Contextual Leadership

“What we’ve been ignoring is this: great leaders become what their team needs them to be at that time.” ~ Rudy Doyle

A Leadership Requirement

Max Lucado said, “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd.”

John Maxwell on Leadership

“A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Timothy Keller

Preaching is not only explaining the text but also using it to engage the heart.

How to Evaluate New Ideas

When is a new idea good? And when is a new idea bad?

A new idea is good when it is God’s idea, see 2 Sam 5:23-25 (Have you sought the Lord through prayer? Has God led in this new direction?)

A new idea is bad when it violates God’s values, see 2 Sam 6:1-7 (He touched the ark. The ark had poles for carrying it.)