When a pastor compares himself to another
pastor, it usually leads to discontentment. When
a pastor has unrealistic expectations about his
future, it may lead to extreme disappointment.
Finding your future as a pastor can be difficult.
When you talk about it with others, it can place
you in a vulnerable place. This is one reason we
are reluctant to talk about the future, but it can
also be because we fear others will
misunderstand us.
Sooner or later, a pastor has to come to these
four resolutions in order to find his way to the
future.
Resolution #1: God will take care of your
future.
We need to do all we can to be available to God
and always do what is necessary to improve
ourselves. But above all, through it all and after
it all, we have to know God will take care of our
future.
He has the power to put us down and He has the
power to lift us up. He has the power to place us
where He desires us to serve.
The bottom line pastor, is this: God will take care
of your future.
Resolution #2: Be aware of who you really
are.
A lack of self-awareness will lead you to major
problems. Many pastors do not have an accurate
picture of who they really are as a person and a
leader.
Be aware of your strengths. What are they? Not
simply how you see them, but the way others
see them. Be aware of your weaknesses, not
only from your own perspective, but also from
the way others see you.
A geographical change that a job or calling may
bring does not change what your strengths and
weaknesses may be in your life and leadership.
Resolution #3: Know your God-given gifts.
God has given you gifts to use and develop to
help you build up the body of Christ. These God-
given gifts do not need to be ignored, but
embraced fully. However, just because we love
God and want to serve Him passionately does
not mean we are gifted to do everything.
What are your spiritual gifts? Are you developing
these gifts? Are you using these gifts to build up
the body of Christ?
Your future is about how you can best be used
by God with the gifts you have in order to make
the greatest impact for the Lord.
Resolution #4: Go where God can use you in
the greatest way.
Wherever you are and wherever you may go,
make sure you find the place in your future
where God can use you in the greatest way. Is
He doing it where you are? Can He do it where
you are? In order to be used of God in the
greatest manner, you must embrace each of
these questions.
Here is what I know: If God is not using you in
the highest manner where you are, He may not
entrust you with another place of ministry. This
is why we must learn to be comfortable in our
own skin. We must also realize that God may
not raise us to do anything different or give us
an opportunity for ministry in the way we desire.
Pastor, I know God wants to use you. Pursue
Him personally. Place your “yes” on the table to
God. Leave to do whatever He may call you to
do. Stay if His will is for you to minister where
you are long-term.
Pastor, leave it all in the hands of God. He has
you covered.
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